Reviews of Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch. (Campground) in Phoenix (Arizona).

Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch

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399 Comments

Campground

Nature preserve

2757 E Guadalupe Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234, United States

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Information of Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch, Campground in Phoenix (Arizona)

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Reviews of Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch

Rachel Ewell

Amazing place! I was so surprised to find this beautiful oasis in the city. I actually saw more wildlife here than I’ve ever seen at the Desert Botanical Garden - it’s so beautiful and peaceful. Dog friendly (and cat friendly too - I saw one with a harness on going for a walk). Lots of facilities such as playground equipment for the kids and restrooms. Parking is easier at the library - the parking lot that google takes you to is just the small overflow parking lot. No entrance free - just make sure to leave no trace and don’t be a litterbug. Highly recommend!

Rikki Milbrandt

Fun walking trails. We walked about 2 miles arounds the park. It was easy terrain, all flat and either paved or dirt trails. Beautiful scenery and lots of baby ducks right now! So cute. The ponds are very pretty. Would definitely come here again.

Maria Isabel Ortiz

My son and I love coming here. There are some trails to walk which is nice. There are ducks, turtles,and rabbits you may come across while taking a walk around the trails and lake. Always see people fishing here. There are a couple small areas for the kids. They also have a few events for families, you just need to look it up. Very peaceful and pretty.

Vanessa Jurek

Nice walking/hiking/biking trails and a lot different birds to see. There were also many bunnies along the trails. The ponds have fish and turtles. Fishing is allowed. Many great places for photography. A great way to spend the afternoon outdoors!

Madison Lively

Absolutely beautiful! A wonderful place to walk around and see a variety of Arizona wildlife including waterfowl, rabbits, squirrels, lizards, tadpoles, and more! It's nicely accessible with paved paths and we'll maintained dirt trails. They're nice and wide and can be used by wheelchairs. They have a few fun activities for kids too!

hermilo guerrero

I googled water source near me and this popped up, took me straight to the website. I was pleasantly surprised by the beauty of this place. Wonderful spot for walking(comfortable dirt paths for people with bad knees), fishing, bird watching, cycling and pet friendly. If cycling stay on side walk. Lot of bird watchers pop out of places with expensive cameras 😉 I recommend keeping pets on leashes. Alot more wildlife than you'd expect. Also very kid friendly. There's a playground and two spots for future paleontologist. 😁

Colleen McBain

What a surprise - a beautiful tranquil oasis hidden from the busy city life of the greater Phoenix area and a refreshing contrast to the Arizona desert. Great place for a short nature walk, birdwatching, enjoying a sunset and meditating in nature. The huge white pelicans are so unexpected and deserving of a photo moment. Avoid weekends and holidays as it is popular with families and the main trails and view points get overwhelmed.

Anna L. Conti

If you like bird-watching (or small mammal sightings) this is a great spot to visit. Photography at sunrise and sunset is pretty spectacular, too. Some folks use the area as an exercise track, and what a beautiful place to do it! There are playgrounds for the kids, too.

Michael Nawrocki

I have been to this Preserve many times by now. It is always clean, and well maintained. I have been here on several occasions, always with others. We all have a great time whenever we go. There are so many beautiful spots to stop and enjoy. There are several spots where you can take photographs as well. My friends and I have held many photoshoots at this location. The spots around the lakes are amazing. I love the small area with the running water. Tons of trees everywhere so shading is good too. I have not been in the bathrooms, so I assume they are clean? But I cannot speak on that subject. This is a great place that is perfect for taking pictures, getting outdoors, and having a good picnic. I highly recommend going to the preserve to experience it for yourself.

Urban Redneck

Excellent walking trails lined with various plants, trees, and flowers. There are numerous stops to view mostly water fowl on small man made lakes. Several restrooms and even some tent camping spots are available. Only down side is the parking is pretty limited.

Chrissie O

I haven't been here in a long time, but it's still a great place to get some exercise and see some nature. I was there on a weekend so it was pretty busy, but not so much as to be unbearable. It was fun to see all the birds as we wandered around the ponds. If I lived closer I'd be here more often!

Barb Hauck-Mah (barbhmphilly)

We visited before 9am on a Sunday spring morning and the park was filled with visitors. We spent an hour and only visited 2 of the lake areas. The Preserve supports an amazing variety of birds. The birds must sense that it's a protected area. Birds were on the ground, resting near lakeshores and flying low and close to us humans. This was true even though the preserve had lots of leashed dogs with their owners, plus families with small children. The preserve is free and the parking area is free but small. We had to wait for someone to leave for us to park. There is an excellent public library and boardwalk areas on the grounds. There is a dedicated children's play area by the entrance and a small camping area.

Ghassan Abuelian

Great getaway from the city while in the heart of the city. There are even two camp sites inside which was interesting. Great for bird watchers and plenty of bird watchers are there sharing info on what birds they spotted. There are some wonderful views and it's a great place for nature

Autumn Hollingsworth

I feel like a lot more has been added since I was here last! There's a hummingbird and butterfly garden now! All the pollinators were hanging out! Very well maintained and not very dirty. Just nice pleasant place to visit :)

C. M.

Relaxing, nice atmosphere. You can see all kinds of wildlife, and feed the ducks (they ask for you to bring whole grain food, which is thoughtful). Nice place with strolling paths that are stroller and wheelchair friendly. Great place for photos. Dogs are allowed, but there are occasional issues with pet waste.

Marie Davis (WanderWoman)

This is a wonderful place to walk or bicycle the trails. There are lakes with lots of water birds, some I've only seen at the ocean! The trails are part sun and part shade. It was not crowded and we were alone for most of the time. There is beautiful scenery, turtles, birds singing, rabbits and squirrels. I enjoyed my morning here!

Chris Renshaw

I love this place. Large preserve, lots of wildlife, well kept walkways, informative placards explaining how the preserve works and benefits the ecosystem. Its adjacent to the library as well. Great spot for the whole family! The parking is on either side of the library, east or south. The southern parking is much larger.

Bevy V

My favorite little sanctuary to visit without the desert feel. They have different lakes surrounding the area with an assortment of beautiful birds. I see a lot of people bird watching during my stroll while I captured these views across the lake. No matter what the season, I suggest to visit while watching the sunset by one of the lakes.

Ciara V

Absolutely love taking my girls here! So much nature and sensory development to be had here. It doesn't feel like you are in the middle of the city. I absolutely recommend this place for morning walks, or just to take the kids. There's a library right next to it as well that you can take them to.

Kate S.

We love to take our pup and wander the many trails and walks. I love the boardwalk around the lake, the kid and dog like to explore the desert trails. Clean bathrooms, close parking, and a grassy area make it a great spot to get some nature in the middle of the city.

Petey2time

Great preserve, ton of cool and unique birds! There's an observatory on site available to the public from sunset to 9:30pm. Just wish there were water fountains for dogs or a bottle water dispense fountain. All in all, a great place - come early for best conditions.

Ronda Venable

My husband and I saw the sign for the preserve during a visit to Mesa and decided to check it out. I got some great photos (be sure to look up - hummingbirds and quail sitting in the trees!) and we enjoyed it so much we went again the next day!

Shannon

Beautiful hidden oasis in the middle of Gilbert. Multiple gravel walking paths, beautiful waterways, and an abundance of wildlife. It's so peaceful to go for a leisurely stroll and just take in the scenery. You feel like you've been transported out of Arizona without having to leave the state.

Kitty Carlisle

A very nice shaded walk. There's a paved trail around the pond/lake & also a dirt walking path. A few bicyclists, several people fishing, & lots of people walking dogs early on a beautiful Sunday morning.

T. “TBM” Marie

Awesome 😎 it was really cool. Some of the ponds were empty but it's Arizona so can't fault anybody lol. Very well kept and great for dogs. Highly recommend for all ages and skill levels …

Chris Keyes

I'm not a birder at all but have been to this park countless times just to walk around the ponds and check out the wildlife. It seems like you can spot something different each time. My favorite is probably the road runner. My wife likes to spot the feral cats hiding in the bushes. It's cool to see the large flock of white pelicans as well.

Dan Valiga

A nice little park area with mostly flat hiking and wandering paths around the watershed. Lots of birds and bench areas, popular with photographers. Several good cactus photo spots. Parking in the main lot is often full, but additional parking just down the road at the library.

Debbie Moe

This park is a nature preserve with hiking trails. It is a must see if you are in the Mesa area! There are so many varieties of wild life, especially birds to see. We saw a flock of pelicans and a flock of white Egrets, and we were close up to a beautiful Humming bird. You can hike as much, or as little, as you would like, and the trails are an easy walk. Ww loved it!

Jean Vander Heiden

What a beautiful place. Although there were plenty of people, the place is large enough that it is not noticable. It is unbelievable that there are as many small "lakes" as there is. The birds and waterfowl were plentiful and seemed to not be bothered by the visitors. Great place for photos.

Erica P

Such a nice little get away! My sister and I come here almost weekly now to recharge ourselves and be in nature. We saw a cardinal the other time we went, which was really cool! At one point we have quails, squirrels, rabbits, coots and ducks literally surrounding us lol. Felt like Disney princesses.

T Stoey

Beautiful preserve to walk around and take in nature. 3 large ponds to enjoy, with 1 dedicated to fishing. Tons of wildlife and species of birds. Also has an observatory, too! It's always very clean and a nice escape. Great place to bring the whole family, including dogs!

Jessica Ervin

Really beautiful park! It was awesome seeing all the wildlife & plant variations! The trails around are great but it can definitely get crowded here.

Karen Nielsen

What a treat to have this so close to my house. An easy walk with so much to see. Osprey, road runners, pelicans, ducks, geese, bunnies and great desert landscaping. You can feed the ducks, walk your dog or just take in the beauty.

Jhenna D Salas-Hernandez

Very beautiful area. We didn't really catch much lol while we were fishing 🎣🤠 we only caught a baby this last time around 😅we like to visit to feed the ducks and watch their BEAUTIFUL sunsets 😍

Tatum Aguilar

The scenery offered was beautiful and there were so many animals to be seen! I went in open sandals, too, and there was no change in where I could go. Highly recommend!

Orion “AlaskanGriz” Thrower

Great place for a hike and to get connected with nature. Parking gets filled up quick. I always park at the library. But we love walking in this area.

Lisha

My first visit. It was well marked and the paths wander around each of the seven ponds. Only one is for fishing. They have bathrooms in the middle of the park. Very unusual for a desert city. Lots of birds. We saw 3 white pelicans, lots of snowy egrets and more types of water birds. One rosebill that they have nick named Rosie. We saw her too.

Terri Bailey

Great place to walk and enjoy nature. There's a playground for kids as well. A little crowded, but it was also one of the first few nice days since the cold snap. Dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash. Lots of photographers around as well.

Nicole Anderson

Had a beautiful morning out walking with a friend. I love how it's laid out with lots of room! Even though there were a lot of people there it still felt like we had space ✨☀️🏜️ …

Taye Washington

One of our favorite places to take a nice morning walk. There are quite a bit of dragonflies in the area because it is a reserve, but they’re harmless and whizz right by. The animals are very friendly and the grounds seem to be very clean and well kept. We frequent daily when in the area and notice quite a few locals fishing in the area in the evening and just a few in the morning. There are restrooms and different trails to choose from. There are quite a bit of people that do use the trail of all ages but everyone seems very friendly, cordial, and respectful. The lake and trails are pretty quiet but filled with the sounds of nature.

Eddie Lewis

This is a genuine oasis in the desert. We were there to see a colony of love bird that we ended up not finding, but enjoyed seeing all the other wildlife. The biggest surprise was seeing pelicans, which apparently pass through the area on their migration route.

Karan Sharma

Very nice place to visit. Rare to find such a spacious natural preserve within an urban agglomeration. There are a lot of shaded paths due to the trees which is another plus given the Arizona heat.

Alex Nowowiejski

The family had a great time at the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch on Guadalupe Road in Gilbert, AZ. This preserve consists of 110 acres and has multiple types of areas ranging from marshland to desert land. There are 6 ponds and 1 lake, with the ability to fish in the Water Ranch Lake only. As per the website, there are around 289 species of birds, along with insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. As per the rules, the wildlife cannot be fed except for the Mallards (semi-domestic ducks) at the Water Ranch Lake only, and can only be fed bird seed, cracked corn or whole grain cereal. There are many gravel trails that go through the preserve. Horses are allowed but only on trails marked as such. There is also a floating boardwalk, viewing blinds, ethnobotanical garden, a dig site, hummingbird garden and butterfly garden, along with an observatory and hilltop outdoor classroom. There are even educational panels scattered throughout the area too. One cannot damage the plants, harm any wildlife or release any animals into the preserve. Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash and need to be picked up after. There are restrooms, picnic areas, ramadas and a play area for the little ones. As per the website, a ramada can be rented for $15 to Gilbert residents and $22.50 for non-residents. A small campsite (for up to 20 campers) can be rented for $30 to Gilbert residents and $45 to non-residents. A large campsite (for 20-35 campers) can be rented for $40 for Gilbert residents and $60 for non-residents. Lastly, one can rent the Dinosaur Dig Site can be reserved for $20 per hour for Gilbert residents, $30 per hour for non-residents and $40 per hour for staff facilited). We loved seeing the wildlife (ducks, egrets, hummingbirds and rabbits) and various different types of cactus up close, the kids had a blast in the dig site, and we all got some fresh air during the process. All in all, we will for sure be visiting the Riparian Preserve very soon.

Daniel Winter

Always enjoy walking the preserve. Never sure what you will see. Has benches along the paths for sitting and bird watching. Has restrooms in a few locations.

Alyssa Driscoll

Don’t miss one of the best hidden spots in Gilbert! Beautiful nature reserve. Lots of wildlife, cactus garden, educational information on native Arizona plants and wildlife, lake and bridge, areas to go fishing, public restrooms, lots of desert trails and photography spots. Go at night and you’ll be able to explore the small planetarium with a huge telescope and sometimes a local guide from the astronomy club.

Daniel Aubuchon

As an avid wildlife photographer who recently relocated from Iowa, I was delighted to find a place to shoot pictures of various waterfowl. This place has a great variety of ducks, herons, and various other birds.

I Cash

I was looking for a place to view the Arizona night sky with views unobstructed by lights and I found this really nice place. Although I went for the stars this park was beautiful even after night fall. There's an observatory and multiple small bodies of water with wide sidewalks. Its not hiking and it's very accessible to people young and old.. I have to visit this place during the day so I can see all of its beauty.

erika cooper

Stopped here for a last minute birding stop before we flew out of Phoenix, and it was an incredible surprise! We saw mockingbirds, curve billed thrashers, a dozen different kinds of waterfowl, including black neck stilts, American white pelican, ring neck ducks, sandpipers, grebes, broad build hummingbirds, Anna's hummingbirds, numerous doves, long-tailed grackles, Ruby crown kinglets, and more! Packed with trails, you could easily spend an entire day here. It took us about an hour and a half to walk 2 miles because of how many stops we made to look at nature.

Nancy Nelson

A hidden gem in Gilbert, Arizona. Paved and unpaved trails lead you around the seven ponds each home to a variety of birds that change out with the season. Easily accessible, handicapped friendly, dog friendly, and children friendly. Pack a lunch, bring a fishing pole and enjoy nature.

Jodi Lytle

Wild life habitat with alot of trails to walk with several ponds. A fun place to spend a couple of hours walking and checking out all the scenery

Roy Fellows

Wonderful place to go for a quiet walk and view nature. Looking to photograph birds, a great location. Spring is a great time to find some birds nesting.

Paige

So relaxing. The kids loved seeing the wildlife so close up. So many fun trails.

Jen Prince

Such a beautiful place! Tons of walking trails. Love the nature it brings with it

Leila Duguay

Such an Oasis in the middle of concreteville (iie Gilbert Az). So many trails and so much to see and do. Family friendly or just any one looking to escape for a bit and soak in some nature. Birds, ducks, rabbits, pelicans, turtles, so much variety!!!

Ashley Andrasko

Great place to walk around multiple small ponds and see birds and rabbits. There is a small creek for kids. Located next to a library with lots of parking. A popular place for family photos.

paul vanderwiel

Visiting for over a decade, always 11/10. Always beautiful, usually not crowded, consistently clean. If you hit the dirt trails, make sure you have a good sense of direction or know how to use your phone's gps. Trails are clear, but directions can twist unexpectedly.

Emily Smith

What a great spot to beat the heat while still enjoying nature. My son especially enjoyed the dinosaur activities and watching all the rabbits and ducks.

Garrett Rawson

Beautiful park, Rabbits, birds, geese, pelicans. Peacefully areas to walk both concrete and dirt paths. Pokémon Go can be played here as well. You really feel like you have taken a step outside of the heat and the busyness of the city and that your out in nature. Even for a short while you can spend a nice morning feeding the ducks, or take your kids for a stroll through the park. What ever you choose a must visit if you staying in Gilbert or any where near by. I personally stoped by because I was on a business trip and needed something to do in the evening, then I found this.

M H

Such a beautiful place to see Arizona nature. You will quickly forget that you are in the city. Took my grandson fishing. We created such amazing memories.

Mary Fiedler

I absolutely love coming to the riparian especially the tall white Birds. I enjoy watching them fly. One time I saw a tall white bird within twenty feet of where I was standing I was behind some trees as the wind blew I noticed that there was White strings which is a part of the white bird blowing in the wind on the white birds back. It was about three feet tall, so Majestic to see how beautiful this bird is and the big beak that was a moment I'll never forget . A few months ago I saw the spoon built beak bird it had pink feathers many people from all over come to see this particular bird, it is so unusual for it to be in this area of the United States. When it was cooler my husband and I saw pelicans it was fun to watch them especially the bags under their chins wiggling when they moved.

Che N

This place reminds me of Central Park You are completely surrounded by great landscape and nature Birds of all kinds and lots of water everywhere Well maintained walking trails and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the wildlife You easily forget that you are in the middle of town when you're wandering around

Greg Semple

What a beautiful place. It was a very relaxing walk, and we enjoyed seeing birds and animals on our walk. Very well maintained. Had to park at the library next door because there were a lot of people on the day we visited.

Liberato Garced (Tito)

Beautiful oasis in the middle of the dessert. Lovely place to bring your pets, fish, or just a good walk. I enjoyed my time here.

J. A.

Beautiful and serene place. My husband and I have been meaning to check this place out and it did not disappoint! Great outdoor recreation area. Ample space for fishing, walking, running, picnics, and other activities. And there's so many great trails and benches throughout. It's also great to see the little history markers and stands to give you information about the park and it's wildlife. It's wonderful for birdwatchers, photographers, and even just taking time to read a book under the shade of trees. I would only say that the only slight downside is parking. Depending on what day or time of day you visit, you may run into parking issues. As in lack thereof. There's additional parking allowed at the adjacent library. Other than that, great park area for the whole family. Just please be mindful and not feed the birds...also, keep the park clean. Don't be a litter bug. It helps keep the park open for all to enjoy. 🙏😁

Brett Scheuber

Wonderful place to see birds and a great place to take pictures for any occasion especially with the cacti in thr front of the park/preserve

Denise S

This is a great place if you enjoy birds of all kinds. Great experience, but there’s was little to no parking so parking at the library is a better options.

denise lane

Such a peaceful, beautiful and relaxing place to walk and see so many types of birds and foliage. One can go many times and see something new each time.

Jenna Trujillo

A friend of mine had her small wedding at this park and it is beautiful! Very relaxing and tranquil environment. Definitely want to go back to take the kiddos.

Fox W

Always love going to the Preserve! Thankfully it wasn't really crowded that day and we had a great time just disconnecting from the hustle and bustle of daily life and just enjoyed being around nature for a bit!

FPK

Always a delight to wander the paths. Wonderful to see families and generations, walking with binoculars. Clean, very well-maintained. Really a wonderful park. We just happen to be there during the day when they had the observatory open for field trip children. The gentleman working the telescope was very busy, but he was gracious, and allowed us to take a quick peek at the sun! Excellent park!

Victoria H

A magnificent place of such beauty that caters to many needs. Family bonding time, self reflection, fishing, walking meditation, biking, jogging, horse back riding, feeling introverted or extroverted this space is everything you could ever wish for ! We were a able to get 5 miles of walking and spend over four hours here. One of my most precious Saturdays ! Highly suggest coming here ! Ample parking as there's more than one parking lot. Restrooms and water fountains in a couple spots in the preserve. There also seemed to be camp tenting available, which we didn't look into but there's a QR code to book a spot, you have to walk or wagon your supplies into.

Aditi Patidar

Last week I visited this park and there were lots of wildflowers. This is the good place for a walk and photoshoot.

Josh Miller

This is a great park to take a walk, have a picnic, or just relax. Lots of various birds to see throughout the preserve. There are a bunch of trails to choose from. Even on a busy weekend, there is still plenty of space to not fill too crowded. This is a great little escape in the middle of the city. Parking can sometimes be a little busy, but still not too bad. There is an observatory here as well with limited hours and available for private viewings. Great place to bring kids. Trails are flat and easy for any age.

Shawna “Garden Foodie 8”

Brilliant experience. We really loved the hundreds of birds. So beautiful.

C. B.

This place is always nice to walk through. We've gone many times and I always see something new each time; new animals or a new route/view. Feeding the ducks is fun and I appreciate the native plants and trees they've included throughout. They even have a butterfly habitat to encourage monarchs and other species to lay their eggs.

Michael Robertson

This is such a beautiful location and perfect for exploring and taking pictures. The library beside it is nice and the fishing in the water is pretty good stocked with trout, bass, and sun perch. This place is so calming with running streams, ducks, geese, and turles. This is a perfect destination for many photo opportunities. I go here weekly to step back and relax.

Samantha Raye

I love this place to walk I used to walk it before we started a family now it's a great place to walk with our little one

Roaring0223

I love going for walks here. Nice alone or with friends and family. Love feeding the birds and fish cheerios. The trails have lots of cute birds and bunnies everywhere too. It's right next to the library which is also a nice spot to pop into.

Bree Lienberger

This is an awesome place to take your family and enjoy nature. There were so many different birds, bunnies and turtles it was a great way to get a couple hours of fresh air and exercise! Absolutely week make this a monthly habit! Plus the public library is right there and partially opened! It was great to take my kids since they've never been to a public library! Absolutely awesome preserve!

Cynthia Dumbauld

Great outdoor preserve in the city. And Do visit the wonderful library, where you can relax and read with a full view of the lagoon and water fowl. - park has; trails, ponds, fishing, duck feeding, views, and super fun things for kids to climb on including a fun "Dino Dig" area- bring your own paint brush.

Michael Winger

Best bird watching around. Love this place. I go here all the time.

Double Helix

Needs a NOISE ordinance. Beautiful place but people need to shut up and enjoy. Too many loud people having conversations and parents yelling for their kids. Shhhhhhh !

Anthony Pellegrino

Great place to walk around and enjoy nature! There's so many birds to see here! Plenty of ducks and bunnies as well.

Kristine Tures

Bring some cracked corn bird food to feed the birds. It was such a pleasure to see all the different birds and plants/trees/cacutus....There is an area specific for kids to run around in and play on they will love it. Park is dog friendly as long as it is on a leash. It's pretty nice for the pooch to get to go with on this outing.

Nataly Lorin

Always a great place. Beautiful during all the year.

Emily Richter

Great trail system that starts out paved near the lake and turns into dirt trails as you get farther in. I love running here--especially since a lot of it is shaded--and would highly recommend. It's always busy with walkers and families feeding the ducks but there's tons of parking and room for everyone. There are two sets of bathrooms and campsites father back in the park, too.

Sherrie Brown

Located in Gilbert, AZ this is a beautiful place. It's opened sunrise to sunset and has no entry fees. There are lots of places to catch some shade, benches to rest on, to take a break or just reflect on the beauty. There are a lot of play areas and hands on exhibits for children. During the summer, it's best to go early morning or late afternoon. I highly recommend this place for people of all ages. It's also bicycle and pet friendly.

Kristin Newell

I absolutely love the Riparian Preserve. It's a great place to take kids to play or to do the dinosaur dig. I like to go there to walk (or jog) around on the trails, to see the various plants, or sit on a bench near one of the ponds. It is definitely a place worth checking out.

Jeanette Summers

Such an amazing place! Lot’s of paved walking paths and areas off path too. The areas go all around the lake and it’s so beautiful! There is a lot of wildlife that I saw today in the way of birds, bunnies, rabbits, and squirrels. Quite a few bees, dragonflies and butterflies too! I can imagine in the Springtime the plants are gorgeous! It was still really pretty today even with many plants dried out. There are many varieties of trees that are so beautiful this time of year. This place is a real treasure. It’s a great place for picnics on the lawn or in the covered areas. There are playground areas for the kiddos. I’ve been told the fishing is good here too. The Rotary Observatory is going to be visited on my next visit!

Isabel Castaneda

Great place to feed the ducks on the bridge, play in sand to uncover dinosaur bones, fish, walk and just found out you can camp over night. All trails are stroller friendly that we walked. Very nice park. I got the opportunity to join my friends daughter's birthday party there and hike it with 2 friends on short paths as much as the littles could handle.

Jerel Price

There is no cost for parking or to enter the park. There are many birds, small animals, a variety of trees and shrubs to see and photograph. Trails with viewing areas. Very nice.

Mary P

We went for a walk at the Riparian Preserve for the first time yesterday. Very pretty, peaceful and pleasant walk around the water. Lots of birds and wildlife. There is also an Observatory on the property that we will come back and check out!

Denise Nunley- Phoenix Social

My husband and I love to come here to do walks. The trail wraps around several small lakes and the wildlife is fun to observe. Last week we saw a pair of Pelicans. There's a place for younger kids to play and the path is flat so is good for anyone who just wants to get out and see a bit of nature.

Jon L.

This place is wonderful for walking and birding. Large diversity of birds between water and desert. Great playground for kids.

E B

I love that there’s are preserves for the animals but definitely prefer Veterans Oasis to Riparian Preserve. Having said that I managed to capture quite a few photos in just a short distance. The trails aren’t wide enough to allow for social distancing like Veterans Oasis which is a problem because there are so many people cycling— seems like they should have their own trail or not be allowed to ride centimeters next to pedestrians, and running. The birds are definitely the stars of the Preserve but I also spotted a squirrel and many rabbits.

Angie McMillan

Amazing place to walk around and see so much wildlife. Great way to waste a bit of time or all day.

Charles Hill

Birdwatching paradise. Our walk leader, Marcus, was very knowledgeable and friendly. He's the best birdwatching leader we've ever had! We saw a larger variety of amazing birds in a little over 2 hours than we have seen anywhere! We'll definitely be back!

Lindsey Shine

It's a hidden gem with lots to do if you want to spend some time outside. I recommend exploring the trails in the back behind the ponds. You can almost forget you're in the city, theres small animals and lots of birds. Great for kids.

Christina Morey

Beautiful place! Family friendly and handicap accessible.

Sal magnum

It's a different experience every time... you have to see it for yourself if you're a lover of nature. Pictures do it very little justice...having a rough day, want to decompress, relax and look at the beautiful scenery.. . or visit the observatory...its all in one place..come to the Riparian... it's .....it's just beautiful!

John Matson

A beautiful place to relax, walk, see rabbits, quail,ducks, white pelicans, herons,cranes, and a multitude of birds. Many photogenic opportunities. Benches along the paths. Places to fish and picnic, orread a good book. If you haven't already been there, you should go. If you have been, you should go again.

Megan Marohn

Always a pleasure to spend time here. There are crowds on weekends at around 9am weekdays, but if you get there early enough it can be a lovely quiet walk through some unique ecosystems. It is always surprising to see such a diversity of plants and animals smack-dab in the middle of Gilbert. What a treasure!!

Luis B

amazing place especially during the evening where you can experience a truly beautiful Arizona sunset. restrooms are clean and accessible to strollers and wheelchair visitors. enjoy the ducks while hearing geese fly over your head.

Diane Paradise

This is a great place to go walking and running. You feel like you are in the country with all the ducks, geese, bunnies, birds, and more. It’s so peaceful. Plus there is a lot of shade for hotter days.

Meghan Seal

This place is great to take the family out for a little walk. Doesn't have a playground, but it has a Dino sand area. Just be prepared for all kinds of photo sessions being done. And couples taking random naps while on their picnic.

Tom Mullen

Amazing birding location! Shorebirds galore! Bring your camera, binoculars and water and get here early! We saw stilts, ibis, pelicans, egrets, towhees, killdeer, herons and more! Absolutely a wonderful morning, so great we went again the next day! 8 lifers one day and five the next. Definitely on my list to visit next time we are in Phoenix!

Clark Aliano

My wife and I went here a few weeks ago. Beautiful place to get away without having to travel very far. So serene to watch the ducks, and variations of wildlife. Great place if you need to unplug. Highly recommend.

Robin Gowin

fantastic place to walk in nature. it is quite popular but there is additional free parking available around the corner at the library. we saw at least 50 different species of birds including a paragrine falcon

Kurt Holz

Awesome place to see all kinds of birds and other wildlife (lots of rabits, some coyotes, etc). Highly recommended. Parking lot is always full so be prepared to use alternate parking.

Hilary McKillip

Very fun! Lots of different wildlife to see and ramadas, benches, and grassy areas for picnics. There is also a climbing area that all my kids enjoyed. The parking lot is small, but you can park next door at the library and take a short walk to the preserve.

Arlin Thompson II

Unfortunately, I was only able to stay for a short period of time and walk one of the trails. What I did experience was fascinating. A variety of birds and a very peaceful setting. I would love to go back and experience more of this preserve. It's an oasis in the middle of suburb life.

Janet James-Whalen

This is essentially a lovely bird sanctuary which is appealling to all ages and dog friendly. Many people enjoying the walks around the ponds and various trails. Many thpes of water fowl, turtles, and jackrabbits seen every time I have gone there.

Karen Farkas

Amazing number of birds. Everything from morning doves to pelicans and 3 kinds of herons. The variety of ducks, coots, etc were phenomenal. Just a very nice experience in a lovely area. Bravo to Gilbert for having created this.

Jason Nguyen

Dope place to go for nature, a walk, or a photoshoot! Has great lighting, trees, trails, and wild animals such as ducks, geese, and bunnies! Great place to go for a date. However during the summer it can be hot!!!

Laura J

Great place to explore and take photos. I love seeing the ducks and rabbits. Can get pretty crowded on weekends with good weather, so be mindful parking can sometimes be hard to find.

Dori Tolman

Great place to walk all around the paths! Saw a bunch of wildlife, and lots of people walking their dogs.

Chris Turner

Incredible area to spend a little time or the whole day , this preserve offers 7 lakes with fishing , tremendous amount of wildlife ,a library , tons of walking paths , along with benches to rest , plenty of things for the young kids to do as well

Chris Meals

Reclaimed Water Park Reserve in Arizona and the perch-fect place for bird, dragon flies and turtle viewing. Lots of photographers and bird watchers. Not to mention the observatory. If you like water don't miss it.

Veronica Black

Absolutely beautiful! Animals everywhere, great information on them and the land and plants. Annoying that so many people come with photographers, but it's stunning so it makes sense.

Catfan173ALT

It is a beautiful place to watch birds and walk.

Bobbie Erlandson

Awesome experience. Was looking for something to do with my toddlers for a couple of hours. They loved exploring and seeing the animals in nature. Wa able to still social distance which was nice as it was like having the place to ourselves. Highly recommend and would go back.

Lynn Hansen

A wonderful stop. The walking trails are beautifully maintained. There were tons of birds to see (and hear). Plan to spend about 30-60 minutes, depending how much you want to observe. Overflow parking is right next door at the library and the library has an ajoining path to the preserve. Well done!

Rebecca Gilbertson

One of my favorite places nearby, to get into nature and to learn more about my surroundings; with educational signs along the trails. It's always a pleasurable place to stroll through and to take a rest on one of the many benches, where you can usually see quite a few birds and bunnies. Also, tons of butterflies and dragonflies, depending on the season. Highly recommend a visit, but please be sure to pick up after yourself and stick to the trails - keep it a safe and clean habitat for those animals, birds, fish, and reptiles that live there. Thank you!

Justin Lane

Great place to get some exercise for people of all ages. In amazing amount of wildlife especially birds. The top birder spot in the greater Phoenix area. We'll see birds that you never would have expected to see in Arizona. A glimpse into what different riparian areas looked like in Arizona before people. Fishing available, parking seems a little limited at peak times.

Dave Leach

Beautiful place to walk and see waterfowl and other wildlife. busy but not crowded. There are lots of places to sit quietly to talk or take a break.

Stephanie Creeger

Great low impact nature walks, there are several paths and ponds to choose from. Playground. And awesome bird watching. Very limited parking, but you can park at the library next door and walk over.

Ana Postelnicu

Beautiful place to walk 🚶‍♂️ around and see ponds and birds 🐦 and squirrels also rabbits 🐇 and turtles 🐢 You can either walk or ride ur bike around the trail totally worth going over here 🙂 …

Jimin Roger

A beautiful place to visit with dogs. Crowded in some places but easy to find spots where you can be alone. Huge lakes and wild life including birds, bunnies, turtles, and squirrels. Christmas decoration is up as well🎄 …

Sarah Radovic

Beautiful place to walk the foliage lined paths and enjoy all the wildlife. Great place to watch birds!

Jason Heser

What a wonderful area! Semi-groomed trails, tons of wildlife, plants, 7 or 8 ponds, information about wildlife and there's a "Dino Dig" area for young children. The only reason I didn't rate it 5 stars is because there was LOTS of garbage on the ground. 😔 Other than that, great time!!

Carlos Osornio

Whether you want to get a good run or walk, have the kids play around or a true bird watcher. This is the spot for you. Truly fun for the whole family including our 4 legged friends. The trails are wide and very clean. They have so many different kinds of birds just amazing. Recommended for everyone.

Tyler Schmitt

Very beautiful, a little too close to the city though

D Boggs

Busy on weekends but nice weekdays. Very well maintained.

Nhan Tran

Been here a few times with the family. Kids love spotting the wildlife here, especially the bunnies! Great views and nice trails. If you enjoy fishing, there's a dedicated lake for it as well! Kids have a nice play section. Lots of photographers here for scenic shots and special occasions.

Sue Tyler

It's a very nice place, enjoyed walking around and seeing all the different water fowl and other birds. I got to see my first live roadrunner today, he even posed for my camera

Candace's old email

Lots of space for the kids to run around. Lots of people there for a Wednesday afternoon, but plenty room to enjoy the park safely. Some wear masks, some don't, but were at a safe distance. There're structures for kids to climb and run around, also sand pits with artificial fossils for the kids to make believe digging up. The main entrance parking lot is small though, but I heard there's parking space at the library nearby. There's a floating boardwalk type of thing where you can feed and watch the ducks and other wild birds. Restrooms and covered picnic area with 4 picnic tables are located on site. Loved that there was tidy (no random trash) and there were 3 big covered trash bins, one of which was recycle. I see you Gilbert, right on. 👍🏼

M Morgan (Morgue-N)

Such a beautiful place for bird watching, nature photography, portraits, picnics, nature walks, gatherings, whatever! There are lots of trash cans available so please clean up after yourself, your kids, and your pets. Keep the habitat nice for animals and visitors alike.

britney lacey

Great place to take your kids for some excersie. Let them run around the trails, feed ducks, fish. The trails have signs of all the different kinds of birds, what they look like so you can spot them. Also have one for the different types of trees. Everyone brings their dogs, or rides bikes. It's such a cool family place to go when the weather is great.

Andrea Anthony

Beautiful park with multiple paths to walk easily with kids or a leashed dog. There is a lot of wildlife including a variety of birds and rabbits which vary by pond! There are a lot more activities to do for kids and activity areas. Overall quiet and calming place to go birding or walking.

Seeking 70

Literally tons of birds! Great place for kids of all ages to enjoy nature. Use the library parking lot next door if the preserve's is full.

Skye Laulu

Great free place to spend some time outside with the family or for a walk. They have maps posted everywhere but I could really use a You Are Here dot! Another downside is the limited parking at main entrance- so get there early!

Meredith Evans

What a fantastic community resource! In a 45 minute walk we saw 36 species of feathered friend's, bunnies galore, a full moon rising and an Arizona golden pink and royal purple sunset! .....and an American White Pelican!! A glorious way to end a day.💞 …

Jonathan Tiff

Always a great time, whether you want to camp, bird watch, reflect on your day-to-day, meander aimlessly, ride bikes, very dog friendly (bring your own bags!), fishing spots (bring your license!), has an obeservatory (inquire within for details), has a nice overlook with great views.

Heather Featherly

I've lived here for almost 10 years and never knew this place existed. I've been twice this past week I love it here! Dragonflies, hummingbirds, turtles rabbits and all different kinds of ducks and waterbirds as well as perching birds. Paved and unpaved pathways and a couple spots it feels like you're the only person there and it's hard to wrap your head around the fact that you're in the middle of Gilbert!

Kenneth W Franklin Jr

Great birding spot. Family friendly, public restrooms, easy walking paths and lots of benches to sit and enjoy the wildlife. Very small parking area.

Debbie Payne

I come here often! It's great for walking and seeing wildlife in a beautiful setting (I've seen everything from lizards, bunnies, snakes, turtles, dragonflies, hummingbirds, and DOZENS of other bird species). Dog friendly (leashed). There are even horse paths for riders. It is well maintained and the best part is that it is FREE. Located right next to the Southeast Regional Library. There are several ponds (though not all of them have water at the same time). There is a stream that is relaxing to hear. Very educational if you want to read plaques about the habitat or visit the paleontology dig site (kids like this). Parking is limited so go early or park at the library and walk over. I've enjoyed this site early in the morning when the critters are out to when the sun is setting over the ponds. Beautiful any time of day!

Nathan Whipple

Great place to walk and get rid of stress. The city is great at taking care of the area. They even have a bio sphere and a playground for the kids. It is dog friendly just remember to bring water and a leash. You can even learn about different animals from their signs. There is about 6 ponds some are mosh and others are full and have ducks walking around. There is even a bridge to walk across and take shots over the pond. Great to go any day just know it gets busy on the weekends and early mornings.

B Bayrak

This place is a gem! If you are a nature lover and enjoy seeing a large variety of birds, this is the place. The preserve is in the middle of Gilbert. It consists of several interconnected lakes. Not all the lakes have water year around, but most do. In winter months, you can see migratory birds stopping here temporarily on their way to South America. One of these birds is white pelican. Don't forget to bring your camera.

Jane Grant

What a nice surprise to be introduced to this while visiting in the area! Lots of info, plus a great opportunity for a walk while learning about native birds and plants and how someone came up with a wonderful idea for water use.

James Kamb

A gem of natural beauty in Gilbert. The Riparian Preserved at Water Ranch has trails for hiking, areas to play and picnic, & lots of wildlife to spy through the reeds. Come during sunrise or sunset to see more of the wildfire that inhabits the area including rabbits, water fowl and owls. It gets very warm in the middle of the day so morning and evening visits will help keep you comfortable. Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to hike any of the trails that take you further into the park. It can be very busy on weekends, especially holiday weekends. But, most visitors are polite and you will find many smiles as you walk through the desert plant life.

Ryan T.

Nice walk surrounded by birds and water. Bathrooms,and play grounds. Perfect to walk a dog 🐕...library is next to it. …

Brian Gray

The Riparian Preserve at water ranch is a great escape right in the middle of the city. Have you had enough of the city and are ready for some Mother Nature time to get grounded. This is right on the corner of Guadalupe and Greenfield Rd. They have a telescope to see the stars, multiple ponds for water foul to live in and play ground equipment for the kids to play on. They have huge dinosaur bones the kids can discover in a sand pit. Wild life is everywhere. We saw rabbits and birds, lizards and other small things. They also have snakes, coyotes and fishing is permitted. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Jennie Karges

Beautiful location! A step into nature in the middle of the suburbs. The wild animals around are fun to watch and it is an easy hike I can do with my kids! I love that the library is nearby for bathroom breaks or a quiet cool down! The only bummer is the severe lack of parking! I guess they didn't expect gilbert to love it as much as we do!

Christiane Giovanetti

Great place to walk around, plenty of shade, and shady spots to sit! Dozens of trails to explore, and it's so fun for the kids to look for different types of birds or the many rabbits hopping around! Aside from the trails, there is a little play area for the children. Feeding the ducks is also fun! Just make sure to bring some oats instead of bread! Also a Wonderful place for photo opportunities!

Christopher McKenna

What a wonderful retreat! We came here to do a bit of birding and what a great trip it turned out to be. The birds were plenty and the wildlife was out and about for all to observe. There are many activities for all visitors and is great for all ages. All the information posted on the trails are both helpful and enjoyable. We stopped at all postings and signs we came across and enjoyed trying to locate all we could read about. I did not do much fishing here but I did toss a couple to see if I could get any bites. Plenty of sunfish to catch and release as well as huge schools of Tilapia. Didn't get any bass bites myself but did observe some anglers after them. Also plenty of Catfish lines in the water so they may be biting her too. Great times and definitely worth a visit!

Kalia B

This place is absolutely beautiful & serene. While here I did not feel like I was in a city but like I was one with nature. Great place for photos or if one just wants to get away.

alanda

This is one of the walking areas i have ever been to. It is clean, safe and very family friendly. There were several trails that you can walk as well as several picture opportunities and great views of wildlife. Several families were fishing and there were plenty of spaces that had benches so that you can sit and relax. Every visit to AZ will include a walk here I went at dusk and on a weekend

J Kiernan

Great park with lots of trails. The parking is the main downside but the library parking seems to take the over flow. The trails are mostly dirt track but no problem for a stroller.

Cassidy S (OddzWorldz)

My girlfriend and I have been going here for year's with our dog's and we love it. Very relaxing and peaceful when you are on the trails. Safe and clean fun a great way to unwind your day.

DeeDee Winter

Husband and kiddos go every weekend. We went during the Christmas lights and had a lovely time together walking around and enjoying the holidays lights. Then when family from out of town was here 4 Christmas we went Christmas day after dinner and walked around together. Had a wonderful day and highly recommend you go and walk around. Great way getting your steps in 😊

Willow Owings

This was my first visit: Parking was full with cars waiting when I arrived. I ended up parking by the library. There weren’t any signs that said not to and there was a sidewalk leading to the preserve from the parking lot. Gorgeous area! Lots of birds, rabbits, trees and plants. Plenty of maps on the trails to guide you. I was there for an hour and a half and didn’t even walk the whole area. It’s huge! Even though there is a small sign that says masks are required, very few people were wearing masks. About 1 person out of every 12-15 people had a mask on. It was pretty busy when I went on a Sunday evening. I did my best to distance myself from others, while wearing my mask the entire time. Unfortunately I will probably not be returning for a while, due to the lack of masks/enforcement and the large crowds. Can’t wait to safely visit again!

Jakeb Belnap

This is a great place to visit. Many people go here to watch birds, photograph the landscape, stroll around the ponds, or sit and relax. Nice nature escape right in the middle of the city. Even has a playground for kids on the north side of the preserve.

Rachel Carbonelli

Beautiful preserve with both paved and "hiking" paths. Great place for those beginning to get into hiking or bringing children along.

Victoria

when I need to de-stress, Riparian is my go to spot. my pup loves coming for a walk here, he always passes out once we get home...actually mid car ride home. you'll find a little bit of everything here. you have fishing, picnics, horse rides, bikes, family walks, camp sites,bird watchers, photographers, and so much more. fall- spring you can go any time of day, summer early morning or sun setting.

Jeff Jenson

Very cool place, relax right in the middle of town! Nice for a quick walk around the lake or stay longer and explore more.

Terra Paley

We had the best time! Went on a hike, found some dinosaurs and made some new friends! The views are breathtaking and the kids loved seeing all the different animals! If you love nature and adventure you will love this place!

Cecilio Pentecost

Wonderful place to sight see and walk around

Shivram Bhardwaj

Beautiful park right in the middle of the city with multiple lakes and walkways. Lots of water fowls, a few osprey. Very nice place for an evening walk. Good place for birding and photography.

Erika E

Another excellent park, part of our community. Long paths with delicious shade in the summer. Lots of animal life. It’s beautiful here, so relaxing.

Toga Free

This is one of my favorite places to visit in the valley. There is always a bunch of wildlife, and the vegetation is beautiful! Parking can be a problem, but the library is close and usually has plenty.

Mandie Dove

We had a great time walking the trails, feeding the ducks, seeing the cottontails, watching others fish. We look forward to our next visit. We love the Riparian Preserve. We bring our out-of-state friends and family whenever they visit. We want everyone to experience this lovely wildlife reserve. Please remember, pick up your trash, leave with whatever you brought with you. Yesterday, I had to throw away a metal coil that was maybe 4 gauge thick, to keep animals and children from being harmed or stumbling upon it. This is a Preserve for animals. Not a place to leave junk. Let's keep it clean so it will be available for generations to come! Thank you!

Kris McCutcheon

ABSOULUTY BEAUTIFUL PICTURUS WENT FOR A GEOCACHE BUT SO MUCH MORE TO ENJOY a lot of people taken wedding photos, fishing, just enjoying the sites A must see in the AZ

Justin Slobodan

Beautiful park I was there for almost 4.5 hrs walking listening to the locals play music . Family friendly and an overall nice place to be

Joseph Formichella

A gem. A pleasant place to walk alone or with friends (or dogs) on mild spring or fall days. You can when hit the library after and pick up a few books.

Henry Banner

The riparian persevere is a great place to go fishing, bird watching, and just to walk around. I try to go every week to go fishing and I usually catch a few fish every time.

Gretchen Littlefield

Holy cow at all the critters! There's no shortage of things to look at here.... whether you want to fish, bird, or walk around for exercise, this is THE place to do it! The trails are plenty and wide enough to accommodate everyone.

Joshua Reach

Absolutely wonderful park! The Preserve has a wide range of wildlife from birds to bunnies and even a few king snakes (don’t worry, they’re harmless, and a rare sight). The paths are often completely covered by the trees so there is plenty of shade. You’ll often see families getting professional photos taken (wedding, high school, etc), but everyone is courteous and respectful. I even had one photographer move out of the way and wave me through as I was on a run, saying, “Oh don’t worry about us, we don’t own the place. You’re fine!”. There are also TONS of people playing Pokémon Go at this park. If there’s an event going in that game (community day) expect a few hundred people from 7-70 years old to be walking around, catching Pokémon. Definitely stop by this park if you want to go on a nice walk, run, bike ride, or maybe even go fishing in the main pond. Super safe and super nice place to visit! Pro tip: park next to the library as the main parking lot gets full, fast. You can access the trails by the main pond right from behind the library along Greenfield Rd.

Michelle

Great place for senior or family pictures. Wonderful place for nature photographers, walks, riding bikes, dog walking, and so much more. There were many different species of shorebirds here as well.

Hannah Higgs

Great for outdoor walking adventures. Lots and lots of kids right now... not always the most fun when trying to relax but when the parents actually care for their children this spot is a must see!

Nicole Geri (Nicole Geri)

What a beautiful park. There was a ton of wildlife and walking trails. I love exploring here.

Emily M

We love going to play at Riparian, and to feed the ducks. They are responsible a d post what food is appropriate to keep the ducks healthy, which we appreciate. We also love the beautiful paths available! It's so great for the family, and there is lots of space for events. Perfect for family photos, a run, or a day at the park. We often see dog meet ups, boy scout activities, and other community events!

Viv Colagrossi

This was a very beautiful preserve, but they do not keep water in all of the ponds, at all times. There are many different birds and waterfowl to see here. The trails are easy enough for wheelchairs and strollers. This would be very beautiful in the spring with all the flowers in bloom.

Christine Nguyen

This is one of my favorite places to go on for a nice run! It has many different trails to go on and many different animals roaming around! There’s also beautiful places to take pictures!

Martin Loehr

I absolutely love this place. If you like to take pictures, this is the perfect place to grab good water and bird shots. This place makes for a nice romantic walk as well. Make sure you slap on the mosquito repellant, but make sure you pay a visit!

Kayla Pope

Riparian Preserve is such a great place to visit! Nice walking trails, beautiful views, and tons of wildlife. I came here on a Friday morning and it wasn't too busy and there was plenty of parking.

Leviticus

It's a nice place to fish and walk around there is some trails good for older couples or kids. There is a park for kids. Also alot of rabbits and ducks to see and the library is literally right next to it.

ALETHIA

Love coming here with the little ones and spend cons time feeding the ducks. We’ve named a few already and my oldest actually remembers who’s who. The walks are great too. Nothing too difficult for little legs to finish. I could go on and on. Cloudy or sunny, even a little drizzle, this is a beautiful place to visit. I’m going to miss visiting when I move. We’ll have to have a big feeding visit before then. Have fun! Oh and make sure you feed the ducks good quality organic snacks. Please.

Kristin Cyr

Beautiful place! The pictures dont do it justice. Lots of different birds here including ducks and cranes. There's also a lot of rabbits and we saw a few turtles. There's tons of different paths to walk so you always feel your exploring new places.

MrGibbyguy

Wonderful Hike through many trails within urban area of Gilbert. Lots of shore birds, waterfowl, egrets, and smaller birds. Lot's photographers here shooting Senior pics, engagements, families as well as the wildlife.

Colten Orwin

Parking is hard to come by. You want to park near the church instead of the main parking lot. Masks were not required. There was one sanitation station I saw. Overall one of the best parks in AZ. Located on Higley and Guadalupe. Tons of birds and rabbits. Lots of fishermen, but not a lot of fish it looked like.

Stephanie Oswald

A great place to get outdoors, walk you dog and enjoy some of the best of what Arizona has to offer! Everytime we have family members in town from other states (especially the colder ones), this is where we end up because it's always an amazing time showing them the native plants and smaller animal species. That and the little nieces and nephews love it. Would definitely recommend if you're looking for an easy outdoor outing with the kids (they have bathroom facilities, a conservatory, drinking fountains and plenty of benches and shade) or to get some exercise running along the many trails and paths.

Katherine Cook

Amazing place to walk, bike, or fish. The kindness rock movement is strong here and you can almost always find a painted gem. The wild birds are abundant, so this is a great place to bird watch. Escape from the city without actually leaving the city.

K Crema

You need to try it at least once. We saw 23 bird species when we there, and turtles. There's a boardwalk where you can feed the ducks. It's about a mile loop I was told.

caleb rice

A really great place to bring the family and enjoy quality time outside together. There are 7 little ponds and plenty of trails to walk around the reserve. There are also gazebo's where you can have picnics with family and friends and grills to cook your food. There's also a nice big play area for the kids. Lots of animal life, we saw turtles, ducks, rabbits lots of different birds, fish and reptiles.

Diane Kaminski

Best wetlands I have been to in a long time. Nice walking trails either concrete or hard Arizona dirt. Seats alongside ponds for viewing. Big lake that you can fish in too.

Robert Brabenec

It is completely flat, with plenty of water around. We walked for an hour and we were again pleased with the setting and relative silence.

kaleigh smith

This place was simply amazing very well put together. Very fun for all ages a good way to get your kids walking. They'll be in all because most of them are moving. The best part is they don't take money instead they take donations for the needy. When I went yesterday it was non-perishable food items for a food bank. I just love and how they're giving back to their community and giving something fun for the whole family to enjoy. Would highly recommend and totally coming back next year.💜

Adann Skin

This is a very good place to go for a long walk alone or with friends or family. You can see different kinds of birds, rabbits. turtles and you can feed the ducks. It is an excellent place to take your kids.

Ronald Kelley

We took a nice walk around the pond. We hope to have more time next year and maybe a little fishing.

Jacqueline Ramirez

If you are looking for a great spot to have some relaxing time. This is a perfect spot. You can enjoy walking, jogging, riding bikes, fishing, bird watching... plus area for the little ones. Also has a huge telescope to enjoy some unforgetable moon and star nights. Don't forget your camera!!

Morgan Weddle

Wonderful gem hidden inside the Phoenix Valley. It is quiet, relaxing, and a great place to bring the family. Fishing, trails, animals- it is so fun to come here. Be sure to bring lots of water because it gets hot! Adjacent to the library in Gilbert, AZ, so you can also curl up to a good book, if you so choose.

Amanda Cline

This is a beautiful park where you can see lots of birds and wildlife. The loop around the lake is about a quarter of a mile and is well paved for strollers and wheel chairs. There are other trails you can find as well. I love taking my dogs and my camera here. My favorite time is around sunset. I should warn you sometimes the mosquitos are out. It's a hit or miss when they are there. So if you have the sweet blood, I would say pack some bugs spray along side your water bottle. There are two bathrooms at each side of the pond. It's beautiful. I'm lucky to have this in my town. 😍

Helen Buttemeier

Great walking trails not to steep plenty of bench's to sit on if needed. Great place.

Sarah Biondo

Gorgeous preserve in Gilbert, free entrance and a perfect place for little kids to play, friends to walk, a picnic, a birthday party, a workout, fishing, a place to think and meditate... There are tons of wildlife with swans, ducks, Turtles, geese, rabbits... If you explore enough you'll find secret little places for a campfire or a sitting area with benches... This location closes at 10:30 and opens up at 5:30 am. There's areas with bubbling water over the Rocks, which is so peaceful to here and so relaxing and great for photos! There are shaded areas for resting and sitting out of the Sun and there's a large play area for kids to play on an explore and climb.

Susan U

This place is a new fun find for me! I began taking a few walks through this area with a friend and it's become one of our favorite places. I introduced my family to it over the holidays and they love it too. I don't take many photos but sometimes I just see something that has to be recorded. Today was one of those days. These adorable animals were showing off today and seemed to love the attention. There's always lots of wildlife on the paths but this was a surprise since we got so close to them.

Nathan Kitchen

You are in for a treat if you go at sunset. Plenty of paths and areas to explore. Observatory is open Friday and Sat night. We saw Jupiter and Saturn the evening we were there. As a tip: plenty of parking is available in the library parking lot. The small lot off of Guadalupe East of the library fills up fast and is more difficult to find a free space.

Michael Ruiz

Nice trails and plenty of birds, rabbits, etc. Nice and clean. Not much parking in front but plenty of parking at the library next door.

Gabriela Corbett Mills

This is a really nice shaded place to go for a walk or a run. I like the signs that tell you about the different plants native to Arizona. There are a lot of ducks and cute little rabbits. Many people bring their dogs here for a walk. It’s pretty busy on Saturday mornings, but still plenty of room to go for a walk! There’s also fishing. If there’s no parking, just park next door at the library.

Jenn Rees

This place is so amazing! Peaceful and beautiful!

Kyle Thomas (KyleConnect)

This is a fantastic place to take the family. Add in the library and you've found a great location for a day out of the house. Water, wildlife, a playground, and covered pavilions all present options for pleasant options. Bring a picnic, a book, maybe a ball, or even a camera and enjoy a unique outdoor experience.

Jared S.

Always love going here with the family, on the weekends they have the observatory open, we got to see Jupiter and Saturn so far.

Alicia Hill

Great place to go for a walk, we enjoy feeding the ducks there as well... there isn't a standard playground but my kids still enjoy playing there.

Alicia Vanblargan

So pretty and clean, plenty to see. There are several lakes and trails to hike. Many different types of birds and wildlife. You can fish at one of the lakes. I really enjoyed my visit.

Shauntreis Sproles

This is the best birding area and photography location for wildlife within the East Valley that is within the cities. You will find a very large variety of birds, plants/cactus, and some small wildlife in this area, year round. It is very safe even into the late evening. It is frequented by people doing a variety of activities: walking, cycling, photography, birding, family time. There are lots of signs to share what type of wildlife you may see. There is an science/ astrology center here as well. The Gilbert library is right next door and provides additional parking space. Local events are also held in this area throughout the year.

Mikky Daub

For in-town Arizona this is definitely a five star place! It’s nice that they keep the trails so clean and the observatory is really cool too. You can feed the ducks birdseed 🦆

Kyle Hamlin

Very relaxing experience. $25 for 80 minutes. Lots of natural wildlife.

Sean Cubberley

This gem is Tucktaway behind the library. There is more nature than you would expect. You have the smells of the desert and wildlife that is abundant. Excellent place to take children for a learning opportunity or a companion to just stroll around.

Miranda Fenlon

Beautiful scenery. Very clean and well maintained. Park is Very fun for everyone. Great place for a picnic, playdate, taking pictures, gettimg aome peaceful time or going on a date.

Ken Chen

Oasis in the center of a city. A sanctuary for birds. Trails through the preserve providing easy access to the water where you can watch the waterfowl in close proximity

Kevin Bader

The word is out, this place is amazing, well kept and larger that it leads on. Enjoy a stroll around the various ponds, in and out of the pathways and take time to stop and really enjoy the terrain that is not expected in the middle of a desert city. Word of advice -- it get very crowded on the weekends, if possible during less crowded times to really enjoy the beauty.

Tarah Fenn

It was a cute place for an easy stroll. Nothing strenuous. People feeding ducks and chasing kids. Reminded me of what we were like before The Vid. Life was peaceful and you could just sit on a rock on a path and thank God for the beauty he creates all around us.

Tiffanee Tom

The wildlife is super active right now. Take a big bag of bird seed, find a bench & wait. They will come to you.

m greer

This place is so nice! We loved walking around the lakes and reading about the wildlife. It was dog friendly and my dogs lived walking around!

Chris Reis

A place of solitude in the middle of the city. Great for a peaceful hike, a long dog walk or just to sit on a bench and watch the birds.

Karla Sarazua

Went looking to fish but not much shade and a bit overly busy during the time we were there. We couldn't find a decent place to settle down. BUT, It's a beautiful place to visit for a walk or picnic. I'd highly recommend it, very well maintained and fun to explore.

Angela Stephens

Never really crowded, beautiful place to walk through nature with the family! Love seeing all the wildlife.

Justin Legger

Beautiful spot in Gilbert to take walks and enjoy nature. Lots of flowers so people with strong allergies, beware. Lots of wildlife to see and pretty spots to relax. Christmas decorations too. Highly recommend

Kris Disbrow

Was visiting family in Mesa and my Aunt took us here for a morning stroll. What a neat place to bring the whole family for some excercise and education!

Tamara Taylor

Enjoy nature! I love this place because of the trees, dirt, lakes, flowers, birds and animals all close to home to enjoy after work. A great way to decompress and so many fun events to do.

Gina DiMarco

Just Gorgeous, and so peaceful.

Janet Cook

Great park with lots of birds. Plenty more parking at the Southeast Regional Library adjacent to the park. Good place for Pokémon Go, especially raid night.

Shawn Jefferds

We've been coming to the Riparian for years now. My wife and I first started walking the trails together when Pokémon Go came out (remember the one summer that was relevant? 😂) Now I toss my son in his stroller and go for runs down these trails. We like to come here on the weekends and feed the ducks as well. The area is always well maintained and a pretty popular destination. You'll see loads of fisherman at the lake and bird watchers galore. This park has something for everyone.

Thelma Brinson

Beautiful Preserve in Gilbert that is well maintained. Lots of walking trails and there are several ponds, but we only had time for two. There are tons of ducks and turtles there and its a great fishing spot. Its also a bird haven.

Lisa Haley

Terrific place to see birds - American pelicans, egrets, ducks, geese, plover, hummingbirds, and more. Lots of bunnies, too! Great sunset views!

Yami

It was a lovely place for a nature stroll. Kid, dog, and senior friendly.

David Rogers

Plenty of paths for walking, biking and horseback riding. There is a observatory there. There is fishing also. A play area for the kids. Even a great place for Pokemon Go

Just Being Me

This place is wonderful! You can spend some alone time or family time here. Photography, picnicking, or playtime. Pathways weave around entire parkway, leashed dogs are welcome (clean-up stations throughout). Educational and relaxing. Restrooms available but only at entrances. This park is free, enjoy it!

Vee A

This is a great place to go for a trail walk. It's best in the AM when it's cooler. Definitely recommend to friends and family

Kristin Dowling

Lovely walk with granddaughter and dog. Wildlife is incredible wonderful time.

chelseylanee

such a beautiful and amazing place. Theres tons of wildlife and they let you get close enough to get pretty good photos and videos

Tanya Horner

Many trails, easy to do a different walk/hike every time. Lots of cool birds, shade, rabbits, squirrels. Always some shade to be found.

Atomic Satan

This place is awesome. My son loves the trails, and we seen a whole family of rabbits! Pretty cool!

Martha Buda

Really nice place with ponds,walking paths, lots of birds and rabbits to watch.

Jen G

Has really good senic spots and places to rest along the trails!! Bigger than I thought but worth the journey. At certain spots it would be informational and learned alot. If you like hiking this place is for you!! Even seen a turtle catching some sun on the side of one of the trails. Do watch out for snakes though, I seen one. But that was one too many for my likings. Make sure to take plenty of water due to the water fountains there are out of service.

Christine Flint

So many birds! Nice play areas up front for kids! I loved this place!

Laura Ramos

I love visiting this park, year round. It’s a beautiful place for photography sessions, fishing, painted rock hunting, nature watching and getting the kids outside to appreciate nature. The playground for the children is contemporary and encourages large motor development. The park also holds wonderful events throughout the year, like the Holiday Display of Lights which is quite fun and a nice way to break midwestern folk like myself into accepting snowless winters of the valley.

Diane C

Arrived on bike and enjoyed our time riding the paths. Went during the week to avoid families with strollers. It's a great family walk experience!!. Wide paths with scattered shade. Noisy birds, bunnies everywhere! Maintained, flush toilet bathrooms and covered picnic area. Great visit!

Jodi Vanderwall

This preserve is extensive and best after a good rain. There were so many ponds and trails, it was easy to get lost even with a picture of the map handy. We loved the variety of birds and many spots were so picturesque.

doren Cowger

The parking was easy and the entire area was so clean and full of wildlife! We saw several types of birds, a few rabbits, turtles and plenty of ducks! As the signs say, please don't bring bread, we made that mistake but someone was nice enough to give our kids some grain cereal ( I think?) We had a lovely walk and our dog even rested in the water a little!

Robert Randolph

Great park area. So many great places to take fantastic photos! My son loves it!

Antonio “Jurassic park 3” Ramos

I really love going too the place I went to on Monday it was like amazing you know just imagine right now let's just say that you saw like you know ducks fish rabbit anything it's almost like if you're going to their environment

Brooke Taylor

Such a cool little park with a fun nature walk. There’s a ton of fish, birds, reptiles, and small animals to come across while on a stroll.

Chantel Thompson

Love this park! It's pretty clean and so much to do. We enjoy walking the trail, the Dino dig, snake wall (needs repair, the balls are breaking and there's an exposed nail) and the bridge to see the ducks. We've also done maternity pics here.

Allen Heinecke

I love this park. Lots of fowl, all kinds, and beautiful lakes, and even woods... Glades .. and a playground. Fun times ...

Leslie K

This is a wonderful place to take a walk and take pictures. It's very quiet and peaceful. You can easily forget that you are near a suburban town. You also get to see wildlife that you wouldn't see elsewhere in the valley.

Jean Dupre

Perfect walk about with a variety of birds and critters to observe. Well maintained, good signage. Several benches and a shared picnic area with nearby play area.

Krystal Vermeulen

I went here with my boyfriend for a walk. There were so many birds and bunnies! It's definitely a fun family friendly park. Many families were having photography sessions. It's also fishing friendly if that's something you're interested in. There's even the canal right outside of the park if you want to go for a run.

David Faulkner

Peaceful place to enjoy nature and some light fishing at the ponds! Go Mighty Ducks!

Anna Phillips Photography

Very popular place for any photo shoots. Main parking lot is not very big, so if you have a shoot there it`s not a bad idea to arrive earlier in case you will get problems getting a parking spot.

Sheree L Allen

Beautiful place. Easy walking trails, water reserves, birds of all kind, etc. Great for photos!

Ken A.

Great for some stargazing, closes at 10pm!

Laura Kinnin

Great place to go for an afternoon walk!

Kay West

This place is absolutely amazing! The tranquility of it, and sheer number of wonderful creatures to see are sheer delight. My only complaint is that one of the two bathrooms was horrifically covered in so many spiderwebs and live spiders that I could barely access the stalls.

Bonique Belone

The park was great! It had a perfect area to take pictures, places to sit down and relax, also many different habitats to explore. Can't wait to revisit in the near future.

Arizonaventure

Beautiful preserve with the public library nearby, where you can sit and read and overlook the pond. Sometimes, we come here to fish, other times just for a walk. Recently, we have come here to look at the birds. We saw a roseate spoonbill, Anna's hummingbirds, black Phoebe, verdins...

Fred Lombardo

Love this place. It’s local and there is an abundance of wildlife for photography. Even spotted a Snake Necked Turtle which are normally native to Indonesia.

Morgan Waddell

One of my favorite places in the valley for a nice long walk. A great place to escape to and enjoy nature. Even on busy days you can find some nice isolation.

John Bowland

Wonderful water wildlife area for a nature walk. All kinds of ducks, birds, rabbits and other creatures. Is my best place for a walk.

Nikki Rogers

Nice place to talk a long winter walk; lots of rabbits and birds, and a few very friendly neighborhood people. A little smelly from pond water and tree pollen, but that's nature.

KC

Nice place to take an urban hike or go for a run. You can access the park from the canal trail system. Could use a little more signage for direction once you are actually in the reserve.

Tiny Clinkenbeard

This place is amazing, lots of wildlife, lots of shrubbery, lots of smiles from everyone. This time of the year it's a beautiful place to go for a walk with the family, snap some beautiful photos and enjoy being outdoors in Arizona during the fall.

Jeff W.

Great park, though it was surprising to see that many of the lakes were drained. Not sure if it is due to lack of water, conservation, or just cleaning purposes. Still saw lots of birds, including pelicans (fairly certain)!

Alwayswatchin1 You

Great place for a nature stroll. Beautiful area & I love to watch the birds. There were at least two dozen Roseate Spoonbills in the back marsh area while I was there.

Kali Pelham

Peaceful walking paths along ponds in Gilbert, AZ. Great place to bring kids. Ideal place for bird lovers.

saxon gauer

Great place to walk, bike, fish, and take pictures. Beautiful patch of wild Arizona inside the city. There are dedicated fishing lakes, and a few bike trails in the back. Also a spot to view waterfowl, ducks included but on many of the trails you can spot cranes and the like. I personally have spotted dragonflies and even turtles around here. If you’ve got kids, there’s a playground and a dino dig.

Sarah LaMay

Great park in the middle of Gilbert. Numerous interconnected walking trails where you can see ducks, geese, Egrets, Wetland birds, quail, and rabbits. Quiet and peaceful.

Brian Penland

One of my favorite places to go for a walk during spring and fall, when I don't have time for a full fledged hike. Located just off Greenfield and Guadalupe, next to the library. The Preserve is a welcome piece of green in the middle of the town. I've never seen it to crowded, usually a few bird watchers, an occasional School field trip, fishermen, and Pokemon Hunters. I do recommend a light bug repellent during certain times of year, to keep mosquitos at Bay. There are several paths that wind and cut across the area, with the longest loop coming in just around a mile. Very few elevation changes, and smooth dirt paths or concrete for the most part. Bring some comfortable shoes, and a bit of water, and you're set. Best of all, it's free!

Chelsea Jane Fleener

Beautiful scenery. The trails are so vast I've been there 6 times and I always see something new. There are rabbits everywhere too! The only negative thing I can honestly say is that the water is very obviously dyed. Everything else is wonderful, with scenery, a dino dig, and an observatory.

William Butts

Great place to walk thru and see rabbits, birds and sea life and enjoy nature, ready parking at the library adjacent.

April Tornquist

This is a great place to go for a walk when the weather is cool. The can be a lot of people, but it's still mostly peaceful. We had our engagement pictures done here. Great photo ops!

Lindsay Olsen

My mom legitimately thought this place was called the “Reptilian Preserve”. She has lived in AZ for 45 years. We would like to submit a request for a name change. 😂 great place though! …

Tracilynn Krohn

Beautiful, peaceful, and very well cared for. Everyone was really kind. There is plenty of shade but almost all the walking is on dirt/gravel trails so consider that when picking your shoes and being plenty of water. There was a lot of wildlife who were very active and not too skittish. There are tons of photo opportunities not only of nature and wildlife but also to put people. This was my first time coming and I will definitely be back.

James Thomas

Always a fan of Riperian. Be sure to bring some snacks for the ducks! Great place for toddlers to run around and get some wiggles out. We typically use the concrete play structures to balance on, dinosaur bone dig and then a walk around the paths to look for bunnies and birds. Plenty of photo opportunities and is a favorite spot for bird watching.

jade milnes

This nature preserve was beautiful and massive. There are several different trails for walking and bike riding.

Ernest Filut

Wonderful place to take the family to see lights. Get out of the house and enjoy the walk with some hot chocolate and a donut. Reasonably priced.

Erika Cramer

Great place for walks with the families and pets. Get to see wildlife like rabbits, birds, fish, turtles, and little lakes. I like that a lot of the trails are shaded, so it's a nice place to go in the heat of summer.

Katie Wilkins

Beautiful place. We love to see all the birds, turtles, and other wildlife. We also love meeting new people on the trails. The play area is also really fun for the kids and there is a public restroom close... That's a must. Great place for walking.... dogs, kids, friends, parents. It's a wonderful place!

Craig Peck

Amazing place in near the heart of Gilbert. To experience the wildlife, especially the birds is very exciting. A must see place.

Emely Fdez

Is a beautiful place to spend quality time with your family, it has a little playground, bathrooms, is clean and lots of space, perfect for walking your dog or by yourself and also for children but you can't leave them by themselves not one second, since there is no fence around the ponds. Loved it.

Debbie Batterman

My favorite place to take the family from out of town. A treasure!!

Katie Dilling

Such a great free experience in Phoenix! We enjoyed walking around the ponds and seeing the birds, turtles, fish and more. Definitely worth the drive! Lots of photo ops and plenty for everyone to get excited about.

Bob Russell

My Mom is an excellent bird tracker and we both had a great time visiting this place. It's a quiet place to reflect and also a good place to bring kids.

Bella Lopez

Great place to take a run, walk, or take the family for an evening stroll. Just make sure you wear mosquito repellent because there are tons of them.

Erica Summers

Beautiful park with lots of nice, winding walking trails that's well kept up. It's a lovely place to walk and see the ducks and bunnies and our dog had a great time, we will definitely be back. As a side note the library right there is great too, a lovely, relaxing, and peaceful park. There are also some great kids play areas near the library.

Tanya Gonzalez

When you come here, it makes you feel like you're far away. It's so calming and beautiful. It's my favorite place to unwind and watch the sunset.

Star Lee

Gorgeous views, family friendly.

Efrain Garcia

Love this park , it’s nice to walk around and get lost in for hours . Always kept clean and the wildlife(mainly birds and rabbits) are always in view.

Brad Stoops

Great place for a quick - or long - walk to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. Incredible variety of birds. Play structures for the kids. Benches in quiet places. Fishing. Camping. And, of course, the library is right next door!

E. Paul Whetten

This park is a great place to take a stroll, see wildlife (especially waterfowl) and take in some of the beautiful vegetation that is native to our State. Lots of opportunities for Cub Scouts to complete nature requirements. I love going here.

valayne may

Great place for kids and adults. Clean walking trails, 7 ponds, and lots of wildlife make this a great place to visit in nice weather.

DejaVuDarkmist

Took my engagement photos here and loved it. So many great views here. Definitely recommend a visit to unplug and unwind.

Nonee Availablee

Beautiful park with concrete and dirt paths, lots of wild life. The geese are friendly and generally are around the east side of the lake, near the grass and covered awnings.

David Mills

It's an amazing place. There is a pond for fishing and feeding the ducks, but if adventurous there's an actual group of ponds to the south where the adventure begins. Tons of bird species come to this area yearly and people flock in from all over the state. Many rarities show up regularly like the Roseate Spoonbill. There is one there now and it's been there for months. Highly recommend this place.

Ernesto Casas

One of the best places for birding that I’ve ever been to! Fantastic area to walk around in, I was really impressed!

Melody laFollette

The kids and I really enjoy this place . You can fish or hike or just feed the ducks . (Except for in the "wildlife" area , you can't feed any critters over there) ...I don't know why -i kept thinking of that 3eyed fish on Simpsons 😂 …

Robert Hamilton

Ok... right out of the gate I'm going to lay this on the table. This is a gigantic sewage lagoon. Yes it's part of the waste water treatment system. That said you MUST go see this place. It doesn't stink. It's a great habitat in the desert for wildlife and plants. And it's a beautiful green space. If I hadn't told you it's also a method of treating waste water you would never know. It's beautiful.

David Thomas

What a wonderful Oasis in the desert! People come from all over the country for bird watching and I just love to take my dogs for a walk there. Check out the dinosaur dig for the kids

Tim Shreffler

Beautiful place to walk and observe sunsets. A little cool tonight so not alot of movement except ducks. Neat place.

Michelle H.

My grandbb's love coming here!! We always find the coolest things! The girlz love seeing all the wildlife. This place is never short on bunnies, squirrels, bird's, etc.

Sarah Zaritsky

Very good for birding, saw a variety of species. However I would highly recommend going early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

Marsha Lance

A great place for an afternoon walk. We took our dog and thoroughly enjoyed it. Saw a number of birds and a couple rabbits enjoying the sunshine.

Rhonda Renise

The scenery and landscaping is so 😍! I walk miles without realizing it and we love feeding the ducks. …

Nick Aker

Great place to go for a walk, any time of year! The water, trees, and animals are amazing!

Mary Helen Gale

Great place for a walk. Beautiful nature. Remember bird seed to feed the waterfowl.

LINDA S.

Pretty area with lots of bird life. Never found camping section--probably didn't walk far enough. 😄

DJ Michael

Excellent walk, meeting nice people along the way. Great for dogs. All the dogs are leased & controlled.

Nash Raman

We always find it soothing and calming just walking the paths and taking all that beauty in. It's just an adventure everytime. Love every moment we are there!😊 …

Ari Ferrin

Beautiful little park! Got our wedding photos done here at dawn in the cactus garden and they turned out amazingly! We love to take kids here to feed the ducks when we babysit!

Candace Arce-Lindsay

I LOVE this place. It is peaceful, beautiful, charming AND educational. A great place for running, bird watching, or picnicking, it's natural beauty is a welcome respite from the surrounding suburban sprawl.

Lynn Evans

Great for walking and enjoying the trails that meander around the many ponds. Lots of ducks, birds and snowy egrets. Would recommend parking at the library as hard to find space at parking lot.

Allie Bergman

ducks and bunnies bring me so much serotonin

Steve Forbes

Great place to go birding. Always clean and well kept. Nice quiet place to enjoy nature.

DOMINGUEZ STARFLEET

Love this nature scenic walks. So many bunnies and birds. Very relaxing.

Sarah Keli'i

We recently took family photos here in early December. The scenery is beautiful and there are lots of cactuses and ducks! S/O to Naveen Sundarrajan Photography!

Shivram Bhardwaj

Beautiful location right in the middle of the city with lakes and beautiful variety of water fowls and other birds. Spent around 3 hours without realising time.

G Nicholson

A must see experience, great for a family outing or quiet hike! We spent three hours touring the well laid out pathways viewing and taking pictures of the many species of water fowl🦆, rabbits 🐇, turtles 🐢, mesquite groves, Sonoran cacti 🏜️ and flowers. This is Riparian's twentieth anniversary! A gem of nature in the middle of the city! A big thanks to the staff and city of Gilbert who maintain this preserve. Recommend you park on the south side of the library parking lot as the lot off Guadalope is small and usually full. We will be back packing a lunch to enjoy an entire day.

Ronda Mills

This place is perfect for seeing all sorts of birds.

Paige Kelso

Riparian is a great place to take a morning walk. The varied species of birds out on the ponds makes it very relaxed and peaceful.

Dawn Carlson

Serene, beautiful, lots of nature

Dennis Douthett

We loved our visit to the preserve. A little less-known fact is you can camp there at night with a planned reservation.

Sharolyn Page

Awesome views

Andy Wong

Nice park to spend a day with friends and family. Can have a walk there.

I Glick

Very nice park. Not expecting so much vegetation and water. This is not a "desert park" where you think you'll see nothing but cactus and tumbleweeds. Lots of lush, green, vegetation, ponds with ducks and lots of birds. Trails are well marked and easy to navigate. Lots of photo opportunities with wildlife and good for dog walking, too.

Brandy Fleming

This place is beautiful! A literal oasis in the desert! You would miss it if you weren't looking for the entrance! I did an engagement photo shoot here for close friends, and at every turn, there was another fabulous spot! There are pine trees, eucalyptus, bamboo, a myriad of flowers and Cacti, an abundance of butterflies and bees, and a calming nature to the entire preserve. Come early, bring plenty of water, good walking shoes and a camera. The greenhouse is wonderful!

Farzania H

Last time I came here was back in 2009. There's been so many updates and observation areas. Great place to walk and enjoy nature.

Kimberly Chadwick

Take water, but a nice walk in the cooler months. It is an all access for bikes, strollers, etc. Dogs welcome as well. Bathrooms and seats throughout.

Jenny Bailey

Always a good time when we get to feed Mr. And Mrs. Canada. Their favorite is cracked corn. But leave it on the concrete walkway because it sinks in the water.

Taimi Tillinghast

The most beautiful place to have a wedding. I give my thanks to Warren in parks and recreation for walking me through the website to make this all happen. The website could be a little more user-friendly to set up reservations.

Crystal Smihula

Lots of shade, nice walks for those from young to aged, and all sorts of wildlife. One of our favorite morning walk spots.

Christopher Bullard

Great for a day trip and to get away from the city but not need to drive far away. Take a bike, walk, or even have a picnic and enjoy the water views. Bring a camera much wildlife to take photos of. Fishing is fun also here next to what I believe is a library.

L J

Great place to step into life, walk with the dog, or a friend, and get a good walk in. Surrounded by nature, bunnies, dogs, water, and much more.

David Roelfs

For a water preserve such as this and to be in the City limits of Gilbert (may be incorrect on the City?) not sure? Simply outstanding and breathtaking. Love to be able to feed the ducks and other birds. Came from a small town in Iowa. in Iowa a person would have to drive several miles to see something like this. Thank You Arizona

Jim Cunningham

Great outdoor spot. Come early to find close parking, otherwise use the Library lot next door

Tyler Conaway

This place is an urban oasis nestled in Gilbert. A true testament to the fact that a community can create an ecosystem and practice sustainability. Great for dogs and kids.

Daniela Emerick

A beautiful place to walk, explore, see wildlife, sit, reflect... Very well laid out paths and viewing areas.

Kristie McComb

So nice! Instructional, peaceful, lots of fun for all ages! And so many birds!

Kathy S

Peaceful and beautiful. Great for a walk. The lake is stocked.Must acquire a license in order to fish legally

Marcy Cain

A lovely place to walk and enjoy a large variety of birds. The trails are easy with benches along the way.

Karen Childers

Quiet, sunset, bunnies, duckies, cranes, great time on Christmas Eve!

Grace K

beautiful place to walk around, take a significant other, enjoy a sunset. so many trails!

K B

Beautiful & serene. Numerous walking paths with plenty shade!

Heather J

Free to the public and you can walk the trails with your leashed dog. Beware of the goose. He is very territorial....lol.

Ashley Hendrickson

I love it here! Whether I just need a moment in nature, want to get out of the house for some homework or take the kids on a small hike close to home.

Randi Benlulu

One of our favorite places to walk. You can feed the ducks, play in the playground or just take a walk

Dan Jones

LOVE! The Riparian Preserve! Great place to take our kids to experience some wildlife. Geezer snowbirds clog up the parking lot, but the area is big enough that it's not a huge deal once you're in and walking around. The place is kept up pretty well (especially for all the traffic that comes through here) and there's a good volume and variety of birds to see in all seasons.

Kira Hamill

Excellent place to get out and enjoy some wild life, we love bringing the kids to see the rabbits, ducks and turtles.

Daniel Lawrence

This is a swick place to spend a good chunk of your day! The wildlife, plants, and ponds are all so cool to check out. A real treat in the suburban desert. Sometimes smells mildly like earthy poop but I still recommend going. Lots of trails to explore and sights to see. Also thank you to whoever decided to put a restroom in the middle of the preserve. Best idea of the whole project, really came in handy.

SueAnn Canfield

Went to the Riparian Preserve with my boyfriend for a picnic. It was beautiful, scenic and peaceful.

Mike Savarese

Amazing place to to walk, relax and meditate. Lots of trails and wildlife to enjoy.

Stephanie Salem

Great place for easy walking in a local area. I wish the signs weren't sun faded so I could read them with ease.

Sonja Stafford

Beautiful spot to take a walk and get some air. Great for photography as well.

Jaydip Patel

A beautiful and peaceful place! Nice sunset view!

Philippe Jacques Kradolfer

Riparian Preserve are a series of shallow ponds located in Gilbert, Arizona. The preserve was created in 1999 to combine water resources and wildlife habitat including educational programs, and recreational opportunities. It is nice place to stroll, watch birds and take pictures. The Riparian Preserve also includes a conglomerate of several miles of trails. The Preserve houses a large number of species of birds, insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. In the past few years water has gone down so that several of the ponds have dried out.

Tony Cleveland

Peaceful place in the early am for coffee. Nice walking paths with various wildlife. One of my favorite places.

Ngoc Dao (Dobino)

Beautiful and relaxing place. Perfect for taking photos but parking is very limited

nick hawkins

Beautiful park with some great bird watching and water shore line seating.

Ikayuro

We came out here for a Pokemon Go Community event, and we were not disappointed! Not only are there plenty of Pokestops, but it's also a really nice place to just go for a walk, or fish!

Teri DeHart

My daughter had a commitment ceremony at Riparian. Beautiful background for this intimate & reverent ceremonial event.

David Thralls

Cool place to walk around. There's a public library right there too. Remember books?

Yadira Arredondo

Great place for all ages people... absolutely recommend this place to be added in your Must Visit places for outdoors 🥰. We did a loop of a total of 2 miles/5000 steps and my 2 year old had a blast with the large variety of vegetation and animals. The dinosaur place was a nice surprise!!! …

Sousa Larson

What an absolutely amazing place!! I had no idea this beautiful area was here. I cant wait to go back.

Alan Luse

Great place to stretch your legs and get back to nature in the middle of town. The lake near the library has fishing. The rest of the ponds are part of the Gilbert water recharge system and have an abundance of wildlife. Signage throughout explains the various ecological zones and what wildlife that is likely to be present.

3D Dave's RC

Great place to take an early morning walk. Lots of wild life. Found a kindness rock this morning, Awesome find, been looking and this is the 1st time finding one.

Jen Bancino

Tranquil stroll through all the desert foliage. Usually pretty busy but still a great place to unwind! Many loops and trails to wander through.

barbara cisneros

Peaceful walking retreat and bird sanctuary. Playground for children.Dog friendly

Caleb Cooper

REALLY COOL PLACE FOR FIELD RECORDINGS, I DON'T LIKE BRINTON, BUT THIS PLACE IS GOOD FOR FIGURING OUT HOW TO RESPOND TO THE HARVARD CRIMSON GLOBAL ESSAY COMPOTITION 2023 PROMPTS, ALSO ASK JAMES FOR ADVICE, THAT HELPS.

Alex Maynez

Great place to take a little jaunt and let the kiddos explore and play. An oasis in an arid land.

Qichang Wang

Great place for casual walk and birding. This egret quickly taps water surface to attract small fish. Efficient fisherman!

Diane Merritt

This is a wonderful place to escape city life and walk, run, bicycle or find a bench to relax and enjoy the wildlife.

Jason Oguma

Cool little place in the heart of Gilbert

Harold Roach

This is a great place to take the family or a loved one on a walk. There are fish, ducks, and turtles in the lakes. Lots of birds and places the kids can run and play. I was interested in the observatory so we'll have to come back at night some time!

Amy Orchard

Amazing birding spot! Logged 63 species in one day including a Roseate Spoonbill and Streak Backed Oriole. Pelicans, Avoctes, Dowithchers, Stilts, Commarants, Herons, on and on.

Eric Sanny P

Nice outdoor nature area with many things to do and see. Great for kids and dogs! Does get a little crowded and parking is limited. Even the lot at the neighboring library fills up quickly.

Alexis Zaring

Well taken care of trails, bird and wildlife viewing is unmatched, and big enough that even on busy days you can usually find some peace and quiet. A Native Green Heron is pictured.

Narae C

My favorite park in Gilbert!!! I feel lucky to have such a beautiful park nearby where I live. This is a really special place to visit.

Alex de la Torre

Great place to walk around and see nature as it is. Bring a camera!

Anthony Opiola

Thought it was an amazing place to spend a little time walking around lakes and seeing a little wild life with my pooch. I also feel that this is a wonderful place to bring your family if you wanted to relax, or simply take a stroll. If you use Google maps to direct you to this place, it will probably take you to a small parking lot. If you would just head west a couple blocks and on the south side, it looks like additional parking might be available there. The only reason why I'm saying this is that it was rather busy.

Kirsten

Beautiful place to walk around and see some amazing sights.

Just Taylor

Birds, rabbits, drangonflies in abundance. Fishing, lots of space to be alone with nature. Highly recommend

Lara Exparza

Very nice place to walk around and take pictures.

Sally Hill

Do the Audobon guided tour. Marcus was witty, informative and friendly! So many birds to add to the our list!

Adrian Sear

One of the few areas to walk the dog in the shade. Lots of different path options and gets less crowded the deeper you go in.

Michael Fletcher

Terrific place to take my 2 golden retrievers for a swim with the ducks and geese.

Jeffrey Mitchell

Excellent paved walking trails, you can feed ducks and see fish and turtles. Very child friendly and great way to get outdoors. The parking lot is a bit small, though and bathrooms are not clean, but what do you expect?

Jeannette Johnston

The trails were flat and easily walkable with nice scenery.

Chris Halstead

Always enjoy coming here.

R. Hermes

Maney different kinds of birds to see. Love being around water. Quiet and relaxing.

Kathy Roth

Love this place. Be sure to remember bird seed!

April Sevigny

Beautiful peaceful place right in the midst of the city. Great place together away.

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