Visitors to Arizona are often surprised to learn that our state isn’t just one giant desert. It has forests, mountains, and yes, even gorgeous bodies of water. Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert is something of a hidden gem, with lush vegetation, abundant wildlife, and waterfront trails that meander throughout the landscape.

Open since 1999, the 110-acre Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch combines water resource management with wildlife habitat preservation, an innovative concept you'll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.
TripAdvisor/erikjelinek
It features seven aquifer recharge basins, each one kept at a different water level to promote diversity.
Over 4.5 miles of trails meander through various landscapes, offering boundless adventure for hikers, cyclists, horseback riders, and anyone else who loves the outdoors.
AllTrails/Ingrid N.
You'll walk away with newfound knowledge about the flora and fauna of the area, as interpretive education panels are positioned along the trails.
Several of the trails skirt the waterfront, letting you take a closer look at all the ducks, fish, and other aquatic animals that make their homes here.
TripAdvisor/vlankiz
You may also want to bring along a pair of binoculars, as some 298 bird species have been identified here.
Leashed dogs are welcome, so your furry friends can enjoy the scenery, too.
TripAdvisor/ericjelinek
Weave through whimsical tree tunnels, stopping every so often at viewing blinds to marvel at wildlife with no obstructions.

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Babbling brooks cascade over a series of rocks, their pristine waters impossible not to gawk at.
Google/Carlos Osornio
Being this close to flowing water in the desert is something we'll never take for granted—this place is a true oasis!
The preserve also features an urban catch-and-release pond where you can brush up on your fishing skills.
AllTrails/Stina Dunagan
Few things are more relaxing than a leisurely afternoon spent casting lines.
Arizona sunsets are some of the best in the nation, and the preserve offers views that are second-to-none.
TripAdvisor/diangeltravel
Looking out from the boardwalk, pastel hues blanket the sky as far as the eye can see.
Don't leave without stopping by the observatory—it's the only one in the Valley!
AllTrails/Stina Dunagan
From dusk until 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, you can get up-close-and-personal with the cosmos in all their vast, mystical glory.

Visit the preserve’s website or Facebook page to learn more.

Have you ever been to Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch? If so, tell us all about your experience! Check out our previous article for a delicious BBQ restaurant to check out while you’re in town.

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2757 E Guadalupe Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234, USA