Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch

The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is a lake in Gilbert, Arizona, USA, east of Greenfield Rd and south of Guadalupe Dr. The Town of Gilbert established the preserve in 1999 to combine water resources, wildlife habitat, educational programs, and recreational opportunities. The Riparian Preserve spans 110 acres, with 70 acres dedicated to seven water recharge basins.

The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch, located in the heart of Gilbert, is a scenic park with eight ponds, fishing opportunities, and hiking trails. Each pond has a trail that circles the water's edge. The Preserve is open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. This is an excellent place for a family outing, whether you want to learn more about the habitats and species in your area or just want a nice place to hike.

The Riparian Preserve also has over 4.5 miles of trails that lead to different vegetative zones, gardens, a paleontology dig site, and an observatory. The Preserve is home to 298 different bird, insect, fish, amphibian, reptile, and mammal species. The park has over 4.5 miles of trails that loop around it. Keep it simple by walking around one pond, or take on the challenge of exploring the entire preserve. The terrain is easy in either case, and the hikes will take between 20 minutes and an hour and a half, depending on how far you go.

This is a great local spot for walking, biking, bird and wildlife watching, or simply getting out in nature. Because it is shady, you can bring your dog here for a morning walk. It's peaceful, lovely, and all-around wonderful. There are some informative plaques along the way that talk about the various wildlife and other features of the park. There is a dinosaur dig as well as other activities for children. There are both paved and unpaved trails to choose from.

There are numerous places to find shade, benches to rest on, take a break, or simply gaze at the beauty. There are numerous play areas and interactive exhibits for children. It's best to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon during the summer.

This is an excellent location for walking and running. You get the impression that you are in the country, complete with ducks, geese, bunnies, birds, and other animals. It's eerily quiet. There is also plenty of shade for hotter days.