Join Sonoran Institute and local experts to search for dragonflies at one of five locations. Discover dragonflies with experts at four locations, including walking river tours in the Santa Cruz River channel or a more physically accessible tour at Mission Garden. Family friendly and open to all, no prior knowledge required. See the full month’s itinerary for Santa Cruz River Dragonfly Festival here.
Los recorridos en el Condado de Santa Cruz y por el río del centro de Tucson son disponible en español.
Tours are limited to 15 and are popular, please let us know if you need to cancel your reservation. If tours are full, join the waitlist:
Santa Cruz County Tour – September 20
9:30 am – 12 pm
Join Michael Bogan of University of Arizona’s School of Natural Resources to learn about the dragonflies living along Potrero Creek in Nogales and the Santa Cruz River near Tumacácori National Historical Park. This tour will require walking on sloped and uneven ground. Plan for having feet that can get wet to get the most from your experience. Transportation is not provided but carpooling will be an option from the tour meeting location.
Mission Garden Tours – Mobility-aid Accessible
9 AM, 9:45 AM, 10:30 AM
Join Doug Danforth, author of Field Guide to the Damselflies and Dragonflies of Arizona and Sonora, to discover the dragonflies thriving along Mission Garden’s acequia, or replica irrigation canal. Mission Garden paths are not paved but are made of compacted material that is ADA compatible, relatively flat, and suitable for wheelchairs and walkers and thus our most accessible tour location.
In addition to a tour, explore activities for all ages! Make a dragonfly craft, check out dragonfly larvae with a microscope, and explore the rich agricultural heritage provided by the Santa Cruz River. Tendremos actividades en Español
Downtown Tucson River Tours, September 27 – Disponibles en Español
9 AM, 10:30 AM
Join Rocío Guzmán of University of Arizona’s School of Natural Resources and the Environment to learn about the dragonflies living in the Santa Cruz Heritage Project. This walking tour will take place in the Santa Cruz River channel and will require walking a short distance from the parking area to the sandy riverbed, as well as walking on sloped and uneven ground. Plan for having feet that can get wet to get the most from your experience.
Únete a Rocío Guzmán, de la Escuela de Recursos Naturales y Medio Ambiente de la Universidad de Arizona, para aprender sobre las libélulas que habitan en el Proyecto del Patrimonio del Santa Cruz. Este recorrido a pie se llevará a cabo en el canal del río Santa Cruz y requerirá caminar una corta distancia desde el área de estacionamiento hasta el lecho arenoso del río, así como caminar por terrenos inclinados y desiguales. Prepárate para mojarte los pies y así aprovechar al máximo la experiencia.
El Rio Preserve Tour, September 27
9 AM, 10:30 AM
Join Jeff Babson of Pima County Conservation Lands and Resources to discover the dragonflies living at the El Rio Preserve. This tour will take place on the banks of the wetlands in El Rio Preserve and will require walking a short distance from the parking area, as well as walking on sloped and uneven ground. Plan for having feet that can get wet to get the most from your experience.
Marana River Tours, September 27
9 AM, 10:30 AM
Join Scully Young of University of Arizona’s School of Natural Resources and the Environment and dragonfly field guide author Rich Bailowitz to learn about the dragonflies living along the Santa Cruz River near the Marana Heritage River Park. This walking tour will take place in the Santa Cruz River channel and will require walking from the parking area to the river, as well as walking on sloped and uneven ground. Plan for having feet that can get wet to get the most from your experience.
The 2025 Santa Cruz River Dragonfly Festival is a series of FREE events and activities brought to you by Club Congress, COX, Desert Diamond Casino, Landing Place Art Installation, Mission Garden, Playground Rooftop, Pima County Regional Flood Control District, Pima County Wastewater Reclamation Department, Pima County Conservation Lands and Resources, Queerd Science, Sonoran Institute, Town of Marana Parks and Recreation, Tucson Electric Power, Tucson Water, and University of Arizona’s School of Natural Resources and the Environment. Special thanks to Pima County Libraries for distribution of the dragonfly kits.