Join Sonoran Institute and local experts to search for dragonflies at one of four locations. Discover dragonflies with experts at four locations, including walking river tours in the Santa Cruz River channel. Family friendly and open to all, no prior knowledge required. See the full months itinerary for Santa Cruz River Dragonfly Festival here.
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: TOUR WAITLIST
Mission Garden Tours – Mobility-aid Accessible
Join Doug Danforth 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, you can make a dragonfly craft, check out dragonfly larvae with a microscope, and explore the rich agricultural heritage provided by the Santa Cruz River.
Downtown River Tours – Accessible in Spanish and English
Join Rocio Guzman of UArizona’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.
El Rio Preserve Tour
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
Join Michael Bogan of UArizona’s School of Natural Resources and the Environment to learn about the dragonflies living along the Santa Cruz River near the Marana Heritage 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.
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Santa Cruz River Dragonfly Festival is a series of FREE events brought to you by Pima County Regional Flood Control District, Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department, Pima County Conservation Lands and Resources, Sonoran Institute, Town of Marana Parks and Recreation, UArizona’s School of Natural Resources and the Environment, Tucson Water, and Mission Garden. Special thanks to Pima County Libraries for distribution of the dragonfly kits.