RIO SALADO HABITAT RESTORATION AREA
RIO SALADO
HABITAT RESTORATION AREA
Phoenix
Just two miles south of downtown Phoenix, where the Salt
River once flowed freely, a former dumping ground has been transformed into a
thriving oasis in the desert.
Hiking in The Rio
Salado Habitat Restoration Area is like taking a step back in time to an era
before dams placed along the Verde and Salt Rivers in the early 20th
century dried up the channel leaving behind a parched corridor of debris. Landfills and quarries moved in and the area
became blighted.
In 1993, the City of
Phoenix began efforts to restore a portion of the river to improve the urban
landscape, help in flood management and provide recreation and educational
opportunities. The $100 million project
was completed in 2005.
With the cooperation of the Army Corps of Engineers, the Flood
Control District of Maricopa County and droves of volunteers, tons of waste
were cleared out of the Salt River channel and replaced with ponds, waterfalls
and tens of thousands of indigenous plant species.
Although the 5-mile-long riparian
corridor looks as if it sprouted on its own, it�s a �demonstration wetland�
that was created by tapping into the groundwater beneath the river channel and
pumping more than three million gallons of water per day to sustain the
habitat. Stretching from 19th Avenue to 28th Street, the linear greenway
can be accessed via numerous parking areas and trailheads.
Trail segments are
organized to feature specific desert habitats such as Cottonwood-Willow, Lower
Sonoran, Mesquite Bosque and Palo Verde Forest.
Over 76,000 native the plants
were harvested from seeds or cuttings within a half-mile of the Salt River are flourishing
and attracting wildlife. Snowy egrets, raptors, toads and dozens of other
species have settled in. The site has over 14 miles of paved and dirt trails
and an Audubon Nature Center.
When hiking
here, remember that this is a sensitive area. Please stay on trails, do not
enter the water, leave everything as you found it and keep wildlife wild by
observing at a distance and never feed them. Leashed dogs are allowed on the
paved trails and handlers must pack out pet waste.
LENGTH: 14.7
miles total
North Overbank
Trail: 3.7 miles one way, paved
South Overbank
Trail: 3.9 miles one way, Paved
North Terrace
Trail: 3.9 miles one way, dirt
South Terrace
Trail: 3.2 miles one way, dirt
RATING: easy
ELEVATION: 1010' - 1070'
TRAILHEADS:
2439 S. Central Ave. (Northeast corner)
3212 S. 7th Ave. (Southwest corner)
2801 S. 7th Ave. (Equestrian Staging)
2875 S. 7th St. (Southeast corner)
3203 S. 16th St. (Southeast corner)
HOURS: open
daily sunrise to sunset or 7 p.m. whichever comes first
INFO & MAPS:
HABITAT RESTORATION AREA
Phoenix
 |
| Dragonflies live in the riparian corridor |
Just two miles south of downtown Phoenix, where the Salt
River once flowed freely, a former dumping ground has been transformed into a
thriving oasis in the desert.
Hiking in The Rio
Salado Habitat Restoration Area is like taking a step back in time to an era
before dams placed along the Verde and Salt Rivers in the early 20th
century dried up the channel leaving behind a parched corridor of debris. Landfills and quarries moved in and the area
became blighted.
 |
| The site attracts myriad birds and waterfowl |
In 1993, the City of
Phoenix began efforts to restore a portion of the river to improve the urban
landscape, help in flood management and provide recreation and educational
opportunities. The $100 million project
was completed in 2005.
With the cooperation of the Army Corps of Engineers, the Flood
Control District of Maricopa County and droves of volunteers, tons of waste
were cleared out of the Salt River channel and replaced with ponds, waterfalls
and tens of thousands of indigenous plant species.
 |
| Watch for herons, egrets and ducks in the secluded coves |
Although the 5-mile-long riparian
corridor looks as if it sprouted on its own, it�s a �demonstration wetland�
that was created by tapping into the groundwater beneath the river channel and
pumping more than three million gallons of water per day to sustain the
habitat. Stretching from 19th Avenue to 28th Street, the linear greenway
can be accessed via numerous parking areas and trailheads.
 |
| Desert Senna |
Trail segments are
organized to feature specific desert habitats such as Cottonwood-Willow, Lower
Sonoran, Mesquite Bosque and Palo Verde Forest.
 |
| Desert Willow |
Over 76,000 native the plants
were harvested from seeds or cuttings within a half-mile of the Salt River are flourishing
and attracting wildlife. Snowy egrets, raptors, toads and dozens of other
species have settled in. The site has over 14 miles of paved and dirt trails
and an Audubon Nature Center.
 |
| Audubon Center |
When hiking
here, remember that this is a sensitive area. Please stay on trails, do not
enter the water, leave everything as you found it and keep wildlife wild by
observing at a distance and never feed them. Leashed dogs are allowed on the
paved trails and handlers must pack out pet waste.
 |
| Seventh Avenue Bridge |
LENGTH: 14.7
miles total
North Overbank
Trail: 3.7 miles one way, paved
South Overbank
Trail: 3.9 miles one way, Paved
North Terrace
Trail: 3.9 miles one way, dirt
South Terrace
Trail: 3.2 miles one way, dirt
RATING: easy
ELEVATION: 1010' - 1070'
TRAILHEADS:
2439 S. Central Ave. (Northeast corner)
3212 S. 7th Ave. (Southwest corner)
2801 S. 7th Ave. (Equestrian Staging)
2875 S. 7th St. (Southeast corner)
3203 S. 16th St. (Southeast corner)
HOURS: open
daily sunrise to sunset or 7 p.m. whichever comes first
INFO & MAPS:
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