Visit and Explore

The Santa Cruz River is a unique resource in our community. Learn how to connect with this riparian habitat.

8 – 10 a.m., Today

River Run Network Creek Walk Santa Cruz River

7:30 – 9:30 p.m., July 17, 2025

Creatures of the Night at El Rio Preserve (July)

7 – 8 a.m., July 20, 2025

Signs of the Season Phenology Walk Late July

Student project infographic of a Gila topminnow

Santa Cruz River Lessons

Discover classroom activities inspired by the Santa Cruz River.

Lessons and Activities

Group of people standing on edge of Santa Cruz River

Santa Cruz River Dispatches

Connect with river stories from this month.

River Dispatches

Sonoran mud turtle in the Santa Cruz River

River Videos

Watch videos on our YouTube Channel.

YouTube Channel

Santa Cruz River in Marana AZ

Group of people in Santa Cruz River

People standing in river holding measuring equipment

Two people measuring length of a turtle

Sonoran mud turtle in the Santa Cruz River

View of people in Santa Cruz River Channel

Researchers gathering plant data in transect square

People looking in container filled with water and aquatic life

Coyotes walking along a river in Tucson

Image of 2 Sonoran Desert toads

Santa Cruz River in Marana

People standing in Santa Cruz river

People standing in a river looking at rocks

Person holding dragonfly in their fingers

Image of Vermilion Flycatcher, a bird with a red head and chest, with gray wings