# Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch: Lake Nature Trails & Kids' Dino Dig

> Place to go for families in the Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler area (AZ). Times are Arizona Time.

- When: Open daily 5:30 AM–10:00 PM; trails and wildlife habitat ponds open dawn to dusk
- Where: Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch, 2757 E Guadalupe Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234
- Ages: All ages; stroller-friendly wide packed gravel and paved pathways around fishing lake and recharge basins; permanent shaded Dino Dig bone-excavation sandbox for kids
- Price: Free admission and free parking; adjacent to Southeast Regional Library
- Schedule: Open daily 5:30 AM–10:00 PM; trails and wildlife habitat ponds open dawn to dusk
- Organizer: Town of Gilbert Parks and Recreation
- Official page: https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/riparian-preserve-at-water-ranch
- Last checked: Wed, Nov 4

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/activities/riparian-preserve-at-water-ranch-lake-nature-trails-and-kids-dino-dig--listing-e885a433046370ca236a4eb5

## About

The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is a 110-acre peaceful wildlife oasis in Gilbert featuring seven water recharge basins and a scenic fishing lake. Over 300 bird species visit the preserve during the winter migration season, making it one of the premier spots in Arizona for kids to spot pelicans, herons, egrets, and rare waterfowl along 4.5 miles of flat, stroller-friendly packed trails.

One of the biggest highlights for young children is the permanent outdoor Dino Dig site, a large shaded sand pit where kids can pretend to be paleontologists and unearth realistic cast dinosaur fossils. Bring small plastic shovels, buckets, and brushes to sweep away sand. The park is right next to the Southeast Regional Library and offers free parking and public restrooms.

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