Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
The Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area is a 600-acre park with 39-acres of marshlands that stretches along the Salt River just south of downtown Phoenix. Once a dump site, the area is now a lush riparian corridor with five miles of paved and dirt trails dotted with unique design and user features. Bird watchers have spotted more than 200 species of birds (and counting…) in Rio Salado’s varied habitats from wetland ponds to mesquite bosque to cottonwood/willow forest.
There are a variety of paved and natural trails, most with smooth surfaces and minimal elevation changes.
Site Information
Region: Phoenix and Central
County: Maricopa
Directions: There are multiple entry points to the area, recommend using: 2439 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ
Latitude: 33.41925
Longitude: -112.072222
Operational Hours: Open all year, dawn til dusk
Admission or Fees: None
Best time to visit:Best during Spring and Fall migration season
Habitats: Desert, Marsh or Wetland, Lake or Pond, Stream or river, Urban or Suburban park
Know Before You Go
Safety First! Arizona has many beautiful places to explore and we’d like to help you make it a safe and enjoyable experience. Check out our recommendations for hiking precautions.
Species Highlights
Speciality: Abert’s Towhee, Costa’s Hummingbird, Mexican Duck
Charismatic: Anna’s Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Burrowing Owl, Curve-billed Thrasher, Gambel’s Quail, Gila Woodpecker, Greater Roadrunner, Lesser Nighthawk, Verdin, White-winged Dove
Contact Information
Parks and Recreation
City of Phoenix
200 W Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: 602-262-6863
Website: https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/rio-salado-habitat-restoration-area
Additional Resources
Learn more about birds reported at this location at eBird:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2602969
Additional Resources: Hiking Trails
