Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area

About

The Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area brings native wetland and riparian habitat back to a stretch of the Salt River, which once flowed year-round through Phoenix. For decades the riverbed here was used as a dump, until the city began cleaning it up in 2000. Walking the trails is free, and the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center on site has free admission too. More than 200 bird species have been recorded here, and the flat, easy paths come with views of South Mountain and downtown. Trails run along both banks of the riverbed, with trailheads off Central Avenue, 7th Avenue, 7th Street and 16th Street. Hours run from sunrise until 7 at night or sunset, whichever comes first.