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Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch
4.8 ★★★★★ 7,547 Google reviews · Running trail in Gilbert, Arizona · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Expansive natural area with 7 ponds & hiking trails, plus an observatory.& dinosaur-bone dig site.
What runners say about Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch
“Everything was well maintained and I liked how many walking paths there were.”
“Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is a beautiful, peaceful spot in Gilbert with great walking trails and lots of wildlife like birds, ducks, and turtles.”
“I reminded me a little of the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, with its wide, groomed trails and trees and bushes (mildly) cultivated to create shady walking paths.”
“Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is a beautiful, peaceful spot in Gilbert with great walking trails and lots of wildlife like birds, ducks, and turtles.”
There are places you go to look at nature, and then there are places you go to heal. The Riparian Preserve isn't just a park to me; it is a sanctuary. It is my reset button, my breath of fresh air, and arguably one of my favorite places on this entire earth. I have walked these paths for over 25 years.
We came thinking it was an open area to be able to see the planets align last night. What we found was something worthy of a review. There was a wedding in one area, maternity photos, family pictures, and a group with a professional photographer in another.
Way to go, City of Gilbert, for creating and maintaining a beautiful riparian area with well-marked and cared-for trails! I’ve lived in the Valley for years and am ashamed to say this is my first time experiencing this lovely park.
The grounds are stunning! This is a very family friendly area. Kids, bikes, dogs, fishing , stroller friendly. I loved the walking trails and wildlife, beautiful birds. Very clean, well maintained. I LOVE THIS PLACE! I will definitely be going again soon.
Trail conditions & character
“Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is a beautiful, peaceful spot in Gilbert with great walking trails and lots of wildlife like birds, ducks, and turtles.”
“Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is a beautiful, peaceful spot in Gilbert with great walking trails and lots of wildlife like birds, ducks, and turtles.”
“The parking was limited by the time we got there but it looks like there’s 2 different areas to park Definitely a nice outdoor space to enjoy.”
“Has paved and dirt paths, Picnic tables, restroom, an area for younger children, and some informational notifications.”
“I reminded me a little of the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, with its wide, groomed trails and trees and bushes (mildly) cultivated to create shady walking paths.”
“Has paved and dirt paths, Picnic tables, restroom, an area for younger children, and some informational notifications.”
Plan your run at Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websitegilbertaz.gov
- Phone+1 480-503-6200
Hours
| Monday | 5:30 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 5:30 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 5:30 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 5:30 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 5:30 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 5:30 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 5:30 am–10 pm |
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