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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

Frolic Through Over 5,000 Lavender Plants At Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm In Arizona

Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm in Arizona offers a serene escape with over 5,000 lavender plants and various lavender-infused products.

Published Mar 10, 2021

Written by 

Katie Lawrence

There's a misconception that nothing grows in the desert, and Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm is proof of the contrary. Nestled in the White Mountains, this family-owned farm produces some of the freshest, most aromatic lavender in the world. Come frolic through over 5,000 lavender plants, pick up some lavender-infused goodies at the farm store, and enjoy the simplicity of small-town Arizona living.

Dating to the early 1900s, Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm is a hidden gem in the high-elevation, alpine forest landscape of Arizona.

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Facebook/Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm

Tucked away in the charming mountain town of Pine, the farm offers a blissful escape from the hustle and bustle of big city life.

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Surrounded by lush woodland terrain and herds of elk, the farm offers boundless peace and serenity.

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Facebook/Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm

It's open year-round, so you can get your lavender fix in every season.

Three distinct types of lavender grow here: Royal Velvet, Provence, and Grosso.

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Facebook/Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm

The first two are primarily used in cooking, while Grosso is for essential oils, sachets, and bouquets.

Harvesting typically begins in the spring and lasts through about mid-summer.

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Facebook/Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm

The lavender is grown using spring-fed water from Pine Creek, which nourishes the plants in a truly unparalleled way. Additionally, the high elevation and dry air help bring out the natural oils in the herb, increasing its healing and aromatic properties.

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Although you can't bring home fresh lavender in the colder months, the farm store is open on weekends during winter.

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Facebook/Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm

Hours are 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Sunday (weather dependent).

You'll see all sorts of homemade products, both cosmetic and culinary.

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Facebook/Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm

From lotion to baking sugar, just about every lavender-infused item imaginable can be found here. There's also an online shop if you can't make it to the store!

Other activities at the farm include cooking lessons, photoshoots, and private group tours.

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Facebook/Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm

If you've never had lavender chocolate chip cookies, your taste buds are in for a real treat.

Visit the farm's website or Facebook page to learn more.

Have you ever visited Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm? If so, tell us all about your experience in the comments section below, and check out our previous article for another farm in Arizona that's home to an incredible restaurant.

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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

The Audubon Center in Arizona Where You’ll See More Than 200 Bird Species in a Single Afternoon

You don't have to go too far to go birdwatching when you live in the Phoenix Metro area as we have our very own Audubon Center right here in the city.

Published Oct 17, 2024

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

You don't have to go too far to go birdwatching when you live in the Phoenix Metro area. In fact, we have our very own Audubon center right here in the city! This Audubon Center in Arizona serves as an oasis for over 200 bird species. Perhaps you can spend an afternoon here and see how many you can spot. Just bring your hiking shoes, a pair of binoculars, and maybe a Southwest birding guide for this outdoor adventure.

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Located within the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area in Phoenix lies the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center. Free to visit, this incredible Audubon Center is located at 3131 South Central Avenue.

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The only completely red bird in North America, the strawberry-colored male Summer Tanager is an eye-catching sight against the green leaves of the forest canopy. The mustard-yellow female is harder to spot, though both sexes have a very distinctive chuckling call note. Fairly common during the summer, these birds migrate as far as the middle of South America each winter. All year long they specialize in catching bees and wasps on the wing, somehow avoiding being stung by their catches. Summer Tanagers are medium-sized, chunky songbirds with big bodies and large heads. They have large, thick, blunt-tipped bills. This one was in Spartanburg, SC where they migrate in summer

The Rio Salado Audubon Center is set along the Salt River for 5 miles providing a riparian habitat rich in birds and other wildlife. In fact, over 200 bird species have been spotted throughout the 600-acre wildlife refuge. How many do you think you could spot in a single afternoon?

The Rio Salado landscape is a mix of wetlands, mesquite bosque, and forests filled with cottonwoods and willows. Birds love it here and so will you! During your visit, you may be able to spot an Anna's Hummingbird flittering around, a great blue heron wading in the river, or a greater roadrunner dashing across a trail.

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A shot of a road runner travelling through the desert.

While there are 5 miles of trails to enjoy, you may also want to participate in one of the Rio Salado Audubon Center's Free Guided Bird Walks. These informative hikes are held on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. and are a great way for people of all ages to learn about bird species found right here in Phoenix.

As someone who has worked at an Audubon Center for a number of years on the East Coast, I know how serious birdwatching can be. And I assure you, the Rio Salado Audubon Center is one of the best places for birding in Phoenix. Have you ever visited this Audubon Center in Arizona and, if so, did you go birdwatching? How many and which bird species did you spot? We would love to hear from you!

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Alan Vernon / Moment Collection via Getty Images

For additional information such as location, directions, and hours of operation, visit the Rio Salado Audubon Center web page. Keep in mind that the center itself is closed on Sundays and Mondays and on most holidays. However, the property around the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area is open 7 days a week throughout the year from dawn until 7 p.m. or dusk.

Would you like ideas for more outdoor adventures in Arizona? Take a look at the top hiking trails in Arizona, and download the AllTrails+ app as your guide.

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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

The Best Apple Cider in Arizona Comes From This Family-Owned Farm

Mortimer Farms is perfect for a fall day trip and some of the best apple cider in Arizona.

Published Sep 11, 2024

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

Why are the three months of fall the best part of the year? Well, at least that's how it is for me. As a New Englander-turned-desert-dweller, I used to think that fall fun only occurred where I grew up. After all, New England is the fall foliage capital of the U.S., right? Well, when I found out that fall is also a big deal here in Arizona, I fell in love with the state just a little bit more! Just like where my childhood roots are, there are farms, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, apples, apple cider donuts, apple cider, and other fall treats to be had in the Grand Canyon State. And if you're on the hunt for the best apple cider in Arizona, I suggest you visit Mortimer Farms.

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exterior of mortimer farms in arizona with a john deere tractor in foreground
Mortimer Farms/Google Reviews

Visiting a farm during the fall should be a requirement because there's no other place to really enjoy the season in such a fun way! Mortimer Farms is one of those farms that's perfect for a fall day trip in Arizona.

Located in Dewey, this family-owned farm offers seasonal events including its annual Pumpkin Fest & Corn Maze which runs from late September through late October. During this time, you can have fun watching pig races and a tractor parade, participating in a Friday night barn dance, picking out pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, meeting farm animals, going on a hayride, and so much more.

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Mortimer Farms/Facebook

You'll also find plenty of food options between all the food trucks and farm-fresh fall goodies like pies, apple cider donuts, and apple cider. In fact, you can watch an apple cider press demo at the fall festival to see how it's made right here at Mortimer Farms!

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adrianabeckova90 / 500px via Getty Images

Of course, you won't be able to resist taking home a half gallon or so of apple cider. Countless customers rave about how incredibly fresh and tasty Mortimer Farms' cider is whether you drink it hot or cold.

Another recommendation is the apple cider donuts if they're available. No one can resist an apple cider donut, especially one that's made fresh on a farm.

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Mortimer Farms/Facebook

Where have you had the best apple cider in Arizona? Is it Mortimer Farms in Dewey? For location, events, and pick-your-own information, visit the Mortimer Farms website and give its Facebook page a follow for updates on all the family-friendly farm fun!

Are you ready to explore the Grand Canyon State in the fall? Take a look at all the incredible fall destinations in Arizona. If hiking is on your list of things to do this fall, download the AllTrails+ app to find hiking trails near you.

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