Maricopa County Parks and Recreation: Desert Bathing & Quiet Nature Art

Celebrate National Public Lands Day with a peaceful walk that includes meditation and nature-inspired art to help you relax, create, and reconnect with nature. Led by Ranger Jacque. Celebrate National Public Lands Day with a unique experience of inner calm and creative expression—set in the serene Sonoran Desert of San Tan Regional Park. Inspired by the Japanese practice of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku)—a mindful, restorative immersion in nature—desert bathing invites you to slow down and engage all your senses in the natural beauty of the desert landscape. This gentle (slow and easy) guided walk on Little Leaf Trail fosters stress relief, boosts mood, and reconnects you with the present moment. Including a short outdoor meditation, the experience continues with Quiet Nature Art. You’ll be invited to create your own visual, written, or musical art using the inspiration and materials around you (you can also bring your own sketchpad and pencils if you like). No artistic experience is necessary—just a willingness to observe, reflect, and express. This combined program offers a powerful way to feel peace, presence, and personal connection with the land—all while honoring our public lands and the mental wellness they support. MEETING LOCATION: Main Trailhead by green picnic table No registration required.