Reminder: visitation to Tres Rios is by permit only from sunrise to sunset.

Welcome to Tres Rios!

The Tres Rios Environmental Restoration project involves the rehabilitation of nearly 700 acres in and around the Salt River, restoring a vital wetland and riparian habitat. The project creates a mutual relationship between the renewed wetlands and the nearby wastewater treatment plant. 

The lush and scenic Tres Rios is now home to more than 150 different species of birds and animals like muskrats, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, bobcats, and beavers. The beautiful cottonwood groves, willows, mesquites, and other desert shrubs around the reed-lined ponds and along the trail attract many migratory and wintering songbirds. By bringing the Salt River back to the condition it was in during the early 1800s, this project is repairing a natural habitat. 

The reclaimed water from the wastewater treatment plant is pumped over to the wetlands, and the plants and animals take what they need before it is discharged back into the river.

Free Access Permits

Free access permits must be requested prior to visiting Tres Rios by clicking on the link "Request a Permit" (blue bar on the right).  Permits are valid for six months and allow unlimited visits between sunrise and sunset, 365 days per year. 

Birds of the Wetlands

 

 

The American avocet wades in shallow water and sweeps its long bill from side to side looking for insects and crustaceans.588https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/TresRios/American Avocet.jpgThe American avocet wades in shallow water and sweeps its long bill from side to side looking for insects and crustaceans.https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/TresRios/American%20Avocet.jpghttps://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=5880x0101009148F5A04DDD49CBA7127AADA5FB792B00AADE34325A8B49CDA8BB4DB53328F214009622620AE1AD29488B69169BCD79EB7EImage
Look closely and you might catch a glimpse of the American kestrel, the smallest falcon in North America.589https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/TresRios/American Kestrel.jpgLook closely and you might catch a glimpse of the American kestrel, the smallest falcon in North America.https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/TresRios/American%20Kestrel.jpghttps://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=5890x0101009148F5A04DDD49CBA7127AADA5FB792B00AADE34325A8B49CDA8BB4DB53328F214009622620AE1AD29488B69169BCD79EB7EImage
Tres Rios has everything a bald eagle needs: open water, plenty of fish, and old growth trees!590https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/TresRios/Bald Eagle.jpgTres Rios has everything a bald eagle needs: open water, plenty of fish, and old growth trees!https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/TresRios/Bald%20Eagle.jpghttps://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=5900x0101009148F5A04DDD49CBA7127AADA5FB792B00AADE34325A8B49CDA8BB4DB53328F214009622620AE1AD29488B69169BCD79EB7EImage
Perhaps this barn owl forgot to check the clock before getting up for the day?591https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/TresRios/Barn Owl.jpgPerhaps this barn owl forgot to check the clock before getting up for the day?https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/TresRios/Barn%20Owl.jpghttps://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=5910x0101009148F5A04DDD49CBA7127AADA5FB792B00AADE34325A8B49CDA8BB4DB53328F214009622620AE1AD29488B69169BCD79EB7EImage
This male belted kingfisher watches carefully before it dives head-first into the water for its next meal.592https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/TresRios/Belted Kingfisher.jpgThis male belted kingfisher watches carefully before it dives head-first into the water for its next meal.https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/TresRios/Belted%20Kingfisher.jpghttps://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=5920x0101009148F5A04DDD49CBA7127AADA5FB792B00AADE34325A8B49CDA8BB4DB53328F214009622620AE1AD29488B69169BCD79EB7EImage
Do black-bellied whistling ducks really whistle? You bet they do!593https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/TresRios/Black Bellied Whistling Ducks.jpgDo black-bellied whistling ducks really whistle? You bet they do!https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/TresRios/Black%20Bellied%20Whistling%20Ducks.jpghttps://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=5930x0101009148F5A04DDD49CBA7127AADA5FB792B00AADE34325A8B49CDA8BB4DB53328F214009622620AE1AD29488B69169BCD79EB7EImage
Black-crowned night herons are social and like to roost and nest in groups.594https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/TresRios/Black-crowned night herons.jpgBlack-crowned night herons are social and like to roost and nest in groups.https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=5940x0101009148F5A04DDD49CBA7127AADA5FB792B00AADE34325A8B49CDA8BB4DB53328F214009622620AE1AD29488B69169BCD79EB7EImage
It’s just another day at the beach for this family of black-necked stilts.595https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/TresRios/black-necked stilts.jpgIt’s just another day at the beach for this family of black-necked stilts.https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/TresRios/black-necked%20stilts.jpghttps://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=5950x0101009148F5A04DDD49CBA7127AADA5FB792B00AADE34325A8B49CDA8BB4DB53328F214009622620AE1AD29488B69169BCD79EB7EImage
When you live in the ground like the burrowing owl, you want to spend your time in open habitats with sparse vegetation.596https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/TresRios/burrowing owl.jpgWhen you live in the ground like the burrowing owl, you want to spend your time in open habitats with sparse vegetation.https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/TresRios/burrowing%20owl.jpghttps://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=5960x0101009148F5A04DDD49CBA7127AADA5FB792B00AADE34325A8B49CDA8BB4DB53328F214009622620AE1AD29488B69169BCD79EB7EImage
A pelican enjoying a swim.597https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/TresRios/Pelican Alone.jpgA pelican enjoying a swim.https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/TresRios/Pelican%20Alone.jpghttps://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=5970x0101009148F5A04DDD49CBA7127AADA5FB792B00AADE34325A8B49CDA8BB4DB53328F214009622620AE1AD29488B69169BCD79EB7EImage
Pelicans in the desert? Not usually, but you can find them at Tres Rios!598https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/TresRios/Pelican Group.jpgPelicans in the desert? Not usually, but you can find them at Tres Rios!https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/TresRios/Pelican%20Group.jpghttps://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/MediaAssets/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=5980x0101009148F5A04DDD49CBA7127AADA5FB792B00AADE34325A8B49CDA8BB4DB53328F214009622620AE1AD29488B69169BCD79EB7EImage