Neely Ranch Riparian Preserve — Attraction in Gilbert

Not sure why anyone would consider this place "scary". It is Gilbert, after all, and the scariest part of Gilbert is how much suburbia there is! Parking is easy: pull in off of Cooper Road at the sign, go through the parking lot, and park in the gravel area beyond. The trail leading to the Ramada is right there. It is a short path to the Ramada. The bird watching is only okay; every thing is fenced off at the Ramada. Not sure why Gilbert doesn't open the trails. I do agree that the Water Ranch further east is the star attraction of the area for both recreation and bird watching.

Review update: Gilbert just got voted safest city in AZ. Now...

No good! I came here since I was already in the area, and the other reviews that are less than 3 stars are correct. There is absolutely nothing to see. Sign by the street was worn out so it was hard to see where to turn in. When I finally turned in, it was a very small parking lot and no cars. I looked ahead. hoping to see nature and I only saw a bunch of dust. I do know that a canal path passes behind so maybe views are better if you are walking the canal trail, but from the parking lot, there was not way for me to access any trail- just dust and cakey...

As a riparian preserve, this place is fantastic. There are quiet ponds alive with a variety of bountiful wildfowl. It is not really a destination for human visitors as as you have access to very, very little. There is a 1-minute trail leading up to a ramada with very limited views of a couple of small ponds and a concrete bench from which you can enjoy the sounds and solitude. The main preserve, of course, is down at Guadalupe...