June through August: Open 6:00 a.m. to 12 Noon Wednesday through Monday, closed on Tuesdays. Closed Independence Day.
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Our Mission

The mission of Boyce Thompson Arboretum is to inspire appreciation and stewardship of desert plants, wildlife, and ecosystems through education, research and conservation.”

Every visit supports research, environmental education, and directly benefits the mission and success of Boyce Thompson Arboretum.

Donate & Support

Adult

$16

Youth (Ages 13-17)

$16

Child (Ages 5-12)

$10

Members & Children under 5

$0

Walks & Tours

From daily general tours to specialty walks focusing on birds, ethnobotany or geology, you’ll find the perfect tour for you!
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Wallace Desert Garden

Now open, the new Wallace Desert Garden encompasses 13 acres, 1.5 miles of trails, and 5,000 new plantings in an incomparable setting.
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Classes & Programs

Enjoy classes ranging from gardening tips to gourd art and photography. Some classes and activities have fees.
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Critter Crawl – Night Tour

July 18th, 7:30 pm9:00 pm

Join us after dark on a night-time adventure with our Education Staff! Discover the amazing world of nocturnal life in the Sonoran Desert on this family friendly ‘crawl’. Learn about Sonoran Desert ecology while taking…

Sunrise Hike

August 2nd, 6:30 am8:00 am

Get outside this summer with our staff on a family friendly educational hike! On this sunrise hike, learn about our unique collection plants, Sonoran Desert ecology, and meet our resident Sonoran Desert Tortoises. Be sure…

Members-Only Bat Netting

August 2nd, 7:00 pm10:00 pm

Join BTA and Arizona Game and Fish for a special members-only evening of bat netting! Witness the beauty of these winged creatures up close and personal and learn about their important ecological role as pollinators…

Glass in Flight

August 15th, 6:00 amAugust 31st, 12:00 pm

What if the insects we often overlook could stop you in your tracks with beauty? Step into a world where dragonflies hover overhead, butterflies balance on petals, and bees shimmer in sunlight—each one larger-than-life and…

Critter Crawl – Night Tour

August 15th, 7:30 pm9:00 pm

Join us after dark on a night-time adventure with our Education Staff! Discover the amazing world of nocturnal life in the Sonoran Desert on this family friendly ‘crawl’. Learn about Sonoran Desert ecology while taking…

Events

See what’s coming up

Each season brings exciting events and activities, from Family programs to specialty walks!

Check out our webinars, too!

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@btarboretum #1Arb

A quiet moment with the sun. Let the gentle sway of the sunflower remind you to slow down and soak it all in. ...

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Yes, plants can get sunburned, too! ...

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Why are these desert plants behind bars? It`s not what you think. ...

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These sunflowers know how to find the light. Watch them sway and shine. Proof that even in the heat, beauty blooms. ...

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This fascinating hemiparasitic plant plays a surprising role in the desert ecosystem. ...

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Boyce Thompson Arboretum will be closed on Friday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. We’ll reopen Saturday, July 5th from 6 AM to 12 PM. Wishing you a safe holiday! ...

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Why are bees obsessed with this tree? It’s all about the blooms. ...

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Agaves save all their energy for one epic bloom. Because for them, it’s now or never. ...

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