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Critter Crawl – Night Tour
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 a closer look at the local critters. Plus, get the knowledge you need to be prepared for your own night-time treks. Preregistration is required and limited to 25 guests. For your safety, children 4 and under are not permitted.
Distance: Each experience is unique and follows the critters. However, you will walk no more than 1 mile.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Content Notice: This tour contains content regarding snakes, spiders, scorpions, bugs, owls, and other nighttime animals. The arboretum is primarily dark at night and has limited artificial lighting.
What to bring/wear: Close-toed shoes, plenty of water (at least 32oz/person), flashlights/headlamps for each member of your party, and snacks (if needed). Our gift shop will NOT be open to purchase water bottles or snacks.
Trail conditions: Trails are mostly flat, hard-packed dirt with small portions of sand and cobblestone. Trails are not leveled and contain uneven terrain, humps, and dips. Trail width is at minimum 2 ft across.
Restrooms: Wheelchair accessible restrooms are located in the Visitor’s Center.
Register Here: https://7830.blackbaudhosting.com/7830/Critter-Crawl-Night-Tour-17Oct2025-2
Questions? Please email [email protected] or call (520) 689-4525
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Imagine exchanging vows with your partner in the middle of a blooming desert garden. Tree branches sway gently in the wind and birds sing from above in a moment that feels calm and intimate. Surrounded by your closest family and friends, you feel a deep sense of peace that carries right into your new life together.
If this sounds like your dream wedding, send us a message! We`d love to be part of your special day. We offer a variety of elopement, ceremony, and reception spaces carefully selected to best match your needs. You can learn more at https://btarboretum.org/weddings/
Photo credit: @laurenschneiderphoto
It`s almost September - which means our hours are increasing! We`ll be open DAILY from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm. As the weather gets (hopefully) a little cooler, we hope you get the chance to enjoy the Arboretum a little longer.
#boycethompsonarboretum #btarboretum #outdoorfun #thingstodoaz #familyactivities #getoutside #aznature
Exploring the Arboretum can be a ribbiting experience! 🐸
These leopard frogs can be found cooling off in the Taylor Family Desert Legume Garden`s mini pond! If you get too close, they`ll dive into the water to hide, but if you`re patient enough, you may see one poking out from under a waterlily. Take some time to visit the Arboretum and say hello before they move on!
#leopardfrogs #amphibians #froglovers #herping #herpingarizona #azwildlife
Collecting and directing stormwater is essential for a desert garden`s survival. If left unmanaged, pooling rain can damage plants and nearby buildings. Thanks to the generous support of Water Wise Arboretum donors, we now have several stormwater features around the Smith Greenhouses! It helps protect our historic buildings and guides the water to plants that need it most.
You can spot one of these water capture systems in front of the Smith Greenhouses. Arizona poppies are currently blooming inside, a living proof of its success!
#WaterConservation #stormwaterdrain #waterflow #desertgarden #arizonapoppy
It`s time for another bird walk! Join us Wednesday, September 2 from 6:15 - 7:45 am for a guided walk through the Arboretum with a birding expert. During last month`s walk, we saw more than 30 unique bird species! You won`t believe how much life can be found in the desert.
Our bird walks are free with admission! We hope to see you there.
#birdwalk #birding #AZBirding #birdlovers #naturelovers #birdphotography
It`s National Dog Day! Celebrate this special occasion by giving your dog the spotlight they deserve. We are debuting a calendar highlighting our furry visitors and will fill it with pictures of YOUR DOGS!
Does your furry friend love visiting the Arboretum? Submit your favorite photo of them exploring our garden! We will select 12 of the best photos to be featured in the 2027 Dogs of Boyce Thompson Arboretum Calendar.
If your photo is selected, you will receive a FREE calendar. Anyone will be able to purchase them from our gift shop. They`ll make great keepsakes or holiday gifts to friends and family!
You can find the rules and submission link in our bio. Let us know if you have any questions! We are excited to share your photos with all our visitors.
#nationaldogday #dogcalendar #callforentries #dogphotography #photosubmissions #ArizonaDogs #doglovers
The vibrant color on this caterpillar is a warning sign to any predators: do not eat!
The Pipevine Swallowtail feeds on Pipevine plants as larvae. Because Pipevine leaves are toxic to many animals, consuming them makes the caterpillars toxic as well. Their eating habits make the perfect defense mechanism!
#pipevineswallowtail #pipevineswallowtailcaterpillar #catterpillar #arizonabugs #buglover
The coatis are back!
This family of coatis has recently been spotted exploring the Canyon Region. We`re happy to report that in all our observations of them, they seem happy, healthy, and safe.
As a reminder, if you see coatis (or any wildlife) on the trails, keep a distance of at least 50 feet and refrain from giving them any food. They have plenty of delicious snacks growing right here at the Arboretum. By respecting their space, we can ensure safety for the coati, humans and pets enjoying nature.
And of course - if you take any photos, don`t forget to tag us so we can see them!
#coati #coatimundi #arizonawildlife #desertlife🌵 #jujube #boycethompsonarboretum