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 BTA relies on admissions, memberships, donations, grants, and gift shop sales to fund the Arboretum.

Yes, BTA offers the following discounts*:

Group Admission Discount ($3 off all price types)– Groups who schedule an approved group visit through BTA staff members will receive a discount of $3 off/person for groups of 10 or more paid admissions when paying in one transaction. Inquiries for scheduling a group admission discount must be received at least one week prior to the visit or risk not being approved. Groups who do not schedule a group visit with BTA staff prior to arriving on-site will not receive this discount. 

Homeschool Group Discount ($5 off adult admission and $1 off child 5-12 admission)– Homeschool groups who schedule with BTA staff will receive this discount. Inquiries for scheduling a homeschool admission discount must be received at least one week prior to the visit or risk not being approved. Groups who do not schedule a group visit with BTA staff prior to arriving on-site will not receive this discount. 

Member Guest Discount ($2 off all price types)- Members bringing guests who are not currently members of BTA will receive $2 off all price types for all guest they bring.

Military Discount ($2 off all price types)- The military discount is for active duty United States military members with a valid ID. ID must be presented before the transaction to receive the discount. The discount is only available for 2 people per active duty United States military member. 

College Student Discount ($3 off of all price types)- College students who present their ID will receive $3 off their admission. The discount is only applied to the student and no one else in their group, unless they present their own ID. Showing an “.edu” is not an acceptable form of identification. ID must be presented before the transaction to receive the discount.

Volunteer Admission Discount (Free for the volunteer)- Free admission is offered for all current BTA volunteers. They should present their volunteer ID badge to prove active status. Anyone accompanying the volunteer does not receive a discount.  ID must be presented before the transaction to receive the discount.

Culture Pass (2 free admissions per pass)- BTA participates in the Culture Pass program through Act 1. Check with your local Arizona library to see if they participate and to obtain a culture pass. 

* Discounts are subject to change without notice. Rules and exclusions apply.  On discount admission days no groups or busses are allowed on these days or cart or private tours. 

No, tax revenues are not part of the funding package for the Arboretum.

An arboretum is a type of botanical garden where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes.

BTA is just one hour from downtown Phoenix, and 30 minutes from Mesa—an easy and beautiful drive east on US60, part of which is designated as the Gila-Pinal Scenic Road.

Although at higher elevation than Phoenix, BTA is still in the Sonoran desert. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and water. We also recommend long pants and closed-toed shoes.

At this time, BTA does not have a restaurant. However, we do sell snacks and water. And the town of Superior, just three miles down  US60, has several restaurants.

We recommend at least two hours. Our gardens cover 135 acres, with 4.5 miles of trails. You could easily spend a half day exploring!

Trails are unpaved, but many trails are accessible to wheelchairs and easy to navigate. However, the Arboretum has not been fully equipped with accessible ramps or chair lifts. Dogs and other service animals are always welcome. We have a limited supply of manual wheelchairs to lend, please call our gift shop at (520) 689-4546 to inquire about use. We encourage visitors with accessibility concerns to call ahead. We are happy to work with you to make your visit an enjoyable one.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum welcomes well-behaved dogs at no additional cost. Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet long and owners are responsible for cleanup. Please do your part to preserve this privilege.

Yes. BTA has reciprocal admission with 360+ other gardens, arboreta, and conservatories through the American Horticultural Society (AHS) Reciprocal Admissions Program.

Reciprocal admission applies to members of AHS or reciprocating gardens that are 90 miles or more from Boyce Thompson Arboretum. This is in accordance with the Local Visitor Exception guidelines of the AHS Reciprocal Admissions Program. *Desert Botanical Garden and Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix are within 90 miles of BTA, therefore the reciprocal admissions benefit does not apply to members of these gardens.

Please refer to the AHS Reciprocal Garden Network Map for the most up-to-date list of participating institutions, guidelines, and exclusions: ahsgardening.org/gardening-programs/rap/

No, BTA is no longer a State Park, or part of the University of Arizona. BTA is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, EIN 88-0061520. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The Arboretum is a beautiful backdrop to your life’s most important moments, starting December 1st, 2023 photography is allowed with a permit. Visit our photography at BTA page for details on how to obtain a permit and to view our photography policy.

BTA members receive unlimited free admission and a discount on merchandise and plants. Ask at the Visitor’s Center, call 520-689-2723, or join online at btarboretum.org/membership. To enjoy the beauty of the Arboretum with the rewards and camaraderie of volunteering, visit our Support page.