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Critter Crawl Night Tour
Join us after dark on a night-time adventure with our Education Staff and Docents! Discover the amazing world of nocturnal life in the Sonoran Desert on this family friendly ‘crawl’. Guests will learn about Sonoran Desert ecology while taking a closer look at the local critters. Plus, you will get the knowledge you need to be prepared for your own night-time treks.
Preregistration is required and limited to 24 guests. For your safety, children ages 4 and under and pets are not permitted.
Register: https://7830.blackbaudhosting.com/7830/Critter-Crawl-Night-Tour-21Aug2026
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 artificial lighting is limited.
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: Mostly flat, hard packed dirt with small portions of sand and cobblestone. Our trails are not leveled and contain uneven terrain, humps, and dips. Trail width is at minimum 2 ft across.
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There`s just two more months until Boyce Thompson Arboretum`s Green Gala! 🌿Have you got your ticket yet?
Support the Arboretum by enjoying fine dining, entertainment, and education under the desert sky. Your generosity is what makes this celebration possible and advances our mission to inspire, educate, and conserve. We hope to see you there!
🗓️Saturday, November 7, 2026
🕛4:00-8:00pm
📍Hill House Property
38815 E Arboretum Way
Superior, AZ 85713
Visit the link in our bio to get tickets today!
#greengala #btarboretum #supportgardens #naturelovers #arizonanature
Back in March, our team rescued cacti from a construction site in El Paso, Texas. 🌵Now, just a few months later, the relocated Echinocactus horizonthalonius are in full bloom. We hope you enjoy the sight of these vibrant, pink flowers just as much as we do!
#rescuedplants #endangeredplants #echinocactushorizonthalonius #cactusbloom #desertbloom #naturelovers #cactusrescue
Even in September, cacti are blooming! No matter what time of year you visit the Arboretum, there will always be something new to see.
The Ferocactus wislizeni, also known as Fishhook Barrel Cactus, grows best in soil with good drainage with access to plenty of sunlight. It`s a low maintenance plant, perfect for gardeners of any level! If you keep it happy and healthy, you`ll get to enjoy its vibrant blooms.
#fishhookbarrelcactus #ferocactus #barrelcactus #desertplants #desertgardens #cactusblooms
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. Last admission at 2:00 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