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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-26Jun2026
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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🪴Prepare for our Fall Plant Sale by previewing our lineup of succulents, cacti, perennials, shrubs, and more! View the complete list by clicking the link in our bio.
All plants are in limited supply and available on a first-come, first-served basis, so if there`s a plant you`re eyeing, come get it before it`s gone!
Fall Plant Sale:
📅October 17 - November 1
⭐October 16: Member`s Preview
🕗8:00 am - 5:00 pm
#fallplantsale #fallgardening #gardening #arizonagardening #desertgardens #cactiforsale #plantlovers
The Sonoran Desert is home to at least nine species of leopard frogs. Who knew something that depends so much on water could survive in a place like Arizona?
These frogs can be spotted in the Demonstration Garden pond and the Desert Legume Garden pond. They can be shy and will hide when you first approach, but if you give them time you`ll be rewarded with some cute froggy faces.
#leopardfrog #DesertWildlife #FrogLovers #frogsofinstagram #naturelovers
It`s officially spooky season!
What better way to celebrate than showing some appreciation for our tarantula friends? Tarantulas are the biggest spiders in North America and are expert hunters. The hairs on their body help them sense movement, guiding them to their prey. They are known to eat beetles, grasshoppers, and sometimes even mice!
These unique spiders are timid and fragile, so always keep a safe distance when observing in the wild.
#deserttarantula #tarantula #spookyseason #spiderlovers #DesertWildlife
Join us every Wednesday from now through April 2027 for a guided bird walk! As an Important Bird Area, Boyce Thompson Arboretum is the perfect place for new and advanced birders alike.
📆 Every Wednesday
🕣 8:15 - 9:30 am
🎟️Free with Admission
No binoculars? No problem! Loaner binoculars are available at our admissions window.
Walk size is 15 people. Registration is first come, first serve. To register for a walk, sign up at the Gift Shop. Reservations are not accepted.
**Due to the holiday, there will not be a Bird Walk on December 23**
#birdwalk #arizonabirding #birdsofarizona #ImportantBirdArea #birders #birdlovers #BirdEducation
Is your garden ready for fall? Here`s some garden chores you can getting started on:
🌱Plant trees, shrubs & perennials.
🌱Start your vegetable garden.
🌱Clean up after monsoon season.
In need of more plants? Mark your calendars for our Fall Plant Sale! Starting October 17th (with a member`s preview on the 16th), you can shop for plants from around the world perfectly adapted to our climate.
#plantsale #fallplants #FallGarden #arizonagarden #gardenchecklist #gardenchores
With the Green Gala almost a month away, we wanted to take some time to appreciate all our sponsors! Your generosity makes this celebration possible and advances our mission to inspire, educate, and conserve.
Interested in attending? It`s not too late! See the link in our bio for more information.
#greengala #btarboretum #SponsorAppreciation #donorappreciation #natureeducation #NatureConservation
Seeing an Easter Lily Cactus bloom is a very special experience. The flowers are large and showy, a beautiful thing to observe, but are only open for a single night. They demonstrate that even if something is temporary, it doesn`t make it any less meaningful.
#easterlilycactus #cactusbloom #desertblooms #cactuslovers #aznature #plantlovers #plantfacts
Our hours are changing! From October to April we will be open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Last admission at 4:00 pm.
The cooler weather also means there`s more fun to be had at the Arboretum! Join us for:
🍃Family Workshops
🍃 Weekly walks and tours
🍃Outdoor Yoga and Forest Bathing
🍃 Watercolor and Photography classes
🍃And more!
Check out our events calendar to see all we have planned. See the link in our bio!
#winterhours #thingstodoaz #visitsuperior #visitphoenix #visitmesa #familyactivities #outdooractivites #btarboretum