Arboretum Adventures
Field Trips to Boyce Thompson Arboretum are fun, hands-on, immersive experiences. Learners’ adventures on the trails are full of discovery and connection to the natural world.
Each field trip helps learners improve their science inquiry skills and is tied to Arizona State Science Standards. Plus, they follow the 5 E Instructional Model for deep, high-quality learning.
For more information and to request a booking, please see below.
Guided Field Trips
Learners discover the 4 components of habitat: food, water, shelter, and space.
Stations
- Tag your Habitat: Playing a game of tag, learners will play as birds looking for their habitat components. What happens when there are not enough components to survive?
- AZ Science Standards: K.L1U1.6. K.L1U1.7, K.L2U1.8, 1. L2U2.7, 1.L2UI.8, 1.L4U3.11, 2.L2U1.9
- Graph an animal: Learners will conduct a field investigation to count the animals they see around the Arboretum. After, they will make a bar graph to determine which animals they saw most and least.
- AZ Science Standards: 1.L2U2.7, 2.L2U1.9
- Habitat Scavenger Hunt: Learners will explore the Arboretum while searching for examples of food, water and shelter
- AZ Science Standards: K.L1U1.6. K.L1U1.7, K.L2U1.8, 1. L2U2.7, 1. L2UI.8, 2.L2U1.9, 2.L2U1.10
Learners will explore the structural adaptations of desert plants that help them survive.
Stations
- Desert Leaves: Learners will take data from real life desert leaves to determine which adaptations they have developed to survive in the harsh desert environment.
- AZ Science Standards: 3.L1U1.5, 4.L4U1.11,5.L4U3.12
- Seed Dispersal Investigation: By conducting a series of experiments, learners will determine how different seeds disperse.
- AZ Science Standards: 3.L1U1.5, 4.L4U1.11, 5.L4U3.12
- Adaptations Scavenger Hunt: Learners will explore the Arboretum in search of plants with unique arid environment adaptations.
- AZ Science Standards: 4.L4U1.11, 5.L4U3.12
Learners explore the concepts of food webs and food chains as they observe and investigate the plants and animals of the Arboretum.
Stations
- Owl Pellet Dissection: Learners will dissect a real owl pellet and determine what the owl ate for dinner.
- AZ Science Standards:2.L2U1.9,2.L2U1.10, 3.L2U1.7, 3.L2U1.8, 5.L4U3.11, 6.L2U3.12, 6.L2U1.13
- Skulls and Teeth Investigation: What can teeth tell us about what an animal eats? Learners will look at three different desert animal skulls and determine what it eats by its teeth alone.
- AZ Science Standards:2.L2U1.9,2.L2U1.10, 3.L1U1.5, 3.L2U1.7,3.L2U1.8
- Food Web Scavenger Hunt: Learners will explore the Arboretum while on the lookout for food web components.
- AZ Science Standards:1.L2U2.7, 1.L2UI.8, 2.L2U1.9,2.L2U1.10,3.L2U1.7, 3.L2U1.8
Enjoy a one-hour guided walking tour of the Arboretum to learn about its 100-year history and the fascinating plants within it. Not recommended for younger learners.
Self Guided Field Trips
Explore the Arboretum at your own pace! Enjoy as an entire field trip or as a station on your guided field trip. Bring your own activities or take advantage of ours!
Use pictures and simple words to look high and low for everything on the list!
Explore the Arboretum through the lens of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math concepts. Each garden has a corresponding booklet activity for learners to engage with.
Join us for an Arboretum Adventure.
Homeschool Days
We offer several homeschool specific events throughout the year to take the hassle out of scheduling a field trip. Our Homeschool Days feature curriculum from our high-quality field trips plus extra activities!
Upcoming homeschool days:
Sponsors
Field Trip Pricing
K-12 School (Public, private, charter, etc.
Guided
Learner: $9
Teachers and school staff: $0
Chaperones 1:5 ratio: $0
Extra chaperones: $10
Self-guided
Learner: $7
Teachers and school staff: $0
Chaperones 1:5 ratio: $0
Extra chaperones: $10
*Title One schools may be eligible to receive a discount.
Homeschool/Youth Organization
Scout Groups
Guided
Learner: $9
Chaperones: $10
Self Guided
Learner: $7
Chaperones: $10
Booking Information
- November 12th, 2025 – April 24, 2026, Tuesday through Friday.
- The minimum group size for all field trips is 15 learners. Guided trips can accommodate up to 80 learners. Self-guided trips have a maximum of 100 learners.
- Field trips must be booked at least three weeks in advance. Groups that arrive without a confirmed field trip will not be accepted and must pay full admission.
- Cancellations, rescheduling, and/or changes to your final headcount can be made up to 14 days before your scheduled field trip date. No refunds or rainchecks will be given after the 14-day window.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What should we bring with us?
Each learner should bring a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, a hat, and closed-toe shoes. Groups may also bring sack lunches to eat in our picnic area.
Where do we park?
Buses park in the bus parking area on the north side of the parking lot near the exit gate. All other vehicles park in the main parking lot.
Who will we meet in the parking lot?
You will be greeted by an education staff member when you arrive.
What if we are running late?
If you are running late, please call (520)689-4700 to notify the staff. We reserve the right to adjust your field trip to best fit the scheduled timeline.
How many students are in a group?
Depending on the number of learners attending, you will be divided into groups of 10-15
learners.
Can we go into the gift shop?
Yes! We ask that you send small groups of 3-6 students at a time.
How do we pay for our field trip?
We accept day-of payment or payment by invoice. For day-of payments, we accept cash and card. For payment by invoice, we accept cash, card, or check. Please inform our education staff of your preferred payment type. Payments must be received all in one transaction.
Can extra chaperones pay on the day of the field trip?
No. All extra chaperones must prepay the school prior to the field trip. Otherwise, they will be charged full admission at the admissions booth.
Is the $25 deposit refundable?
No, the deposit is not refundable regardless of when you cancel the field trip. Schools may send a purchase order in lieu of the $25 deposit.
What if it rains during my field trip?
Boyce Thompson Arboretum field trips are rain or shine, but you can cancel if you feel your learners are unequipped for the rain. While we will try our best to reschedule your trip, we cannot guarantee another date will be available.
I am a Title I school. Do you offer scholarships?
Yes! Title I schools are eligible for reduced admission as well as transportation reimbursement. Please contact education staff for more information.
Can I bring my dog on the field trip?
In order to support a conducive learning environment, please leave pets at home. Service animals are always welcome.
Do you have a space to eat lunch?
Yes. You are welcome to eat sack lunches in our picnic area, which seats a maximum of 120 individuals.
I use a wheelchair. What kind of trail conditions can I expect?
Our trails consist of unpaved and uneven dirt paths. Many of these paths are navigable by most mobility devices, though some trails may be challenging to access. Please contact our education staff at [email protected] when booking your visit so we can provide detailed information about trail accessibility and assist with any necessary accommodations.
What happens if I bring less than 15 learners?
You will be charged the minimum of $107 for self-guided trips and $135 for guided trips.
How soon should I book?
We require a minimum of 3 weeks’ notice to book a field trip
What is your cancellation policy?
You can cancel or reschedule your trip up to 14 days before your field trip
Questions? Send us a message.
#1Arb
Tag us on Instagram with
@btarboretum #1Arb
Watch out for this dangerous cousin of the cucumber.
Gila manroot (Marah gilensis) is a perennial vine in the gourd family. The long vines grow from tubers underground that can weigh up to 50 lbs. While its unique, spikey fruits may look enticing, they are toxic to humans. It`s best to leave these sprawling vines as decoration.
Plan your visit and explore fascinating native plants at the link in bio.
#btarboretu #boycethompsonarboretum #desertplants #nativeplants
Looking for something to do over Spring Break? Plan a trip to the Arboretum!
Explore desert wonders from all over the world. Plan your visit at the link in bio.
#thingstodoaz #boycethompsonarboretum #superioraz #springbreak
Whether you`re starting a new landscape or adding to growing plant collection, Boyce Thompson Arboretum`s Spring Plant Sale has the perfect native and desert adapted plants.
Pick up new trees, shrubs, perennials, and more for your garden or landscape. This plant sale features an array of plants from around the world, including plants native to the southwestern states and northern Mexico. These plants are better adapted to a climate like ours, making them more sustainable and water-wise.
March 14-29
8 am - 5 pm, daily
37615 E Arboretum Way
Superior, AZ 85173
BTA Members receive 20% off during plant sales and get early access to the sale on March 13. Start the spring season with a garden refresh!
#boycethompsonarboretum #desertplants #nativeplants #springplantsale
Boyce Thompson Arboretum is traveling to your classroom!
Boyce Thompson Arboretum classroom outreach brings outdoor learning to your school through S.T.E.A.M. units offering inquiry-based, engaging lessons that explore the world of plants as well as the phenomena of the Sonoran Desert. Learn how plants grow in our arid environment, the amazing adaptations of wildlife in the desert, and how to start and maintain a pollinator garden at your school.*
Classroom outreach is one piece of the Arboretum`s initiative to bring quality education to schools within the Copper Corridor. Thank you to our sponsor, @resolutioncopper, for making outreach possible.
Outreach sessions for the 2026-2027 school year are booking now. Learn more and schedule an outreach session at the link in bio.
*Some outreach programs are limited to schools within the Copper Corridor
#btarboretum #boycethompsonarboretum #outreach #stemeducation
What are you hoping to pick up at Boyce Thompson Arboretum`s Spring Plant Sale?
Spring Plant Sale begins March 14th and runs through March 29th, 8 am – 5 pm daily. BTA Members receive 20% off during plant sales and get early access to the sale on March 13! Become a member at the link in bio.
#btarboretum #boycethompsonarboretum #springplantsale #desertplants #springplanting
See beautiful and unique floral and horticultural displays at SPRING FEVER 🌺
Desert Designers & Gold Canyon Garden Club present SPRING FEVER 2026, A National Garden Club Small Standard Flower Show. Members of Desert Designers & Gold Canyon Garden Club come together to expand and exhibit their knowledge and skill of Floral design.
Open to the public – Free with Arboretum’s standard admission
Viewing Hours:
Saturday March 21st, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday March 22nd, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
This flower show is held in honor of Kim Gray, Executive Director of Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Arizona’s largest and oldest botanical garden.
Plan your visit at the link in bio.
#btarboretum #boycethompsonarboretum #floraldesign #flowershow
Penstemon parryi is in bloom across the gardens. Native to the Sonoran Desert, this wildflower is adding stunning pops of pink across our desert landscape.
Come see what`s blooming. Plan your visit at the link in bio.
#btarborteum #boycethompsonarboretum #springblooms #nativewildflowers
March is daffodil month! Symbolizing spring, new beginnings, and happiness, these flowers are definitely adding joy to our gardens.
Every season has something new to offer. Plan your visit at the link in bio.
#btarborteum #boycethompsonarboretum #SpringBlooms #DesertBloom #daffodils