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 questions, please reach out to [email protected]
Field Trips Offered
SELF-GUIDED | Grades: K-12th
Explore the Arboretum at your own pace! Students can walk through five miles of trails to collections from around the world. Educators are welcome to bring their own activities to add to the adventure!
HOME SWEET HOME | Grades: K-2nd
Students will discover the four essential components of habitats and how animals thrive in the desert that they call home. This program includes two guided activities that allow students to take a closer look at signs of habitats all around them.
This program aligns with Arizona state science standards: K.L2U1.8, 1.L2U2.7, 1.L2U1.8, 2.L2U1.9, 2.L2U1.10, K.L2U1.8, 1.L2U2.7, 1.L2U1.8, 2.L2U1.9, 2.L2U1.1
WILDLIFE DETECTIVES | Grades 3rd – 4th
Students will act as junior biologists to investigate skulls, scat, and signs of animal activity in the arboretum to better understand adaptations of wildlife in the Sonoran Desert.
This program aligns with Arizona state science standards: 3.L1U1.5, 3.L1U1.6, 3.L2U1.8, 4.L4U1.11
HUMANS AND HABITATS | Grades 5th – 6th
Through exploration of features in the arboretum, students will identify the interconnectedness of ecosystems before examining how human activities might impact those systems and the species within them.
This program aligns with Arizona state science standards: 5.L4U3.11, 5.P2U1.3, 6.L2U3.11, 6.L2U3.12, 6.L2U1.13, 6.L2U1.14
ARBORETUM DISCOVERY TOUR | Grades 9th – 12th
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.
Join us for an Arboretum Adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do field trips cost?
Guided field trips are $9 per learner.
Self-guided field trips are $7 per learner.
When are field trips available?
Field Trips are available October-April, weekdays Wednesday through Friday. Some blackout dates apply.
How many students can participate in a field trip?
Guided field trips can accommodate up to 80 students. Self-guided field trips can accommodate up to 120 students. Kindly note that schools wishing to book larger field trips must divide the group and book separate days. Our minimum for a guided field trip is 15 students.
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 many teachers or chaperones need to join?
Boyce Thompson Arboretum requests that groups provide a 1:5 ratio for all guided and self-guided experiences. Teachers are always free; one chaperone per five students is free. Additional chaperones over the 1:5 ratio are welcome to attend but will be charged $10 per adult. For homeschool groups, all adults must pay the $10 chaperone fee.
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.
Can homeschool groups participate?
We welcome you to bring your group out to the Arboretum! Self-guided field trips are the most popular option for our homeschool groups as it allows flexibility of group size and variety of ages. Please note that for all guided field trip bookings, the minimum student registrants is enforced. Students must fall within the selected program grade levels to participate.
How soon in advance do I need to book?
We kindly ask that you request field trips a minimum of four weeks prior to your program date.
Do you offer discounts to Title One schools?
Discounted field trip rates are available upon request, while funding lasts. Funding is prioritized on a first come, first served basis. Title One schools receive a $3 per student discount.
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.
What is your cancellation policy?
You can cancel or reschedule your trip up to 14 days before your field trip
Sponsors
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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
Want to see the coatis? They`ve been spotted every day this week, so now`s a great time to stop by!
While a coati sighting is never guaranteed, the best place to look for them is in the Canyon Region in the early mornings. They love climbing trees in search of a good snack, or snuffling on the ground for dropped fruit. Keep an eye out as you explore our trails, and maybe you`ll see one exploring right along with you.
If you get any good photos, tag us in your post! We can never get enough cute coati pics.
#coati #coatimundi #WildlifeSighting #arizonawildlife #desertlife #btarboretum
Golf Cart Tours are back!
📅October 2026 – April 2027
🕤 Every Thursday | 9:30 – 10:30 am
Explore the Arboretum with our Docents on a hour long golf cart tour! Our knowledgeable Docents will give you insights into our collections and take you to the best photo ops the gardens have to offer.
Cart tours are limited to 5 guests per tour. Due to limited space pre-registration is highly recommended. Purchase your tickets at our Welcome Center Gift Shop or online at btarboretum.org/event
#golfcarttour #OutdoorAdventure #btarboretum #VisitSuperior #ThingsToDoAZ #naturelovers
Not all cardinals are red!
This is a juvenile Northern Cardinal, and you can see their adult plumage hasn`t quite come in yet. As they get older, their beaks will turn from dark gray to an orange-red. The female`s feathers stay brown, with hints of red in the wings, tails, and crests, but the males turn into the vibrant red we all know so well!
The cardinals love exploring the gardens. When you visit us next, keep an eye out for our feathery friends! And don`t forget to tag us in any photos you post.
#azbirding #birdlovers #northerncardinal #juvenilebirds #DesertWildlife #arizonabirds
Have you started your fall garden yet? While the weather is still hot, you can start by growing these seeds indoors:
🪴Napa Cabbage
🪴Texas Grano Onion
🪴Kale
🪴Broccoli
Once they`ve grown big enough, and the weather gets cooler, you can transport them to your outdoor garden.
In need of new plants? Stop by our plant sale happening October 17 - November 1st! Members get 20% off AND early access on October 16. Sign up to become a member today to save time in line! Link in bio.
#gardeninspiration #gardeningtips #fallplantsale #fallgarden #gardenlovers #arizonagarden