Boyce Thompson Arboretum offers a wide range of guided tours and walks year-round, from plants and wildlife to history and ecology.
Our tours and walks include:
Arboretum Discovery Tour
November 2024- April 2025
Every Saturday & Sunday | 10 am – 11 am
Discover Arizona’s first and oldest botanical garden with this docent-led tour on our Main Trail. Explore our diverse gardens which are home to plants from many of the world’s deserts. You will learn what makes desert plants unique and the adaptations that allow them to grow in challenging environments. This introduction to Boyce Thompson Arboretum is enjoyable for first-time and return visitors alike.
Tours are subject to availability. Registration is first come, first serve. To register for a tour or walk, please sign up at admission window. Please note: this tour lasts approximately one (1) hour, covers 0.5 miles, and follows paved, unpaved, and uneven pathways.
Tour size: 15 people
Cost: Free with admission
Bird Walk
First Saturday & Sunday of the month November – April | 8:30 am – 10 am
● November 2nd & 3rd, 2024
● December 7th & 8th, 2024
● January 4th & 5th, 2025
● February 1st & 2nd, 2025
● March 1st & 2nd, 2025
● April 5th & 6th, 2025
Boyce Thompson Arboretum has been named an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society, serving as a habitat for numerous species of birds. Join our guided walk to explore this unique landscape, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced birdwatcher.
Walks are subject to availability. Registration is first come, first serve. To register for a tour or walk, please sign up at admission window. No binoculars? No problem! Loaner binoculars are available at our admissions window.
Walk size: 15 people
Cost: Free with admission
Butterfly Walk
● October 26th, 2024: 9:30 am-10:30 am
● March 22nd, 2025: 9:30 am-10:30 am
● April 26th, 2025: 9:30 am-10:30 am
● May 24th, 2025: 9 am- 10 am
Learn about commonly found butterfly species and their host plants with a butterfly expert from Central Arizona Butterfly Association.
Walks are subject to availability. Registration is first come, first serve. To register for a tour or walk, please sign up at admission window
Walk size: 15 people
Cost: Free with admission
Edible & Medicinal Plant Tour
Second Saturday & Sunday of the month November-April | 10:30 am – 11:30 am
● November 9th & 10th, 2024
● December 14th & 15th, 2024
● January 11th & 12th, 2024
● February 8th & 9th, 2025
● March 8th & 9th, 2025
● April 12th & 13th, 2025
Boyce Thompson Arboretum cultivates hundreds of edible and medicinal plants from all over the world. Join us to explore the usefulness of these plants, focusing on what you can find in our Sonoran Desert. This is an informational tour, guests will not harvest or sample plants.
Tours are subject to availability. Registration is first come, first serve. To register for a tour or walk, please sign up at admission window . Please note: this guided tour may include the Sonoran Desert Trail, which has steep sections that are not suitable for visitors who use wheelchairs, walkers, or strollers.
Tour size: 15 people
Cost: Free with admission
Geology Walk
Select dates | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
● November 24, 2024
● February 22, 2025
Uncover the geological mysteries of Boyce Thompson Arboretum with an experienced geologist. Answer questions like: “How was Picketpost Mountain formed?” within the stunning beauty of BTA.
Tours are subject to availability. Registration is first come, first serve. To register for a tour or walk, sign up at admission window .
Tour size: 15 people
Cost: Free with admission
PRIVATE TOURS
Experience a private walking tour with one of Boyce Thompson Arboretum’s experienced docents!
- Tours are available for adults 13 years and up from October- April from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm (holiday exclusion days apply)
- At least four weeks’ notice is required for private tours.
- Plan to spend approximately one hour on the tour.
- Minimum number of guests is 2 and the maximum is 75.
- Admission is not included with the private tour fee.
- For groups of 10 or more, group admission rates are available
- Bus parking is available in the main lot.
- Tours are $10 per person, plus the cost of admission
Private tours require a minimum of $100, regardless of how many people are booked.
Available Tours include:
Arboretum Discovery Tour
Wallace Desert Garden Tour
Edible and Medicinal Plants Tour
Interested in a custom tour?
Let us know and we will work with you! Price can vary based on availability.
GROUP ADMISSION
Group admission rates are available from October – April, with at least 1 week’s notice.
The group discount is $3 off the regular price of admission
A minimum of 10 paid guests is required to receive the discount.
Admission must be paid in one transaction at the Visitor’s Center.
Planning a Class or Program at the Arboretum?
Please reach out to our Events Department. Kindly note that class and program bookings that are not pre-arranged with the Events Department are not allowed.
#1Arb
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The perfect weather is calling—whether you’re here for the incredible variety of plants, curious wildlife, or simply a peaceful moment, the Arboretum has it all. Take a stroll and see what inspires you today!
#1arb #visitsuperior #thingstodoAZ #explorenature #explorepinalcounty #visitarizona #visitphoenix #visitmesa
Reconnect with the soothing sounds and sights of nature. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or a quiet retreat, the Arboretum is the perfect place to enjoy a moment of peace.
#visitphoenix #visitmesa #explorenature #explorepinalcounty #thingstodoAZ #1arb #visitarizona #visitsuperior
Did you know that milkweed is essential for the survival of monarch caterpillars? Monarchs rely on milkweed as the only food source for their caterpillars, making this plant a critical part of their life cycle.
Milkweed not only provides nourishment for these iconic pollinators but also offers protection. Monarch caterpillars ingest toxic compounds from milkweed, which make them less palatable to predators—a clever natural defense!
Sadly, habitat loss has reduced the availability of milkweed, threatening monarch populations. Planting native milkweed in gardens and green spaces helps create safe habitats for monarchs to lay their eggs and ensures caterpillars have the food they need to grow and eventually transform into butterflies.
Interested in supporting these beautiful pollinators? Consider planting milkweed in your yard and helping preserve their migration journey for future generations.
Experience the tranquility of the Arboretum, where every path offers a quiet moment to reconnect with yourself and the natural world.
#explorepinalcounty #visitsuperior #visitmesa #visitarizona #explorenature #1arb #thingstodoAZ #visitphoenix
Fall Color Update | Our fall colors are about to take center stage! According to the forecast, this weekend should bring a beautiful burst of color. Grab a friend and come experience autumn’s charm!
#explorenature #visitarizona #explorepinalcounty #visitsuperior #1arb #visitmesa #thingstodoAZ
Meet the Coatis, curious creatures that call the desert home!
Found in Arizona’s desert scrub, woodlands, and riparian areas, these playful animals are relatives of raccoons. They are recognized by their long tails and social nature. During the day, they forage for insects, fruits, and small critters, using their strong claws for climbing and digging.
Keep an eye out—you might just spot one on your next visit to the Arboretum!
#visitmesa #explorepinalcounty #visitarizona #1arb #thingstodoAZ #visitsuperior #visitphoenix #explorenature
Bird Week is still soaring until November 15th! With the perfect weather, it`s a great time to head outdoors and explore the Arboretum. Grab your bird checklist, learn about our featured birds, and enjoy a beautiful day connecting with nature. Don’t miss out on this special opportunity—see you on the trails!
#visitarizona #visitsuperior #visitphoenix #1arb #thingstodoAZ #explorenature #explorepinalcounty #visitmesa
🍂 Fall Color Update | We are starting to see some yellows and a few reds appear in the canyon.
Our best estimate, depending on the weather forecast, is peak fall color towards the end of November. We will keep you posted as things change. Stay tuned for more updates! #visitarizona #visitphoenix #visitmesa #explorepinalcounty #thingstodoaz #1arb