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
October 2025 – March 2026
Every Friday & Saturday | 11 am – 12 pm
Every Saturday | 1 pm – 2 pm
April 2026
Every Friday & Saturday | 11 am – 12 pm
Every Saturday | 9 am – 10 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, sign up at the Welcome Center. Reservations are NOT accepted. 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
Wallace Garden Tour
October 2025 – March 2026
Every Friday | 1 pm – 2 pm
April 2026
Every Friday | 9 am – 10 am
Explore the Wallace Desert Garden on this docent-led walking tour. You will learn about the legacy of Henry B. Wallace, unique geography, and collection plants that make this part of our garden so special. Of the 1,223 taxa (species, cultivars, hybrids, varieties) in the garden, 861 are new to Boyce Thompson Arboretum, and 62 species are rare or endangered.
Tours are subject to availability. Registration is first come, first serve. To register for a tour or walk, sign up at the Welcome Center. Reservations are NOT accepted. Please note: this tour lasts approximately one (1) hour, covers 1.25 miles, and follows paved, unpaved, and uneven pathways.
Tour size: 15 people
Cost: Free with admission
Bird Walk
December 2025 – April 2026: First Wednesday & Saturday of the month | 9 am – 10 am
June 2026 – September 2026: First Wednesday of the month | 6:15 am – 7:45 am
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 beginner-friendly guided walk to explore this unique landscape with a variety of bird species.
Tours are subject to availability. Registration is first come, first serve. To register for a tour or walk, sign up at the Welcome Center. Reservations are NOT accepted. No binoculars? No problem! Loaner binoculars are available at our admissions window.
Walk size: 15 people
Cost: Free with admission
Edible & Medicinal Plant Tour
November 2025 – April 2026
Third Wednesday & Saturday of the month | 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
- March 18th & 21st, 2026
- April 15th & 18th, 2026
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, sign up at the Welcome Center. Reservations are NOT accepted. 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
Butterfly Walk
October 2025 – May 2026
Select dates and times
- March 28th, 2026: 10:30 am-11:30 am
- April 11th, 2026: 10:00 am-11:00 am
- April 25th, 2026: 10:00 am-11:00 am
- May 9th, 2026: 9:00 am-10:00 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, sign up at the Welcome Center. Reservations are NOT accepted.
Walk size: 15 people
Cost: Free with admission
Sunrise Hike
Wednesdays & Saturdays in May | 6:30 am – 7:30 am
Start your summer with our Docents on a family friendly educational hike! On this sunrise hike, learn about our unique collection plants, Sonoran Desert ecology, and how our plants survive in extreme conditions. Be sure to wear closed-toe shoes, sun protective clothing, and bring plenty of water.
Tours are subject to availability. Registration is first come, first serve. To register for a tour or walk, sign up at the Welcome Center. Reservations are NOT accepted.
Tour size: 15 people
Cost: Free with admission
Summer Golf Cart Tour
1st, 3rd, & 5th Fridays & Saturdays, June-August | 7:30 am – 8:30 am
Explore the arboretum this summer with our Docents on a golf cart tour! We invite you to join us for an hour long cart ride to some of our most scenic spots of the arboretum. 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.
Tour size: 5 people
Cost: $20 per person, plus admission
Private Tours
Join us for a private tour with one of Boyce Thompson Arboretum’s experienced docents! Explore our diverse gardens—home to plants from deserts across the globe—on a one-hour guided tour.
Availability
October – April, from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (some date exclusions apply).
Please book at least four weeks in advance.
Tour Details
- Tour duration: Approximately one hour
- Minimum group size: 2 guests
- Maximum group size: 75 guests
- Bus parking available in main lot
- Group rates available for 10+ guests
Pricing
- Monday–Friday: $10 per person + admission
- Saturday & Sunday: $15 per person + admission
- Golf Cart Tour: $20 per person + admission (max 5 guests)
- Minimum fee: $100 + admission (covers first 10 guests on weekdays, first 6 on weekends)
- No deposit required
Available Tours
-
- Arboretum Discovery Tour
- Golf Cart Tour (max 5 guests)
Special Interest Groups
Have a theme or area of focus? Let us know on the request form and we’ll tailor the tour! Our docents love to engage with your interests.
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.
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Join one of our exclusive Golf Cart Tours and experience some of the most scenic areas of Boyce Thompson Arboretum without the extra miles. Guided by our knowledgeable Docents, you`ll enjoy fascinating stories, botanical insights, and access to some of the gardens` best photo opportunities.
Summer Golf Cart Tours
1st, 3rd & 5th Fridays and Saturdays
June–August | 7:30 AM–8:30 AM
$20 per person, plus admission
Limited to just 5 guests per tour
Advance registration is highly recommended. Reserve your seat online or at the Welcome Center Gift Shop.
#ExploreArizona #SuperiorAZ #BoyceThompsonArboretum #GolfCartTour
June at Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Beat the heat and start your day surrounded by the beauty of the Sonoran Desert.
Open Daily: 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Admission: $16
Explore scenic trails, vibrant desert blooms, towering cacti, and peaceful mornings before the midday sun arrives.
Plan your June visit and experience Arizona`s oldest and largest botanical garden.
#BoyceThompsonArboretum #ArizonaAdventures #SonoranDesert #SummerMornings #NatureArizona
Wild beauty takes daily care.
While the Arboretum may feel effortlessly natural, every thriving plant collection, shaded trail, and wildlife habitat depends on thoughtful stewardship and community support.
A gift to our Greatest Needs Fund helps sustain conservation, education, and care for this special place every day.
Help us continue protecting this thoughtfully tended wild landscape for generations to come.
See the link in the comments to donate today.
June–August Admission: $16
Enjoy summer at the Arboretum with flat-rate entry all season long. Come early for cool temps, shaded trails, and active wildlife.
Plan your visit — link in bio.
#BoyceThompsonArboretum #SummerAdmission #BTA #ArizonaOutdoors #NatureVisit #DesertMornings
The Arboretum’s trails are home to a remarkable diversity of snakes—key predators that help balance desert ecosystems. From agile climbers to well-camouflaged ground dwellers, each species has its own adaptations for hunting, hiding, and thriving in our landscapes. Spot them basking, cruising at dusk, or blending into leaf litter, and remember to observe from a safe distance.
Plan your visit — link in bio.
#BoyceThompsonArboretum #DesertSnakes #SonoranWildlife #ArizonaNature #Herpetology #WildlifeEducation #DesertEcosystems
Discover the quiet beauty of our Garden Highlight at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Moonflower datura opens elegant white trumpets in the cool hours, contrasting with the upright forms of columnar cacti and the textured desert palette. It’s a living lesson in arid‑land design—structure, shade, and seasonal bloom working together.
Plan your visit — link in bio.
#BoyceThompsonArboretum #GardenHighlight #DesertGardening #Datura #CactusAndSucculents #ArizonaPlants #AridDesign #SonoranDesertPlants
Keeping our collection healthy starts with smart prevention. We use horticultural sulfur on select cacti and succulents to manage powdery mildew and mites, gently acidify alkaline soils, and help speed callusing on cuts and offsets—reducing the risk of fungal infections. Applications are light, targeted, and timed for cool mornings; we never combine sulfur with horticultural oils.
Plan your visit to learn more about our plant care practices — link in bio.
#BoyceThompsonArboretum #CactusAndSucculents #HorticulturalSulfur #PlantCare #DesertGardening
Copper Corridor educators: elevate your science teaching with a field-based workshop at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. This June, explore standards‑aligned strategies that connect ecology and inquiry to your classroom through hands‑on activities and take‑home materials.
$100 participation stipend
Classroom‑ready lesson plans
Inquiry‑driven investigations
Guided outdoor exploration
Spots are limited—register now. Link in comments.
Questions: [email protected]
#BTA #BoyceThompsonArboretum #CopperCorridor #SuperiorAZ #TeacherPD