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:
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
Bird Walk
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
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
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
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.
#1Arb
Tag us on Instagram with
@btarboretum #1Arb
Even at the height of summer, the desert blooms. It`s a powerful reminder that life doesn`t just survive in harsh environments, it thrives. And so can we. 🌵🌸
#aznature #pricklypear #desertlife #plantlovers #naturelovers #desertblooms #cactusbloom
Seeing wildlife at the Arboretum is never boar-ing. In fact - Javelinas aren`t boars at all! They`ve been evolving separately from true pigs for nearly 40 million years. 🐖
Keep a look out for these little guys when you`re out hiking in the desert. Odds are you`ll smell them before you see them! Their scent glands produce a strong, unpleasant odor that helps them mark territory and recognize members of their herd. Always make sure to keep a safe distance!
#javelina #aznature #desertlife #WildlifeFacts #arizonawildlife #collaredpeccaries #DesertWildlife
We love seeing our furry friends at Boyce Thompson Arboretum! Here are some quick tips to combat the heat during outdoor excursions with your pet:
🌄Start Early. Take advantage of our early summer hours and visit before it gets too hot! This summer we open at 6:00 am and offer a discounted admission price of $16.
💧Stay Hydrated. Make sure to bring plenty of water for yourself and your dog! We have drinking fountains throughout the gardens you can use to refill your bottles.
💚Take Frequent Breaks. Don`t push yourself too hard in the heat! Enjoy shaded benches throughout the garden where you can observe desert plants, birds, and a variety of other critters up close.
⚠Watch for Signs. If your pet is excessively panting, seems disorientated, or is moving slower than normal, get them water and shade as quickly as possible. Make sure you are paying attention to your own body as well! Headaches, dizziness, nausea, and confusion are all symptoms of heat exhaustion. Be extra aware when temperatures exceed 105° F.
If you have any additional tips for combatting the hot weather, please feel free to drop them in the comments below! We hope to see you and your furry companions soon.
#heatwave #ArizonaHeat #HeatTips #arizonatrails #ThingsToDoAZ #naturelovers #dogfriendly
Join BTA and Arizona Game and Fish for a special members-only evening of bat netting! Witness the beauty of these winged creatures up close and personal and learn about their important ecological role as pollinators and insect controllers.
Experienced biologists will provide a fun, informative presentation about the biology and behavior of bats, as well as threats they face in the wild.
📆Sat Aug 1 (SOLD OUT) & Sat Sep 12
🕦7:00 - 10:00 pm
👥Ages 10+
🐾No pets allowed
🎟Admission: $40
Space is limited! Advance registration is required.
#batnetting #nocturalanimals #aznature #desertlife #naturelovers #familyactivities #DesertWildlife #BatLovers
Rich with authentic Arizona character and landscapes, Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden is the perfect location to host your wedding ceremony! Learn more at btarboretum.org/weddings.
Thank you to @laurenschneiderphoto, @allie_in_wonder_land, @rayfarmer, @mikeolbinskiweddings, and @alyssacampbellphotography for sharing your photos with us!
#arizonaelopement #smallweddings #outdoorwedding #arizonaweddings #natureelopement
Seeing a monocarpic succulent bloom is a special event! These plants only bloom once, right before they die. Next time you visit the Arboretum, take a moment to appreciate these beautiful, fleeting blooms before they`re gone.
#deathbloom #monocarpicplant #aznature #plantlovers #plantfacts #natureeducation
Happy World Chocolate Day! 🍫
Did you know one of nature`s chocolate substitutes grows right here at Boyce Thompson Arboretum?
The carob tree is native to the Mediterranean region and grows best in hot, arid climates. Once the carob pods ripen, they can be boiled, seeded, dried, and ground into a powder for baking.
Carob is known for its rich flavor, which is often compared to chocolate. Unlike cocoa powder, carob is naturally sweet and caffeine-free.
So, when you celebrate World Chocolate Day, make sure you take some time to appreciate the carob tree! You can spot our trees near the Visitors Center Patio, Mediterranean Garden, and Taylor Family Desert Legume Garden.
#WorldChocolateDay #carobtree #carobchocolate #carobpod #chocolatesubstitute #legumes #aznature #plantlovers #plantfacts
This summer, a family of Cooper`s Hawks have made the Arboretum their home!
We first spotted the parents in Conifer Corner, dive-bombing ravens when they got too close to their nest. Soon afterwards, the little fledglings emerged! They have been frequently spotted near Drover`s Wool Shed. Listen closely, and you may hear them calling to each other from the treetops as they explore their world and learn to hunt.
Watching this family grow is a reminder of how life can be found even in the hottest and driest of places. 💚 Plan your visit today for a chance to see this family before they spread their wings and move on. 🪶
#coopershawk #arizonabirdsofprey #birding #azbirding #birdinghotspot #desertlife #juvenilehawk