Boyce Thompson Arboretum offers a wide range of guided tours and walks October through April, from plants and wildlife to history and ecology.
Our tours and walks include:
Bird Walk
November 2023 – April 2024
Second Saturday & Sunday of the month | 8:30 am – 10 am
As an Important Birding Area, Boyce Thompson Arboretum serves as a revered stage where avian life takes the spotlight. Whether you’re a curious novice or a seasoned birdwatcher, our guided walk offers a window into a world of winged wonders.
Walks are subject to availability. Registration is first come, first serve. To register for a tour or walk, please visit the Gift Shop. No binoculars? No problem! Loaner binoculars are available at our admissions booth.
Walk size: 15 people
Cost: Free with admission
Butterfly Walk
October 2023 & March – May 2024
Last Saturday of the month | 8:30 am – 10 am
Join us for an uplifting walk guided by a butterfly expert, and marvel at our resident butterflies’ intricate beauty and divine grace. Blessed with abundant vegetation and life-giving waterways, the Arboretum is a sacred haven for these winged wonders, especially in the transformative seasons of Spring, late Summer, and early Fall.
Walks are subject to availability. Registration is first come, first serve. To register for a tour or walk, please visit the Gift Shop.
Walk size: 15 people
Cost: Free with admission
Edible & Medicinal Plant Tour
November 2023 – April 2024
Second Saturday & Sunday of the month | 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Join us as we guide you through the awe-inspiring abundance of the Sonoran Desert. Far from barren, this vibrant landscape is home to an unparalleled variety of over 540 medicinal and edible plants. As we explore flowering shrubs and timeless trees, you’ll learn how plants like prickly-pear and jojoba have been life-giving staples for Sonoran Desert communities for more than 1,000 years.
Tours are subject to availability. Registration is first come, first serve. To register for a tour or walk, please visit the Gift Shop. 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
Arboretum Discovery Tour
March 2024 – April 2024
Every Saturday & Sunday | 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, please visit the Gift Shop. All tours meet next to the Admissions Booth. 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
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