June through August: Open 6:00 a.m. to 12 Noon Wednesday through Monday, closed on Tuesdays.
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Our Mission

The mission of Boyce Thompson Arboretum is to inspire appreciation and stewardship of desert plants, wildlife, and ecosystems through education, research and conservation.”

Every visit supports research, environmental education, and directly benefits the mission and success of Boyce Thompson Arboretum.

Donate & Support

Adult

$16

Youth (Ages 13-17)

$16

Child (Ages 5-12)

$10

Members & Children under 5

$0

Walks & Tours

From daily general tours to specialty walks focusing on birds, ethnobotany or geology, you’ll find the perfect tour for you!
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Wallace Desert Garden

Now open, the new Wallace Desert Garden encompasses 13 acres, 1.5 miles of trails, and 5,000 new plantings in an incomparable setting.
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Classes & Programs

Enjoy classes ranging from gardening tips to gourd art and photography. Some classes and activities have fees.
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Sunrise Hike

June 7th, 6:30 am8:00 am

Get outside this summer with our staff on a family friendly educational hike! On this sunrise hike, learn about our unique collection plants, Sonoran Desert ecology, and meet our resident Sonoran Desert Tortoises. Be sure…

Critter Crawl – Night Tour

June 20th, 7:30 pm9:00 pm

Join us after dark on a night-time adventure with our Education Staff! Discover the amazing world of nocturnal life in the Sonoran Desert on this family friendly ‘crawl’. Learn about Sonoran Desert ecology while taking…

Sunrise Hike

July 5th, 6:30 am8:00 am

Get outside this summer with our staff on a family friendly educational hike! On this sunrise hike, learn about our unique collection plants, Sonoran Desert ecology, and meet our resident Sonoran Desert Tortoises. Be sure…

Critter Crawl – Night Tour

July 18th, 7:30 pm9:00 pm

Join us after dark on a night-time adventure with our Education Staff! Discover the amazing world of nocturnal life in the Sonoran Desert on this family friendly ‘crawl’. Learn about Sonoran Desert ecology while taking…

Sunrise Hike

August 2nd, 6:30 am8:00 am

Get outside this summer with our staff on a family friendly educational hike! On this sunrise hike, learn about our unique collection plants, Sonoran Desert ecology, and meet our resident Sonoran Desert Tortoises. Be sure…

Events

See what’s coming up

Each season brings exciting events and activities, from Family programs to specialty walks!

Check out our webinars, too!

Tag us on Instagram with
@btarboretum #1Arb

✨Summer Golf Cart Tours ✨

Explore the arboretum this summer with our staff 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 staff will give you insights into our collections and take you to the best photo ops the gardens have to offer.

Wednesdays-Saturdays in June, July, August between 7:00am-8:00am, 9:00am-10:00am, 11:00am-12:00pm

Cost: $20 per person, plus the cost of admission.

Cart tours are first come first served with a limit of 5 guests. Ask about availability at our Visitor’s Center Wednesday through Saturdays this summer!

Some exclusions apply
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Make the most of your mornings this summer! From June through August, Boyce Thompson Arboretum is open Wednesday through Monday, 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with last admission at 11:00 a.m. We are closed on Tuesdays.

Plus during these months enjoy special admission rates:
Ages 13 and up – $16
Children 5–12 – $10
Children under 5 – Free

Visit early, explore the trails, and soak in the beauty of the Arboretum in the cooler part of the day.
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Tiny cuttings, big impact.

Every plant you see here started from just a snip — carefully cleaned, dipped, and rooted with care. Propagation isn’t just practical. It’s powerful. It helps us grow more plants for pollinators, restoration, and education — all while conserving precious resources.

But we can’t do it alone. Your support helps us expand our propagation efforts and grow the future of this garden.
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Think you`re seeing bark? Look again. You might be spotting the Ornate Tree Lizard. But once you see it...you can`t unsee it. ...

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If you grew up in the Southwest, this flower might be part of your childhood. The Desert Willow is back in bloom in the garden and just as magical as you remember. ...

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We`ll be closed on Tuesday, May 20th, but we`ll be back and ready to welcome you on Wednesday, May 21st, from 6 AM to 5 PM. See you then! ...

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t’s the final day of the Go Public Gardens Days Photo Scavenger Hunt—and we’re going out with a buzz!
Today’s challenge: spot some busy bees buzzing around the spring blooms and snap a photo or quick video of them in action.
Pollinators play a vital role in our ecosystem—let’s celebrate them!
Tag your post with #GoPublicGardensDays #GoPublicGardens #1Arb to wrap up the hunt and share the buzz!
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Day 9 of the Go Public Gardens Days Photo Scavenger Hunt is here—and it’s time to get the inside scoop!
Ask a staff member at Boyce Thompson Arboretum what their favorite spring bloom is, then snap a pic of it for today’s challenge.
You’ll see the garden through their eyes—and maybe find a new favorite too.
Tag your photo with #GoPublicGardensDays #GoPublicGardens #1Arb to be featured!
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