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.
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.…
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.…
The Boyce Thompson Arboretum Photography Club is a welcoming community of photographers of all skill levels who are inspired by the natural beauty of Arizona’s high desert. The club meets every third Saturday to explore…
Join us after dark on a night-time adventure with our Education Staff and Docents! Discover the amazing world of nocturnal life in the Sonoran Desert on this family friendly ‘crawl’. Guests will learn about Sonoran Desert ecology while taking a closer look at the local critters. Plus, you will get the knowledge you…
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.…
Tickets are now on sale for Boyce Thompson Arboretum’s fourth annual Green Gala!
Join us for an unforgettable evening under the stars while supporting our mission to inspire appreciation and stewardship of desert plants, wildlife, and ecosystems through education, research, and conservation.
Surrounded by the beauty of the Sonoran Desert, you will enjoy fine dining, meaningful connections, and a special program put together just for you.
🗓️Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026 🕛Time: 4:00-8:00pm 📍Location: Hill House Property 38815 E Arboretum Way Superior, AZ 85713
Visit the link in our bio to get tickets today!...
Next time you visit us, you may notice a little extra dust in the Children`s Garden! It will be closed for a few months while under renovation, with an expected reopening in December 2026.
Some of the exciting changes include:
🌿Updating the existing pavilion into a more open outdoor classroom featuring flexible seating for children, caregivers, and school groups during programs and events.
🌿Integrated nature play elements to encourage curiosity, creativity, and unstructured explorations for kids.
🌿Curated spaces for new programming debuting with the re-opening of the garden.
Once complete, the Children`s Garden will offer an engaging destination for kids to discover, explore, and learn.
This project is made possible through the generous support of @resolutioncopper We look forward to sharing this updated space with you soon!
Summer blooms add a delightful splash of color to the desert landscape. Seeing something so light and dainty grow on a spiky cactus is a beautiful juxtoposition, reminding us that life can be found in the most unexpected places.
Did you know the name "Boojum" comes from a Lewis Carroll poem?
In "The Hunting of the Snark," Lewis Carroll describes a boojum as a dangerous, mystical creature that causes victims to disappear. Because Fouquieria columnaris looks so strange and unusual, it became known as a Boojum Tree!
Fortunately the Boojum Tree will not cause you to disappear, so you can enjoy these Wondlerland-esque trees up close!
Did you know the Desert Spiny Lizard can change color? This adaptation is called metachromatism.
☀️In the heat, their skin lightens, reflecting sunlight to stay cool. ❄️In cool temperatures, they turn darker, helping them absorb heat from the sun.
The Desert Spiny Lizard can be found throughout most of Arizona, including right here at Boyce Thompson Arboretum! Next time you visit, keep an eye out for these little guys.
Have you ever seen a leaf with a strange, pigment-free pattern? This is called variegation! It can be caused by a genetic difference in the plant, or a change in cells as it grows. You can see this beautiful phenomenon up close on one of our hibiscus plants in the Demonstration Garden!
Love the Arboretum but live too far away? Book a stay at Hill House!
Less than a mile from Boyce Thompson Arboretum, this ranch-style Airbnb has a 360-degree view of Tonto National Forest. Spend your days touring the Arboretum and your evenings enjoying the sunsets, plants, and wildlife right outside the front door. It`s a perfect getaway for couples, friends, and families alike.
Visit the link in our bio to schedule your stay today!
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