If you’re in the Phoenix area, be sure to visit the Desert Botanical Garden. This 140-acre garden is a cactus lover’s dream! It was founded in 1937 by the Arizona Cactus and Native Flora Society to showcase unique and beautiful plants that thrive in some of the hottest and driest parts of the world. If agave and cactus are not part of your normal scenery at home, you’ll be amazed by one of the largest collections of cactus in the world.
The gardens are easy to navigate using trails to visit each of the five areas. There are some very unique collections, including an Australian collection, a Baja California collection, and a South American collection.
Things to Do
- Take a docent-led tour
- Explore the five areas of the gardens on your own
- View the Cactus and Succulent Galleries
- Have lunch at Gertrude’s, the garden’s onsite restaurant
- Buy yourself something from the Garden Shop
Trails
Each of the loops are paved, with opportunities to walk on designated dirt paths to take a closer look at the flowers and plants.
- Sonoran Desert Nature Loop (1/4 mile trail)
- Plants and People of the Sonoran Desert Loop (1/3 mile trail)
- Center for Desert Living Trail (1/10 mile trail)
- Desert Wildflower Loop Trail (1/3 mile trail)
- Desert Discovery Loop Trail (1/3 mile trail)
Tours
Garden Tours (10:00am, 11:00am & 1:00pm)
Dates: Oct 1, 2019 – May 10, 2020
Want to learn how such abundant life survive and thrive in the harsh desert? Explore the Garden with a trained guide who will help you understand the extraordinary plants of the Sonoran Desert.
Birds in the Garden (Mondays @ 7:00am or 8:00am)
Dates: Mondays, May to September (7:00am) October to April (8:00am)
Join seasoned birders along the Garden trails— it’s best to bring binoculars if you have them.
Tours are included in the price of general admission.
Events
The Desert Botanical Garden has many fun events throughout the year. Here are a few upcoming highlights from their calendar:
Las Noches de las Luminarias (Dec. 13-15, 17-23, 26-31, 2019)
Celebrate the spirit of the season with Las Noches de las Luminarias. Stroll the Garden’s trails lined with 8,000 flickering luminaria bags, gaze at twinkling lights and admire the enchanting glow of Wild Rising creatures. Happen upon tunes from eclectic entertainment groups and cherish the time spent with friends and family during the holiday season.
Garden Happy Hour (Jan. 30, Feb. 27, March 19, April 30, May 7, 2020)
Celebrate the happiest of hours at the Garden with special offers for you, friends, and family to swing back, relax, and enjoy the beauty of the desert.
Corks & Cactus (Feb. 8-9, 2020)
Sample, sip and savor your way through the splendor of the Garden at Corks & Cactus, where boutique wines and desert beauty blend into a delightful event. Sample from 40 wines each day, enjoy music and purchase delicious fare. 21 and older.
Spring Plant Sale (March 21-22, 2020)
Don’t let 30,000 plants intimidate you! Our on-site horticulture experts will help you find the perfect cactus, agave or ornamental to plant in your own garden. Specimen-sized plants and delivery services available. Volunteers and staff are available to offer advice, answer questions and assist in selections.
Art
Wild Rising by Cracking Art is Desert Botanical Garden’s newest art exhibition straight from Milan. This installation includes more than 1,000 animal sculptures made from colorful and recyclable plastic. Wild Rising is included in the cost of general admission and membership.
Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85008
