Desert Botanical Garden
A desert botanical garden at the foot of the red rocks of Papago Park, with tens of thousands of cacti and succulents. It is the first stop for understanding the Sonoran Desert.
The garden covers about 56 hectares and holds more than 50,000 desert plants. Five themed trails connect a forest of saguaro cacti, a wildflower path and displays of the lives of desert Indigenous peoples. Red sandstone hills make a photogenic backdrop. Spring is the best time for wildflowers and cactus blooms, and on winter nights the garden hosts a light festival. Admission is about $30–40, and timed-entry tickets are recommended. In summer, it opens at 7 a.m. At midday, when it's scorching, be sure to bring water and sun protection. It is about 15 minutes' drive from downtown and can be combined with Phoenix Zoo and Hole in the Rock.
Opening hours
08:00–20:00 (from 07:00 in summer; seasonal adjustments)
Nearby sights
- Papago Park & Hole-in-the-Rock
- Phoenix Zoo
- Tempe Town Lake
- Old Town Scottsdale
- S'edav Va'aki Museum (Pueblo Grande)
- Camelback Mountain
- OdySea Aquarium
- Piestewa Peak