Our Living Desert
Visitors expecting to see desolate wastelands full of sand dunes are often surprised to find our desert lush and teeming with life. Everywhere you look you'll see an amazing variety of plants and animals specially adapted to our very unique habitat. And that's just on the desert floor. A short drive up nearby Mt. Lemmon takes you through seven different eco-systems from a desert environment to Ponderosa Pine forests typical of Canada. In the spring, the desert becomes a spectacular carpet of color from flourishing wildflowers and blooming cactus.
Browse our Plants & Animals Day Trips
Learn About Our Spectacular Wildflower Season
Don't Miss
Sabino Canyon Recreational Area
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Featured Wildlife Partners
| Sabino Canyon Tours, Inc. | |
Experience the beauty of one of the most unique Southwestern desert canyons on a Sabino Canyon … | |
| Tohono Chul Park | |
| A scenic 49-acre desert preserve and center of nature, arts and culture. Enjoy three art galleries, … | |
| Tucson Botanical Gardens | |
| An urban oasis of five-plus acres with 16 specialty gardens that surround visitors with beauty … | |
| Tohono Chul Park | |
| Concerts in the park: seasonal; call first! |
Upcoming Events
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Butterfly Magic at the Gardens - Mar. 5 - Apr. 30 Tucson Botanical Gardens presents a live, tropical butterfly exhibit. View colorful butterflies fluttering in a special greenhouse and help support global efforts for sustainable conservation., (520) 326-9686.
Birds of Tohono Chul Park Walking Tour - Mar. 13 - Dec. 25 Tohono Chul Park hosts docent-led walking tours of its grounds at 8:30 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday, Saturday. Participants learn to identify bird residents and those just passing through, plus information on habits and habitat. Details are at www.tohonochulpark.org., 520-742-6455.
Old Tucson Studios Wild West Days - Mar. 25 - Mar. 28 Travel back to the 1880s at Old Tucson Studios for events and musical performances that recreate frontier life. A portion of proceeds will help repair Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum buildings., 520-883-0100.
Clean Air Days & Bike Fest - Apr. 1 - Apr. 30 Rethink your drive! Events and activities at various locations promote alternative transportation modes and provide information about bicycling, walking, carpooling and bus riding., 520-740-3947.
ASUA Spring Fling - Apr. 8 - Apr. 11 The nation's largest student-run carnival features fun rides, midway games, food, and amateur and professional entertainment, at Rillito (Downs) Race Trak Park., (520) 621-5610.
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Browse Plants & Animals Businessess:
Useful Plants & Animals Links
The Nature Conservancy
Wildflowers of Tucson
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Native animals around Tucson
Arizona Watchable Wildlife Tourism Association
Tucson Botanical Gardens
