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.

Butterfly on Flower 

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

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Icon depicts businesses that are green. Icon depicts businesses participating in our money-saving Tucson Attractions Passport - enjoy 2-for-1 offers plus other great discounts. El icono describe empresas que participan con el Centro de Convenciones y Visitantes de Tucson en los esfuerzos de mercadotecnia en Mexico. Estas empresas han sido capacitadas para mejor servir a nuestro visitante Mexicano, y procuran mantener personal que hable Espa�ol. Icon depicts businesses that participate in the MTCVB's marketing efforts in Mexico. They have gone through special training preparing them to best service our visitors from Mexico and attempt to have a Spanish-speaking person on staff. Icon depicts golf courses with which you can book tee times electronically through our website. Good for tee times one week out. For longer range bookings, call the golf course directly.
Tucson Botanical Gardens
An urban oasis of five-plus acres with 16 specialty gardens that surround visitors with beauty …

 Icon depicts businesses that are green. Icon depicts businesses participating in our money-saving Tucson Attractions Passport - enjoy 2-for-1 offers plus other great discounts.
Tohono Chul Park
Wonderful themed gardens, nature trails, eclectic shops, art galleries, classes, creatures and …

 Icon depicts businesses participating in our money-saving Tucson Attractions Passport - enjoy 2-for-1 offers plus other great discounts.
Tohono Chul Park
Concerts in the park: seasonal; call first!

 Icon depicts businesses that are green. Icon depicts businesses participating in our money-saving Tucson Attractions Passport - enjoy 2-for-1 offers plus other great discounts.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
A world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one place! Exhibits re-create …

 Icon depicts businesses that are green. Icon depicts businesses participating in our money-saving Tucson Attractions Passport - enjoy 2-for-1 offers plus other great discounts. El icono describe empresas que participan con el Centro de Convenciones y Visitantes de Tucson en los esfuerzos de mercadotecnia en Mexico. Estas empresas han sido capacitadas para mejor servir a nuestro visitante Mexicano, y procuran mantener personal que hable Espa�ol. Icon depicts businesses that participate in the MTCVB's marketing efforts in Mexico. They have gone through special training preparing them to best service our visitors from Mexico and attempt to have a Spanish-speaking person on staff.



Upcoming Events

Birds of Tohono Chul Park Walking Tour - May. 26  Tohono Chul Park hosts docent-led walking tours of its grounds at 8:30 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Details at www.tohonochulpark.org., 520-742-6455.

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National Trails Day - Jun. 2  Celebrate National Trails Day with a visit to a state or national park, national forest, or nature center in Tucson or Southern Arizona, and experience our great outdoors., http://www.sabinocanyon.com/.

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Summer Saturday Evenings at Desert Museum - Jun. 2 - Aug. 25  Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum stays open after sundown on Saturdays all summer long, with exhibits featuring the Sonoran Desert's nocturnal plants and wildlife., 520-883-2702.

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