Our Living Desert

Butterfly on Flower 

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.

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Learn About Our Spectacular Wildflower Season

Don't Miss
Sabino Canyon Recreational Area
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum



Featured Wildlife Partners

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. Icon depicts hotels with which you can book electronically through our website via Travelocity.
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Sabino Canyon Tours, Inc.
Experience the beauty of one of the most unique Southwestern desert canyons on a Sabino Canyon …

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
A world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one place! Exhibits re-create …

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.
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 …






Upcoming Events

Butterfly Magic at the Gardens - Feb. 1 - 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.

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4th Annual Fiesta de Saguaro - Mar. 1  Celebration of Southern Arizona’s Hispanic heritage and culture, with folklorico dancers, a mariachi band, children’s activities with traditional Mexican crafts and piñata breaking, exhibits and craft demonstrations, and food vendors at Saguaro National Park East., 520-733-5153.

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Community Food Bank Hunger Walk - Mar. 13  An opportunity to get some fresh air and exercise and also support the Community Food Bank. The Long Walk is 3-1/2miles and The Short Walk is one mile long. Both take place at scenic Sam Lena Park., 520-622-0525 (Community Food Bank).

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Music in the Canyon - Mar. 13  Listen to a range of local musicians (blues, jazz, folk, choral, mariachi, and more), sample tasty food and drinks, and let the kids enjoy children's area in the beautiful setting of Sabino Canyon., 520-749-1900.

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Ocotillo in the sun 
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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