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.

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

Loading Map
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.
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

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.

Add To myTucson Vacation Planner

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.

Add To myTucson Vacation Planner

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.

Add To myTucson Vacation Planner

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.

Add To myTucson Vacation Planner

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.

Add To myTucson Vacation Planner

See all our Major Events >> 

         

Ocotillo in the sun 
Check-in Date:
Check-out Date:
Rooms:
Adults:
Children:



Browse Plants & Animals Businessess:

Subcategory:
Keyword:



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