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Home > Visitor > Outdoor Adventure
& Nature

Our Living Desert

Tucson plant photo 

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 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 Español.

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 …

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 Español.

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, …





Upcoming Events

El Tour Downtown Fiesta - Nov. 22  Kids activities, live bands, a beer garden, the Grand Cycling Awards Ceremony and an exciting outdoor finale, at the El Tour finish line, at Congress Street and Granada Avenue, near Tucson Convention Center., (520) 547-3338.

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UMC 26th El Tour de Tucson presented by Diamond Ventures - Nov. 22  Thousands of cyclists from around the world ride in annual perimeter tour, with 109- 80-, 66-, 35-, 4-, and 1/4-mile courses, one of the premier organized rides in the United States, open to pros, fitness buffs, fun-lovers, and kids. Tucson Convention Center Plaza., (520) 745-2033.

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Reindog Day - Dec. 6  Tucson Botanical Gardens hosts a holiday party for you and your canine best friends. Dress up your dog in holiday costume or simply enjoy a day at the Gardens together. Santa will be available at noon for photos (bring your own camera)., 520.326.9686.

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Tucson Marathon and Expo - Dec. 7  This primarily downhill event includes marathon, half-marathon, and relay races. Runners drop almost 1,800 feet in elevation as they run downhill along the beautiful Santa Catalina mountain range., 520-320-0667 (Marathon Hotline).

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Butterfly Magic at the Gardens - Nov. 1 - Mar. 31  Tucson Botanical Gardens presents Arizona's only 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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Deer in the desert - Tucson, Arizona 

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Useful Plants & Animals Links

The Nature Conservancy
Wildflowers of Tucson
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Native animals around Tucson