Wildflowers in the Tucson Desert
A walk through the desert in bloom provides a startling experience like no other. Carpets of color stand in spectacular contrast to the normal desert landscape. Like temperamental artists whose performances depend on just the right conditions, our spring wildflower display varies from year to year, depending on late-autumn rains. Residents eagerly await the arrival of March and April-the best months to see the greatest variety of types and colors of blooms, when the hillsides and roadsides of Southern Arizona begin to burst with brilliant gold, vermillion, pink, lavender, purple, blue, red and more. Look for African daisies, California and Mexican gold poppies, desert globe mallow, owl's clover, desert bluebells, paperflowers, desert marigold, penstemons, Indian blanket, and more. In town you can always visit Tohono Chul Park, Tucson Botanical Gardens and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum for wildflower shows that are always in full glory in the spring. Picacho Peak State Park - northwest of Tucson on Interstate 10 boasts the best, biggest and most-varied spring display of native wildflowers in Southern Arizona. Other prime viewing spots include Kitt Peak and Saguaro National Park East and West, Sabino Canyon, Bear Canyon, Catalina State Park and Kings Canyon.
Upcoming Events
El Tour 10K & 5K Run/Walk - Sep. 21 Diamond Venture's 11th annual El Tour 10K and 5K Run/Walk traditionally kicks off the El Tour event season. Proceeds from the event go to the Ben's Bells project, a community effort to inspire intentional acts of kindness., (520) 745-2033.
Cochise County Cycling Classic - Oct. 11 Diamond Ventures presents 20th anniversary competitive bicycling event, with 252-mile challenge and 157-, 92-, and 45-mile rides starting in Douglas., (520) 745-2033.
Carondelet "Get Moving Tucson" - Oct. 18 Thousands of runners and walkers will cruise through historical downtown Tucson in this annual, 10-mile run and 5K-walk/run event that includes live music, a climbing wall, jumping castles, and other post-race activities for the family., (520) 326-9383 (Southern AZ Roadrunners).
AIDSWalk 2008 - Oct. 19 The 20th annual AIDSWalk will take place at the University of Arizona campus on the mall. AIDSWalk Tucson benefits the programs and services of the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF)., 520-791-9266.
Desert Thunder Pro Rodeo - Oct. 11 - Oct. 12 Competitive professional rodeo, with roping contests, bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, barrel racing, and team roping, and pony rides for the kids., (520) 721-1621.
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See all our Major Events >> |
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View photos and videos on the AZ State Parks website.
Read the Wall Street Journal article about this year's wildflowers.
Wildflower updates on the Desert Museum website.
Browse businesses specializing in Plants & Animals
Wildflower Season is blooming in Southern Arizona. View photos and videos! |
