boyce thompson arboretum

Boyce Thompson Arboretum is a magical place. Like the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix (also extraordinary), the Arboretum has beautiful displays of desert plants. But the (sometimes flowing) river and the huge rock structures give it a different, more rugged, feeling. Their annual spring plant sale is wonderful. In Spring, it is a beautiful drive from Phoenix to the Arboretum, with Globe Mallow and other wildflowers all along the side of the road. But watch out for the traffic from the Renaissance fair if you are going in February or March.

You can't get more leisurely and up close. Don't forget to bring your dog if you choose. My only advice is know that the HIGH TRAIL is not just inappropriate for accommodating persons with physical disabilities.....it is narrow...steep.....rocky (almost as is rock climbing)...and you need very good core strength and balance. Also, I didn't see or read anything that gives you and idea of how long the HIGH TRAIL goes for....there is no getting off....you either finish or go back. But quite an accomplishment if you complete it!! p,s, If you are hungry and you will need sustenance for your visit...go a few miles into Superior and have a great, inexpensive meal at Los Hermanos. ...a great local family place on the right side of the road.

Great day in the outdoors. Beautiful, beautiful You can tak e leisurely walk or take the High Trail for a challenge if you have no fear of heights and are steady on your feet. Fabulous time.

Liked it all - nothing to dislike - a fabulous garden in the midst of visually exciting scenery. Huge range of interesting plants adapted to desert conditions is the main draw but the landscaping and overall setting compliments it; also a birding hot spot due to combination of water and vegetation. Good for family outings or solo and even better now that we have found a great (oriental) restaurant, the Jade Grill, just up the road. My wife and I have become members of the Arboretum although we are not Arizona residents and visit it several times a year - definitely recommend the drive from Phoenix or Tucson; if the latter, consider routing through Mamouth and Haden for an additional scenic ride through the 'copper belt' -perhaps even a stop at the Ray Mine overlook.

On our way to Globe, we decided to stop at the arboretum. We got there just in time to join a wildflower viewing tour, so we joined in. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and informative. We stayed with the tour for a little over an hour before deciding we would break off and go ahead alone. We spent another 45 minutes or so wandering around. You could easily spend a whole afternoon (or more) here exploring. Beautiful scenery, amazing cactus and native plants. Many non-native desert plants as well. If this was closer to home, we'd be here in all seasons to explore and enjoy.

We have been here a few times and we never get tired of this place. Driving by on the highway you would never expect a place like this being here. There are so many walking paths through different plants from several parts of the world. Some of the paths are handicap accessible. The one we enjoy the most takes you up the side of the mountain and you can do a complete loop past the lake back to the entrance. Remember to take your camera. There are places where you can have a nice picnic and dogs are permitted on leash. During the year they have lots of different tours and some workshops. This is one place where we will return many times in the future and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a nice walk or a peaceful place just to sit and relax.

If you enjoy nature and walking trails this is a good place to go. They have some shady areas and an area to take a picnic lunch. Beautiful plants, trees, scenery abound.

We took a general tour with volunteer Rich. It end up being 2.5 hours but flew by. Rich has a wealth of info to share. Dessert flowers were in bloom, got many pics of humming birds and learned a lot about the geology of the area and about the plant life. So much to see. Can't wait to go again when I am in the area. Easy drive from Phoenix and we drove into Superior for a great lunch at Porters Cafe.

Very well designed educational arboretum. I could spend some of every day here immersed in the numerous comfortable nooks of plants, birds and wildlife. It never ceases to amaze me how many varieties of desert plants and environments are displayed here. The design of the grounds offers many places to relax and view the wildlife (and people) visiting. The gift shop and plant sales are fun and enticing. Take in one of their many educational free tours to learn about the plants, history and worldwide use.

While visiting my sister and her husband, recently, in El Mirage, they suggested a trip to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Always interested in learning more about the dessert terrain, I agreed to go. I was not sorry that I did. Lots of interest to see there-numerous walks one can take and several highlights of clusters of plant types eg cacti, legumes, humming bird attracting plants, succulents.There is no café, but I saw folks eating a pizza which they had brought in and in fact there are picnic benches available for those who bring their lunch.There is a lovely gift shop with some quality items as we well as a large area where plants, bushes, etc are sold at a price more reasonable than plant nurseries. I purchased two hummingbird attracting plants for my sister's garden. Be sure to bring some warm clothing, my sister wore sandals and a light jacket and was feeling cold the entire time. People were entering the gift shop saying;"Will someone please turn up the heat, outside!"The bathroom facilities were quite adequate and clean. There is no senior discount for this attraction. Staff is very friendly and helpful.It is of note, that after our day in Superior, on arriving home, my bro-in-law realized that he did not have his cell phone. He remembered he had put it in his pocket after photographing the numerous hummingbirds, I suggested that he call the Arboretum in the morning to see if the phone had been turned in, and request to have it mailed out. All ended well, the phone had been found and, for a small postage fee, the staff agreed to mail it out. It arrived two days later saving a 4 hour roundtrip back to the Arboretum.

You can take a pleasing walk along an undulating but easy path or increase the rigour of your hike and do the high trail, which is moderately challenging. Regardless, you see amazing rocks and cliffs and learn to identify more plants than you'll be able to remember. In February the entrance fee was a modest $10 per adult. We spent a couple of hours hiking and gawking and had a very nice morning. It was an easy drive south from the Phoenix area and quite exciting to drive into the mountainous landscape. They have many interesting plants for sale if you are a local (or don't have to cross an international border.)

The Arboretum has a beauty and peace that is enchanting. Everywhere you turn there is something interesting and beautiful to see. It is wonderfully designed so that one may wonder through a variety of experiences -- different types of plantings from a variety of desert areas, there is both sun and shade, and it does not feel contrived but rather naturalistic, with flat walking paths and some you can choose it you want a bit more of a challenge. It is one of two favorite places to walk in the area around Phoenix.

This arboretum thrives in arid country because of a water supply and is very worthwhile for any Phoenix area visitor who likes nature. It's about 50 miles east of the city but is easily reached. It has a Eucalyptus forest, a cactus garden, a South American exhibit, and, of course, a Sonoran natural area, plus very enjoyable nature trails. We totally enjoyed it because of its 'natural' ambience, unlike some of the more crowded, paved botanical areas.

We really enjoyed our visit to the BTA it was during the fall and the fall migration of birds were coming thru, I can't wait to go again in the spring for the spring migration of Hummingbirds! Take water and extra film there are a lot of different trails to explore, so if walking is a problem use a wheel chair or walking stick. This is a beautiful collection of all the flowers shrubs and trees native to Ariz. Oh and there are plenty of places to have a picnic lunch! Enjoy

Loved this place. Took a guided tour and it was fun and educational. Learned about the area, the arboretum's history and the plants. Lots of birds so bring binoculars. Also a nice place for a picnic lunch. Bring a water bottle, there are a few drinking fountains to refill it as needed. Many trails to choose from, level and easy to a little more rugged. Also a nice selection of plants to purchase if you need a souvenir of your day. A nice and easy day trip from Phoenix.