Spring Desert Wildflower Hikes
Take advantage of the terrific weather for these excursions into the Sonoran Desert to view the spring wildflower display. These hikes offer the perfect mixture of adventure and environmental education with two levels of exercise. Enjoy the beauty of the native desert, while being led by a naturalist, and learn about the tremendous biological diversity of the Sonoran Desert. The Pass Mountain Trail is considered a moderate hike, and the Wind Cave Trail is for more advanced hikers. Both are about three to four miles long. We will meet at the Usery Mountain Regional Park Environmental Center. Detailed location information will be sent ahead of time. Please note that there is a nominal fee for vehicle entry to the park. Price includes guide, snacks, water and hand-out. Limit 12.

Pass Mountain Wildflower Hike - Moderate
Friday / March 26 / 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Member: $25 / General Public: $30

Click here to register on-line for March 26 hike.

Wind Cave Wildflower Hike - Advanced
Friday / April 2 / 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Member: $25 / General Public: $30

Click here to register on-line for April 2 hike.

Wallace Desert Gardens
Do not miss an exclusive opportunity to view and enjoy a private collection of desert plants from around the world without leaving the Valley of the Sun. Travel to Wallace Desert Gardens in north Scottsdale for a gentle walking tour led by Wallace Desert Gardens and Desert Botanical Garden staff. This tour on private trails not open to the general public features interpretation of the plants, their ecological importance, and the relationships they share with their environment. Highlights include a covered 6,000 square foot cactus pavilion uniquely designed for climate control, a boojum tree forest, and world-renowned collection of Ephedra, in addition to beautifully manicured garden spaces. Price includes snacks, water and contribution to Wallace Desert Gardens. Limit 20.

Tuesday / March 9 / 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
(Roundtrip from the Garden)
Member: $30 ($40 with Garden transportation)
General Public: $36 ($46 with Garden transportation)

March 9 hike is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list.

Spring Landscape Design Tour
This is an exclusive opportunity to tour landscape designs located in the Metro Phoenix area featuring award-winning designs by local landscape architects. The Garden, in collaboration with the Arizona Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, is offering this specially arranged tour of contemporary landscape designs. Projects range from private residential landscapes to public urban places. The tour group will be met by project landscape architects at each stop and provided a personal tour including discussion of design concepts, installation details and management recommendations. Each design features contemporary solutions appropriate for the Sonoran Desert environment. Price includes roundtrip transportation, picnic lunch, snacks and handouts. Limit 18.

Saturday / April 3 / 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
(Transportation provided from the Garden)
Member $60 / General Public $72

Click here to register on-line for April 3 hike.

The Tohono O’odham: A Cultural and Culinary Experience
Join Tohono O’odham Community Action (TOCA) to experience the beauty and culture of the Tohono O'odham, the native people of the desert. The visit begins with a trip to the Tohono O'odhamNation Cultural Center & Museum where a guided tour of the Museum’s galleries will introduce you to the art, language and history of this fascinating ancient culture. Second stop is the Desert Rain Café, for a lunch of traditional, healthy and delicious O’odham foods like cholla cactus buds, white tepary beans, mesquite meal and prickly pear in both traditional and contemporary dishes. During lunch, a TOCA staff member will describe their work to revitalize culture and health, and share details about traditional foods. After lunch, there will be a hands-on basketry demonstration by a tribal member who will talk about basketry materials, traditional designs and inspirations. A visit to TOCA’s Desert Rain Gallery will end the day. Price includes guided museum tour, lunch, basket weaving demonstration and visit to the gallery. Group will meet at the Tohono O'odham Nation Cultural Center & Museum in Topawa about nine miles south of Sells in Pima County. Detailed information, driving directions and itinerary will be sent ahead of time. Limit 20.

Friday / April 9 / 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Member: $70 / General Public: $84

Click here to register on-line for April 9 hike.

Aravaipa Canyon Natural History Adventure
Join author and naturalist Pinau Merlin and birding guide Larry Liese for an exciting three day birding and natural history adventure in spectacular Aravaipa Canyon. Eight hundred foot canyon walls tower over the creek as it winds its way through a forest of cottonwood, sycamore and willow trees. We will meet and stay at the Aravaipa Canyon Ranch Lodge right on the creek, venturing out each day for new explorations including a hike into restricted portions of Aravaipa Canyon. This lush riparian area supports many birds and other kinds of wildlife including bighorn sheep, black hawks, zone-tailed hawks, golden eagles, yellow-breasted chats, canyon wrens, orioles and more. Hone your birding, tracking and outdoor awareness skills, and learn to identify birds and other wildlife by their calls, signs and sounds. In the evening during our night walks, we will look for bats, owls, ringtail cats and other night creatures, set up a blacklight to see fascinating insects, and finish the day by star gazing. Sleeping accommodations range from single beds to multiple beds per room—first-come, first-served. Price includes lodging (two nights at Aravaipa Canyon Ranch), meals (Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast/lunch/dinner, Sunday breakfast/lunch), snacks, guides, Aravaipa Canyon hiking permits, and hand-outs. Limit 12.

Friday - Sunday / April 16 - 18 / arrive Friday 2 p.m. / depart Sunday 4 p.m.
Member: $375 / General Public: $450

April 16-18 hike is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list.

Madera Canyon Bird Outing
Join us on this exclusive day trip led by two Tucson naturalists to Madera Canyon, one of the most popular birding destinations in Arizona. Madera Canyon is designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by The National Audubon Society. Situated in the Santa Rita Mountains, Madera is renowned for its biological diversity and abundant bird life. We will hike in the oak woodland looking for the stunning elegant trogon, painted redstart, acorn woodpeckers, Mexican jays, the rare flame-colored tanager and many different hummingbird species. We are also likely to see white-tailed deer and wild turkeys. Expert birding guide Larry Liese will share his expertise and enthusiasm while teaching about birding by sight and sound, and Pinau Merlin will discuss the natural history of birds as well as plants, animals and ecology of this beautiful canyon. Price includes transportation from Tohono Chul Park, guides, snacks, water, picnic lunch and hand-outs. Limit 12.

Wednesday / May 19 / 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
(Roundtrip from Tohono Chul Park)
Member: $138 / General Public: $166

Click here to register on-line for May 19 hike.