Daily tours & Family activities
Docent Tours
*All docent tours are subject to volunteer availability
Plant Adaptations Tour
Daily, Oct. 15 – Nov. 15 | 9, 10, 11 a.m.; Nov. 15 – Dec. 31 | 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m.
Discover how plants have adapted to the desert environment with a volunteer docent-led tour. See the Garden’s living collection with plants from around the world and the Sonoran Desert and their fascinating survival strategies in this arid climate. Walk away with a new appreciation for the beauty of the desert and the plants and animals that call it home.
Tour size: 10 people
Meet at Cohn Gathering Area.
Bird Tours
Mondays, Sept. 7 – May 10 | Sept. 7 a.m.; Oct. – Dec. 8 a.m.
Discover the diverse birds that call the Garden their year-round home, along with the many species that visit during their seasonal migrations. Led by a docent, this guided tour offers a closer look at the Garden’s feathered residents and the important role its habitats play in supporting birds throughout the year. Identify different species, hear fascinating facts about their behaviors and habitats and gain a deeper appreciation for the Garden as a haven for birds.
Plants and People of the Sonoran Desert Tour
Monday – Friday, Oct. 15 – Dec. 31, 9:30 a.m.
Join a docent-led tour of the Plants and People of the Sonoran Desert trail. Discover how native plants have shaped the lives of the Akimel O’odham, Tohono O’odham and San Carlos Western Apache people for generations across five unique desert habitats.
Tour size: 10 people
Meet at Cohn Gathering Area.
Audio Tours
Birding Audio Tour
Now – Dec. 31
Daily | Self-guided tour
happiness Tour
Now – Dec. 31
Daily | Self-guided tour
Welcome to Desert Botanical Garden! This Happiness Tour guides you to six tranquil locations in the Garden where you can experience the natural beauty and peace of the Sonoran Desert.
SeLf-Guided Tours
A Walking Adventure at Desert Botanical Garden
Now – Dec. 31
Accessible during Garden hours
Get Your Steps! If you’re chasing your daily step goal and craving a dose of desert beauty, the Garden is your perfect playground. With five distinct trails winding through 55 acres of Sonoran splendor, it’s surprisingly easy to rack up 10,000 steps.
group tours
15 – 30 Guests
For groups with 15-30 guests, please feel free to visit our ticketing page here to purchase tickets directly. The group discount will be automatically applied to your order.
31+ Guests
For groups with 31+ guests, please complete the Ticket Request Form below for reservation and purchasing assistance.
We are happy to offer a group ticketing discount of $2.00 off per guest to groups of 15+ guests. The $2.00 off per guest is taken off of the general admission rate for the day, which can be found by visiting the following page here.
Group discounts are available during general admission hours. Click here to view our current operating hours.
Group discounts are offered to select Garden Experiences. If interested in a group visit to any of our experiences, please contact [email protected] for more information and purchasing assistance.
Garden Activities in Phoenix
Discovery Stations
Oct. 15 – Dec. 31
Daily 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Stop by one of our many Discovery Stations and participate in hands-on activities with volunteers to learn about the animals and plants of the Sonoran Desert.
Desert Guardians Activity Booklet
Get ready to explore the desert like a real hero! With our Desert Guardians Activity Booklet, kids team up with a crew of super‑fun Garden-inspired characters to solve puzzles, go on scavenger hunts and discover the coolest desert plants and animals. Every page helps young explorers learn how to take care of the desert and become true Desert Guardian. Available at Admissions.
