Desert Botanical Garden
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The Desert Botanical Garden is an outdoor conservatory located in Phoenix, Arizona. Visitors can stroll through 140 acres while viewing the over 50,000 plants on display. There are 4,482 species of plants found at the Desert Botanical Garden, 519 of which are rare and endangered.
How to Get There
The Dessert Botanical Garden is found just outside of the city of Phoenix, Arizona and is just a few miles from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The Valley Metro bus system frequently makes stops in the area, and bus number 56 makes stops directly at the Garden.
Rent an RV For Your Visit to Desert Botanical Garden
Visit Desert Botanical Garden
There are five total walking trails found in the Garden, a café and a restaurant, a shop, a library, and a butterfly pavilion. The butterfly pavilion is certainly a highlight of the Garden since it is home to over 2,000 butterflies that are native to the American Southwest. The restaurant, named Gertrude’s, is also a highlight that features fine dining with ingredients sourced from local farms and pastures. This restaurant was also a Diner’s Choice Award winner, and it has indoor and outdoor seating options.
Ticket Information
General admission tickets to Desert Botanical Garden include access to all five of the Garden’s walking trails, exhibits, and some rotating exhibits. Adult and youth tickets are both priced at $16.95, and children 2 and under may enter free with a children’s ticket. Active military members can also get free admission tickets with a valid ID. Every second Tuesday of every month, admission is free as a part of the Garden's Community Day.
Annual membership tickets are also available to purchase, starting at $89 a year. Membership includes free year-round entry, a one-time guest pass, a discount on educational programs and shop purchases, and free admission to other partnering botanical gardens and conservatories nationwide.
Family-Friendly Options
Visitors of all ages can enjoy the Desert Botanical Garden, and children will especially enjoy the Cactus Clubhouse area. This area is designed to help children grow physically and cognitively with independent play. Additionally, the Garden offers family-friendly events seasonally, such as Story Time events, which feature a staff member reading a nature-themed book with accompanying crafts.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
When you want to visit the Desert Botanical Garden, consider coming on the day of a special event. Events at the Garden are typically offered on Fridays and Saturdays and require additional tickets to attend. Before the scheduled event, be sure to explore the Garden on your own by giving yourself at least an hour to walk the trails. Make sure that you have a camera ready to take photos specifically on the Harriet K. Maxwell Desert Wildflower Loop Trail since this trail is full of blooming desert flowers and beautiful native butterflies. At the end of your trip, stop by Gertrude's or the café to get a bite to eat before you go.
Desert Botanical Garden Accommodations
Campgrounds Nearby
Apache Palms RV Park is located northwest of Chandler in the suburb of Tempe. Unlike many other RV parks in the area, Apache Palms RV Park offers free Wi-Fi to guests. You have the option of reserving an Elite Site, which includes a picnic table and a grill.
This RV park is located in Scottsdale’s East Valley. It’s a seniors-only park and is one of the largest RV properties in the area. This campground provides a great home base for seeing the sights of the Grand Canyon, Tempe, and Apache Junction.
Green Acres RV Park is a Good Sam RV park. That means you’ll receive reduced pricing if you’re a Good Sam member. The local train station is right across the street.
Activities Near Desert Botanical Garden
Things to Do
Hiking
You'll find excellent trails to explore at the famous Hole in the Rock nearby. This landmark is free to see and features an easy hiking area around it. The landmark itself is a large natural sandstone rock formation that has multiple eroded holes inside of it.
Fishing
There is a community fishing area at Papago Park. To access the park, you can hike in from the Hole in the Rock. At Papago Park, kids will love watching and feeding the ducks.
Boating
Head south to Tempe Beach Park. There, you can take your boat out on the Salt River, or you can rent a paddleboat if you would like. This location is also popular for biking and geocaching.
National Parks
National Sites
Weather, Safety & Accessibility
Weather & Packing
The Desert Botanical Garden is open year-round, and, though it rarely rains in the area, it is also open during rainy days. If you plan a visit to the Garden on a day of rain, be sure to bring an umbrella and rain jacket to enjoy the outdoor trails. If you visit in the summer, know that the Garden can get quite hot with a lot of sun, so consider packing water bottles and sunscreen.
Safety & Accessibility
In the event of an emergency, staff members at the Garden should immediately be notified since many members can assist with first aid or other medical attention. For visitor safety on hot days, many drinking fountains are provided along the trails.
The trails at the Garden are fully wheelchair accessible though they are not paved, so visitors with disabilities should plan for their trip accordingly. The Garden’s café is also accessible with a ramp, and there are wheelchair-accessible restrooms.
Conclusion
When you want to see the beauty of the western United States, make sure you stop by the Desert Botanical Garden. This attraction is full of native plants to Arizona, and it's full of interpretive signs and panels that will help you learn all about them.
FAQ
Green Acres is the closest campground to Desert Botanical Garden, and it is in a location right next to a city bus stop.
There are plenty of free parking areas near the Desert Botanical Garden, some of which are accessible to RVs.
Visitors to Desert Botanical Garden should know that, while it is not required, tickets should be purchased in advance. This helps reserve a spot at the Garden so you can avoid the long lines.
Yes. The Garden has plenty of family-friendly guided and self-guided activities. The trails at the Garden are also easy to walk and are accessible to strollers.
Generally, the Desert Botanical Garden does not accept pets to enter. However, there are some select days during the year when pets may be allowed to walk the trails.