Top 5 Reasons to Visit Boyce Thompson Arboretum

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Thank you to Arizona State Parks & Trails for passes to explore Boyce Thompson Arboretum. All opinions, photographs, and videos of the properties are ours.

plants Boyce Thompson Arboretum

Butterflies fluttering near you and hearing the sounds of hummingbirds, this was our welcome as we entered the Boyce Thompson Arboretum.

On a cool temperature day in November, we decided to take a walk/hike around the Boyce Thompson Arboretum park grounds. We were very impressed with plant diversity. Boyce Thompson Arboretum is known for “Plants of the Worlds Deserts”

#1 The Plantsplants 2 Boyce Thompson Arboretum

Boyce Thompson Arboretum does an amazing job of labeling many of the plants on the different paths. It was fun to quiz myself on my plant identification knowledge. Also, I learned a few more names. Throughout the paths, there were many learning stations where a plant would be identified and it would describe how the plant has been used by humans.

#2 The AnimalsView Boyce Thompson Arboretum

There is a hummingbird and butterfly garden that has specific plants to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. You can sit on a bench and watch them fly around you. This is a wonderful spot to take photos. Around Ayer Lake, there is bird watching. There is a ramada for sitting with your binoculars to view birds. As you walk the different paths, there are lizards, squirrels, and other small animals to identify.

#3 The PathsView Boyce Thompson Arboretum

Did you know there is a 1.25-mile loop? I did not know this. There are many additional paths that you can do to add length to your hike if you are trying to reach tour 10,000 steps for the day. We chose to explore all the different paths, such as

Sonoran Desert Exhibit
Greenhouses
Chihuahua Desert Exhibit
South American Desert Exhibit
Upland Sonoran Natural Area
Cactus & Succulents Garden
Australia Desert Exhibit
Herb Garden
Eucalyptus Forest
Gum Bark Trail

Path Boyce Thompson Arboretum

#4 The ViewsView Boyce Thompson Arboretum

We enjoyed the views of the mountains and the vegetation. Throughout the park, there are many benches where you can choose to rest and view your soundings. We saw people meditating in areas. There is a picnic area to enjoy a meal surrounded by all the amazing trees and flowers.

#5 The Gift ShopGiftshop Boyce Thompson Arboretum

If you fell in love with a flower or the leaves of a particular plant and would like to grow it at home, check out the gift shop. The gift shop sales many plants of all sizes for you to take home.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Boyce Thompson ArboretumPath 2 Boyce Thompson Arboretum

Do you live in Arizona or going to visit Arizona soon? We recommend visiting Boyce Thompson Arboretum either for a nice walk or to have a family picnic.

The Boyce Thompson Arboretum is in Superior, Arizona. For park details, hours and pricing visit http://www.btarboretum.org

plants 3 Boyce Thompson Arboretum

For additional Arizona State Parks information, visit https://azstateparks.com

25 thoughts on “Top 5 Reasons to Visit Boyce Thompson Arboretum
  1. I just moved to Arizona and it looks amazing. Who would like go with me on a hike there? The plants and flowers are beautiful.

    1. Yes, the plants are beautiful. On the park’s website, there is a calendar of events. It includes group activities that you can join in.

  2. I didn’t know about the loop! Great to know. I love butterflies and hummingbirds I will make this a deffinetly going to because of this post! Thanks for sharing great information.

  3. I had visited Boyce Thompson Arboretum many years ago. Looks like we need to visit again. The pictures are wonderful. Would be relaxing to sit and enjoy the peace of nature.

  4. I love seeing a beautiful arboretum, and this one looks just great! Beautiful scenery…can’t beat that. 🙂 And just seeing a warm climate while I sit in chilly Minnesota warms my heart.

  5. Now that my retirement is only six weeks away, you know I’m planning adventures of all sorts. Arizona is now on my short list thanks to this post!

  6. I live right down the street from this and we drive past to go ride our sandrail but we have never stopped. I will have to plan on it one day the views are beautiful.

    1. We were the same. We have driven past the entrance many times to go camping. I am glad we stopped in.

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