Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park

Regular Hours In Effect

Regular hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. The day's last paid admission is taken at 4:00 pm, so visitors have a full hour to enjoy the trails and gardens.

Feb. 11 - 14: Language Of Flowers Valentines Weekend Flower Show

8 am - 5 pm daily, Feb. 11-14. Flowers, chocolates and jewelry -- its all here at Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park for your Valentines Weekend date. See, smell and photograph a wide array of flowering plants, cut flowers and exotic blossoms from Saturday through Tuesday as the Smith Building Lecture Room is transformed by the fragrant, colorful Language of Flowers exhibit -- with placards near each plant telling you about the ancient meaning of that particular flower -- or its meaning when given in a bouquet with other blossoms. Baker and candy-maker Jerry Temanson (an Arboretum member whose chocolate covered cherries were a hit here on Thanksgiving weekend), will sell chocolates and give away samples both days of the weekend - and Barbara Pohan will exhibit and sell her unique handmade jewelry, too; using turquoise, peridot and other native Arizona gemstones. Barb's also a BTA annual member - and generously donates a portion of her sales to support the Arboretum.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum Video Tour

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A variety of plants from the world's deserts await you at Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is the place to discover the intricate beauty and many faces of Arizona's oldest and largest botanical garden. Featured are plants from the world's deserts, towering trees, captivating cacti, sheer mountain cliffs, a streamside forest, panoramic vistas, many natural habitats with varied wildlife, a desert lake, a hidden canyon, specialty gardens and more.

The Arboretum was founded in the 1920s by mining magnate Col. William Boyce Thompson. In 1917 Col. Thompson served as co-leader of a Red Cross mercy mission to Russia, where he came to understand the importance of plants as the ultimate source of a large portion of mankind's food, clothing, and shelter. It was then, that he determined to use his great wealth to improve the use of plant resources. The Arboretum is one of his legacies.

Take a 360° Virtual Tour

Encompassing 323 acres, the Arboretum is Arizona's oldest and largest botanical garden. It was the first purely botanical institution in the inter-mountain states. The Arizona State Parks Board entered into agreement with the Boyce Thompson Arboretum Board and the University of Arizona in 1976 to cooperatively manage the Arboretum.