Boyce Thompson Arboretum

Our experience was wonderful. There are beautiful views everywhere with miles of comfortable walking paths. An amazing diversity of flora and fauna to keep any artist or photographer happy for days. All the staff and volunteers that we met were extremely knowlegeable, helpful and friendly. This is a great place to go in January and the little town of Superior, AZ is close by for all your shopping and dining needs. We learned more the wildlife and plantlife of the desert than we thought possible and plan to return often. For artists and photographers, visiting in the late afternoon is recommended to catch the best light, but it is all beautiful any time of day.

Excellent visit today. Admission is very reasonably priced, with kids under 5 free, and memberships making entry free for those under 18—a great value for families. There’s an incredible variety of plants to explore, tons of well-maintained trails, and beautiful open green spaces throughout the arboretum. The gift shop has a nice selection of plants for sale as well. It’s also very dog-friendly—we saw plenty of four-legged friends enjoying the trails, which was great to see. Accessibility is another big plus, with many trails available for visitors with mobility considerations. Overall, a fantastic experience and a place we will definitely be returning to.

Came here with my wife while on vacation in the area. It was the last thing we did before we left the next morning, and boy am I glad we stopped here! It's stunning!!! It is a masterpiece of landscaping, with an incredible variety of plants from around the world! It makes for a very relaxing and zenful experience. I wish we would've found out about it earlier! This is honestly one of the top reasons, if not THE top reason I want to go back to Queen Valley!! Also, they have awesome merch! I got a Painted Bunting hat!

I’ve lived in Arizona for almost 20 years and this was my first visit. It’s a beautiful park and I can’t believe I waited so long. Many areas to see, so many that you probably won’t be able to see them all in a single visit. I definitely recommend walking the large loop trail through the canyon as that’s the most scenic area. The trails are all very well maintained and pretty easy to walk. If the weather is cool enough, just about anyone can handle them. I would plan on spending about three hours to see all of the best areas. If it were closer I would certainly consider getting an annual pass.

A truly wonderful, clean, and picturesque place. The reception staff are incredibly kind, and you'll enjoy the beautiful views of cacti in all their shapes and varieties. You can stroll along the paths between the trees and cacti, past the lovely lake and the magnificent house at the top of the hill. You'll find yourself in another beautiful world, surrounded by a wonderful family atmosphere. I highly recommend visiting and enjoying its ambiance.

Great Oasis to escape the city for a day, morning or afternoon. Don't just pay for the day, be a member it is reasonably priced and good for a year. Enjoy the drive out and parking was easy. Nice walk for me and my family. Cool sculptures along the path and 5+ miles of trails to explore throughout the Arboretum. Much more for me to see and I am planning on being a regular.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Arizona is a must-visit destination for nature lovers, photographers, and families with small children who want a peaceful outdoor escape. The scenic desert trails are beautifully maintained, with excellent educational signage that highlights the unique plants and landscapes of the Sonoran Desert. We loved it so much we bought an annual membership—an amazing value that also includes access to over 300 gardens nationwide through the American Horticultural Society’s reciprocal program. Don’t miss the Glass in Flight exhibit, featuring breathtaking glass art inspired by butterflies and dragonflies, on display through January 2026. It’s perfect for a relaxing day trip near Phoenix or Tucson! And they have a GREAT, little gift shop too!

We enjoyed visiting botanical gardens and arboreta when we travel, and this has turned out to be one of our favorites. Easy hikes, a beautifully planted and well maintained collection, and great views! We visited in early December, a few weeks after rain, so it was greener than it might have otherwise have been. The fall colors were especially good. Lots of shade and seating scattered throughout. Signage for the main trail could be better, but there was no danger of getting lost.

We went to Boyce Thompson Arboretum over the weekend. It is located in Superior, Arizona which is about an hour away from us. We live in the East Valley. You can bring your dogs to explore with you. Reminder to bring your own poop bags, water and a secure leash. We enjoyed the hiking trails along with the gardens with different region themes such as South America, and a garden with plants that attract butterflies and humming birds. They offer shaded areas and seating through out which helped us take breaks and enjoy the views. It is truly an experience that provides many opportunities to stop and take in beautiful landscape and photos. We plan on coming back since there is more left to explore. The admission to enter is $24.95 for adults and youth (13-17) $10 for children (5-12), and free for members and children under 5 yrs old.

Recently stopped by, was hoping to see some fall leaves, but it's not quite looking like fall yet. Found a single tree going yellow. No coati's this time, who are in my opinion the star of the place! Mosquitos were so-so, we just didn't stop much, especially in the shade. Certainly saw a few getting ideas about biting, but I moved along quickly. The gardens were in decent shape in spite of the storms we had last month, but it was clear there was a lot of erosion that had to be cleaned up. Paths were still very walkable. They had plants for sale as part of their fall plant sale. Was interested in finding something unique, but things weren't labelled well - gave up and left. Maybe next year.

We decided to walk through the arboretum and WOW, everyone needs to see this hidden gem! Great walking trails with loads of exotic plants as well as art installations. We saw the Coatimundi (they have two bands roaming the grounds!) and the scenery is just amazing! Check this place out!!

A great way to see how the cactus are doing here .. Each visit is a bit different because of new flowers or bee's or a change you have forgot. The Wallace Family donation from a personal inground collection added a whole new huge area to explore. Just Finished last year. That collection was so big they had to bring in equipment and crews and now the area is on its own and designated Wallace. If you join as a annual pass, Your admission is included and a free pass for A guest. Just the entry for three would be a C Note. So, it's special .. And another 20 pct discount on your plants in the garden shop area and the gift shop. By the time you have wandered and shopped it can be a five hour visit. And for us, it's a hundred mile round trip past the Arizona copper mines in Hayden and Wickenburg. You may pass a mining dump truck the size of a small Cottage Home. A day for exploring Arizona on a dime.

Man, it's cold in Superior, AZ. The polar vortex did NOT miss Arizona, and we absolutely felt it Monday morning. My family and I arrived an hour after they opened where there was plenty of parking! Walking toward the ticket booth, there were plenty of cacti for sale and gardening decor. We bought our tickets, got a map (but take a photo - it lasts longer!), and made our way through all of the gardens. All the trails were fairly easy, with no crazy steep hills. We managed to make our way to all of the gardens I believe. The morning dew and the rising sun really added to the beauty that is the desert. My little one stayed warm and cozy in his stroller, and we got to see a family quails running and hiding, listen to the bird, and see a set of rabbits! This is fantastic for kids, as long as you watch them. Our little one was able to run around along the paved trail and exhaust himself for his mid-morning nap. There is a children's garden, next to the greenhouses, and the rose garden which is very cute. We also walked toward the lake which was not too big, but still very pretty and relaxing to look at. We would love to come back again when the native flowers are in full bloom, and when the leaves start to turn color again for autumn. I highly recommend!

Beautiful! Large botanical garden, we started on the main trail and decided to advance to the high trail for better views. The main trail has all of the special gardens and exhibits but the high trail has better views. I wore cowboy boots but I recommend trail or hiking boots. It's a couple of miles. We came around 3pm on a Saturday which was perfect, by the end (5pm) the sun was setting and it was gorgeous. They recommend coming in November for the autumn colors which was perfect, we came right after Thanksgiving, and it was gorgeous. $25 per person, parking on site. You take the 60 East past the Ren Fair in Gold Canyon, it's about 10 more minutes East. About 1 hour & 15 minutes from Phoenix.

This is such a beautiful place to visit, you can easily spend a whole day here and not scratch the surface of creation that is everywhere around you. If you are into photography this place is a must! They have a butterfly area, trees, plants, cactuses, birds, "other animals that will show up unannounced that you have to search for " trails, an old homestead, a you suspension bridge and more! This place is a hiker's paradise as well. So much beauty to see here. You can buy season tickets. General admission is $24.95. My friend was a member so I received a five dollar discount. They have a huge parking lot as well. If you are within 50 miles of the Arboretum I highly recommend going.

Just loved my visit here! Not to be missed and well worth the over an hour drive to Superior from Scottsdale. My friend couldn't walk a lot but their trails are well groomed and benches along to sit and enjoy the views or rest. This was the best of both worlds for us: I who wanted a more scenic trail and my friend who needed an easier trail. The easy walk was about 2 hours with pit stops. Suggest you start the walk of your left side as it will lead to less hills. We bumped into a volunteer who was most helpful. We got lucky and saw the coatimundis. Free parking, gift store, washrooms, and a picnic area. There is also a garden shop out front and can buy plants/Catus.

I was really impressed with the arboretum. They built it in a place with such natural beautiful scenery and there are lots of different trails to walk. I easily spent a couple of hours walking around and could have spent more time. The paths are relatively flat so it is suitable for all ages. The only downside is it is an hour drive from Phoenix.

This has always been on my list of sites to visit and today finally did it. The weather was nice which was good otherwise it would be too hot in middle of May. The grounds are pristine, few, well up-kept. We hiked the loop and it was nice. Not hard. There were rocky areas though. Overall would recommend. It's $50 for two people.

What a beautiful place. So many great options for trails. We took the loop trail to start, however Nita thought we should take one more difficult. The high trail was delicious hard. If you come to Arizona this is a must stop

One of my favorite places to go with the kids! This place is great if you're looking for an easy hike or just stroll around. They got all the nice views of the desert, the mountains, all the native Arizona plants and sometimes you'll see some wild birds and animals. Our kids did the one and half mile around the whole thing and we had a great time just exploring and taking pictures.

We originally planned to hike Wave Cave but couldn't find any parking, so my friend and I decided to come here instead--and it did not disappoint! Admission was $24.95 per person, which is a bit on the pricey side, but I thought it was totally worth it. We walked a little over two miles and explored some of the old structures that are still standing. They had Christmas music playing (not my favorite--haha) and food trucks, so there were quite a few people around. Overall, it was a really cool place I didn't even know existed! I'll definitely be back!

I love being able to walk through a forest and hear all the sounds of nature. It's beautiful and rustic.

"The most beautiful gift of nature is that it gives one pleasure to look around and try to comprehend what we see." -- Albert Einstein Boyce Thompson Arboretum has been on my list of places I want to see since I moved to Arizona 23 years ago! I am so happy I was finally able to do so in early spring! We loved it here! Beautiful plants, beautiful views, and just a nice peaceful and calm to visit. We were delighted with songs from a cardinal and a cactus wren, and even though it was only around 70° for our visit, I loved seeing the abundance of shady areas, and even a few lush areas with water features. The grounds are kept up beautifully, and there are many unique gardens, full of variety for your eyes to absorb! They have a great little gift shop too! Even though this was our first visit, I am hoping it is not our last. Our day here was so full of surprises!

This is THE place for stunning fall colors! We happened to be able to check it out in its prime. This is the second time I've visited and brought out of town guests. Everyone really enjoyed the day. There's currently a family of coatimundis as well which we enjoyed watching eating in the trees.

We love coming out here! Takes less than an hour from the Chandler area and you enter into a wonderful nature filled environment. It was a bit crowded, which we expected due to the holidays but we also found many quiet corners to sit and relax, reflect, and enjoy the sounds of nature. The Coatimundi were out and about, eating berries all throughout the Acacia tree on the trail by the metal bridge so staff were monitoring and allowing visitors through the area just a few at a time. The Arboretum is a dog friendly place but because the Coatimundi were on the trail, they asked those with dogs to back-track the trail and staff weren't letting them through under the Acacia bush. Totally understandable although there was some grumbling from a few guests. We always pack a picnic when coming out for the day and we love the huge picnic area they have. There are many picnic benches available and I typically pack a tablecloth to cover the table. We were visited by several red cardinals and one female. The Grotto is one of our favorite places to sit and take in nature. Overall just a great experience and highly recommend a day trip out here.

This is a hidden gem. If you're a fan of the botanical garden, this is a nice little spot to hit up. It's cool to go on a hike and see all types of plants that look integrated into the environment. It's surprisingly green and they have a lot of shaded paths. It's dog friendly if your dog well behaved. I drive by this all the time on my way from Gilbert to New Mexico and never seen a sign about it. It really isn't too far if you're in the East Valley. Being in AZ for close to 20 years, I never knew about this place. We went early Saturday morning and parking wasn't bad at all. I think it was about an hour and a half to do the basic loop, taking our time looking at the different sections and areas. It was $25 for an adult. I would have paid a year membership, if I wasn't moving out of AZ in a few weeks. We would come back here again no questions asked.

This place is located about 45 - 60 minutes east of Phoenix. It is just off Highway 60. We arrive just after they opened at 10 a.m. on a Monday (holiday). Perhaps due to the holiday, it seemed more crowded than I'd have expected, but the crowd was not overwhelming. My wife had purchased some American Horticultural pass before the trip that got us in for free here (on the assumption that we can use it elsewhere later in the year). There were some shaded areas and plenty of sunny ones, so if you visit in the warmer months, bring sufficient water, a hat, and sunscreen. When we first started out, a couple of the volunteers / docents engaged us in two separate incidents for several minutes of interesting conversation / explanations. Our only worry was that if they kept popping up at that pace, we'd never complete the loop. The density of volunteers thinned out quickly, though. They did provide some good background, though. The layout is mostly around a large loop trail that circles behind a rocky hill and then returns along Queen Creek. It took us almost 2 hours to complete the loop, but we could have stayed in some areas longer. They had areas dedicated to regions (such as Australia) and sections given over to particular species or sub-species of plants (cactus, eucalyptus, etc.). The signs were informative. At one point you pass near a house on a clifftop that was built by the guy who founded the arboretum in the 1920s (Boyce Thompson). It is not open to tours, but was interesting to view even from a distance. There was an alternate route on one side across Queen Creek that was billed as the 'high trail' or something similar. We didn't have time to explore it but it looked interesting. They appeared to have some sort of food vending on the weekends, but as we visited on Monday we had to venture a couple of miles further into Superior for lunch afterwards. If you have much interest in plants generally or just want to have a couple of hours relaxing on a nature walk, this is a great venue.

Nice place to get lost in the shade (!!) year round. Where else can you see 100 year old trees like this in the desert .. ok, the Phx Botanical Garden, but this is closer to E Mesa. Summer hours are limited to mornings. What's nice is you can bring your DOG !! .. unlike some Nat'l Parks. Last fall when we were here they had an expansive colorful garden art exhibition .. wish it was still here. We did see a few coatimundis along the trail. Adorable. We got the family membership and hope to spend many more days in this low-key natural experience.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum is a AZ treasure. A must visit! So many trails and a swaying bridge to cross for a moderate trek aside the mountain. Plants galore, native and from around the world. Huge trees, cacti, herb gardens, children garden, roses and perrenials. Coatis! Views! Gift shop, plants sales and special events. Nice ornamental art pieces, too. Too many features to mention. I am a member and a volunteer. Love this place.

What a great place to spend the afternoon. My parents visit from out of state every spring. We have adventured through most of the local attractions and activities around the Phoenix and Tucson Metro areas. However, I had recently started hearing more and more people talk about Boyce Thompson Arboretum. We drove out from Scottsdale and thoroughly enjoyed walking around the arboretum. It takes several hours to walk the trails. We particularly liked the historical cabin and windmill. All of the old growth trees and other plants were also a treat to take in and photograph. My only dislike has nothing to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum itself. It is the fact that there is little to do in the area in addition to exploring the arboretum. One does drive by the Renaissance Festival grounds on the way, but that is a full day activity in itself. BTA is also a participant in the Culture Pass program at the local libraries.

Beautiful walk, gorgeous scenery, unkept very well. Plants are well taken care of and easily marked. A variety of different plants. You can spent anywhere from a quick 20 minutes to hours here. It is an easy drive from Phoenix and well worth the trip. Highly recommend. $25 to get in and worth every penny. Recommend going at fall when the leaves change, you can even leave with a plant from their green house for your home!

Fabulous! The 75 minute drive was well worth it. Water and good walking shoes are a must as you walk through a number of different ecosystems from lush to desert to mountainous to water. Easy to navigate with informative signs all over, we probably walked 3 miles and could've done more. This place is a gem. Great to bring out of towners to.

Just really an awesome place to hang out get some air, do a little hiking. Purchased the membership and it honestly pays for itself after the second visit (assuming you come with second person each time). Also, once you get through Apache Junction is makes for a pretty drive.

6 stars across the board. Easy parking, reasonable prices and a wonderful selection of plants/trees/animals and open walking paths throughout the park. It is worth it for us to get a membership providing a great place for a morning walk. Bring water and good shoes and enjoy a great place to explore.

I have learned so much from going to this arboretum. The Discovery Tours are awesome, Saturday they have kids activities and the hiking trails have some great views. Worth every dollar!

A warm and breezy day at the Arboretum. As you walk to the entry area, cacti and succulents are for sale. You're given a map of the facility if you are new to the area or haven't been there in awhile. We found the map somewhat hard to read. There are many pathways and forks in the road to follow yet not marked clearly. The walking trails are dusty. I advise good walking or hiking shoes. There are a few shady spots to rest. I saw two water stops and restrooms so take advantage of those. I also suggest wearing a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, carry water and hydrate often. The Arboretum is separated into different area and those are marked. Many of the cacti were either about to bloom, blooming or just completed their blooms. The gift store is small. It has many souvenirs to take home. A nice visit. Private parking lot and WiFi in areas.

As if they need another 5* review but here goes. People love working there .. it's a small underrated version of Botanical Gardens in Phoenix .. such a cute town too. We always bring guests here for a quiet day.

This was a very pretty getaway! Great for bird watching and short hikes. Great gift shop!

If you have not been here, what on earth are you waiting for?!? This is your sign! This place is Arizona's largest and oldest desert botanical. From beautiful cacti to roses to a greenhouse and a suspension bridge, this is a must see and do. The arboretum is pet friendly so you can bring your fue baby, water stations and fountains can also be found along the trail. You can easily spend an hour or more just exploring. This is definitely worth more than one visit as the staff informed us experiencing the colors and beauty in the spring versus the fall is worth it so I will be back come fall. Side note, the first Tuesday of every month, they offer free admission during a certain season. If you do take advantage of this, be sure to register online in advance before it's sold out. We landed the last free Tuesday of the season in May. Be sure to check the website.

So happy we came here on our visit. The weather was perfect in February. Even though there were a lot of people, the place is so big you don't feel to close to other groups. The Cactus are labeled really well. The eucalyptus forest is the busses one in North America and it was really neat to see all the different varieties. They have a cut floral competition showcase while we were there. There are also a couple tortoise who live there in one section as well. You could easily spend hours here. They have a little cafe area. The floral flavored coffee was average. We bought a "picnic", which was crackers, cheese and a Costco hummus.

Off the beaten path but a great stop for several Hours of amazing views and wonderful walking trails. This place is a hidden gem about an hour out of Phoenix - I can't recommend this enough....

My daughter and I recently spent a day exploring the many gardens & trails at arboretum. It was a gray and overcast day in December but the AZ desert did not disappoint. We took the free 1-hour guided tour and we learned so much from the guide, I recommend this on your first visit. My favorite discovery was the Clevenger House built on the side of the mountain with an herb garden out front and dwarf pomegranates trees used to create a fence around the yard. The stream with water flowing was steps away. There are plenty of benches to sit and catch your breath or just enjoy the birds & butterflies. The trails are mostly dirt so wear comfy shoes. You would have to visit this place several times to see it all, buy the annual pass and come back often. There are picnic areas where you can enjoy a packed lunch. Currently no restaurant on site. Definitely bring water and a snack. Plenty of free parking.

Loved every foot of this place! Worth the $25 ticket price. Come prepared to spend several hours wandering all the trails and looking at all the labeled flora. We even saw some fauna! A troupe of coati, which I had never heard of, crossed the main trail. So exciting!!!

What a beautiful and amazing day to share with my friend Kathleen. There was so much to see, to learn, and experience the spectacular landscapes of Gods creation in nature. It's hard to imagine the diversity of the landscapes and climate of Arizona. Next year they will be celebrating their bicentennial. They have a white gum tree known as a eucalyptus there, it was planted in 1925. It could be the biggest eucalyptus tree in North America, and even the biggest eucalyptus tree in the world. It was a gentle giant, a must see. I WOULD RECOMMEND

We were surprised by the size and the fauna and flora from around the world. They have a building with cacti from the East and West deserts. There is a beautiful home on the Sade of a rock face, beautiful! We came upon ring tail cats eating berries from underneath a tree. Park held visitors back and answered questions, they allowed us to pass when the cats were done eating.

It was quite busy at the arboretum today despite the rain. There were many cacti for sale at the front. The mini cacti were adorable but expensive. They also had a variety of trees for sale out front as well. There was some art available for sale at the front as well just past the gift shop. I was able to walk the main trail in under an hour. When not stopping and skipping the hike over the swinging bridge, it takes 30-40 minutes when there are not a lot of slow walkers or stops. There was at least one person with their dog. Many people came with their kids for photos with Santa. I didn't see too much else due to the rain. Besides the Boyce Thompson house that can be seen from the trail, there was also a house that had one wall attached to the mountain side. The Clevenger house. Don't be scared, those aren't ghosts in the window. Due to the rain there were a lot of people taking shelter inside.

I have loved all of my visits to the Arboretum, but have not been impressed with their customer service. I bought tickets for my mother and myself and then received a call from my mother that she suddenly fell sick and couldn't go. I have called and emailed to see if the $50 worth of tickets could simply be applied to another day and have heard nothing. It wouldn't cost them anything to change my ticket date or at least give me a coupon for partial the amount. This inflexibility and lack of communication is less than impressive and makes me question whether I will return.

Fantastic getaway from the city to enjoy desert delights. This is great for everyone to visit.

I love this place so much. After driving 45 minutes from Mesa, I'm out in the beautiful, unspoiled desert near Superior. There are some medium-sized mountains around too. The Arboretum has trails that take you up to beautiful vistas through cactus gardens, weaving between gorgeous trees and over a suspension bridge. My favorite area is the Australian Walkabout with its huge eucalyptus trees. Everywhere you look there are cool-looking plants, cacti and flowers along with plenty of opportunities to see wildlife. Almost everything is labeled or has signs, so you can learn a lot if you're down for that. There is a small gift shop, and sometimes they have events like their plant sale or tables with handmade items to purchase. If you receive their emails you'll find lots of classes offered for things like photography, bird watching and lizard walks. You can find opportunities for everyone from little kids to seniors. My favorite event of the year is the Arboretum's Fall Festival, typically held on Thanksgiving weekend. We love to see the trees at their peak color, listen to music, grab a donut and some cider and peruse the different vendors. It's not a large event but we love it. If you need a change of scenery, head out to the Arboretum to soak up some quality time with nature!

What a great place to connect with nature just a little over an hour from Phoenix. This is my second time visiting and I'm as wowed as I was the first time. It is such a beautiful place with so many different plants, birds, and scenery changes. One of the trails takes you from a lower desert area up to an upper dessert landscape and down into more of a forestry area with a creek running next to it. There are portions of the trail that are more accessible than others but there is something for everyone which I love. Adults admissions are $24.95 and children 5-12 years old are $10. I did not see any type of student or senior discounts. Give yourself at least 3 hours but ideally more so you can explore all the different gardens and have enough time to appreciate them and stop along the way. They have a really cute gift shop with all sorts of souvenirs including plants. There are water stations and shaded areas throughout the arboretum. I recommend bringing water or another hydrating drink, a snack, comfy and lightweight clothes, and a hat. I've been here during the summer and the spring and I will say during the summer it gets pretty hot so I recommend getting there first thing in the morning. There was a coffee cart when I went so I got a cup of coffee and a snack before starting our walk. The gift shop has some drinks but otherwise there is not much else to drink or eat. Must go for locals and anyone visiting from out of town!

We had a wonderful time! Most of the pathways are nice and shady. Lots of cactus and flowers blooming now and hummingbirds. Some people packed coolers of food and they have picnic table areas. Nice gift shop and bathrooms. It was a great experience.

Lovely place. We pleasantly surprised of park settings and plants variety. Plan to come back soon.

Beautiful place with lots of vegetation, tons of trees from all over including lots of cacti of course. Great trail, great November weather. I will buy a baby cactus.

We loved it in Superior! First timer, it is a beautiful nature walk. My family and I had a wonderful time, the trails are mostly dirt paths so wear comfy shoes that you are OK to be dusty! Loved the butterflies and hummingbirds area. There are plenty of benches (some hidden) to rest. We tried to stay on the main path as much as possible. We did hiked up a little but need to make sure mom and dad can make it with us. We found a man made lake in the middle of all this! All true. Free parking and close by too!

STUNNING! There's not much more I can add and the place certainly speaks for itself, but we enjoyed looking at the variety of plants and exploring the surprising amount of land to hike. The last time we came here was in the fall when everything was dead (and apparently we only saw a quarter of the offerings), so coming in the spring is definitely the way to go, and thankfully it wasn't bursting-at-the-seams busy. My only wishes (other than it being closer to the Valley), would be to have a full-fledged restaurant towards the entrance, and to repurpose the Picket Post House as a hotel so people could REALLY immerse themselves in the experience...but I can dream :-D

We had stopped here for a quick visit about nine years ago so I was glad we could go back when we had more time on this visit. For late April it was not too hot even though it was mid-afternoon. Given the rainy winter the flowering cacti were fantastic. There is so much to see. We walked the entire main trail which if hot would be too much. If you go clockwise you get the shade on the way back. So many cool plants to experience - who knew there were that many varieties of cacti. I understand they have a good guided tour though it appears to be only in the morning at this time of the year (their website could use some updating in this regard). The price is $19/ person so it is not cheap. If you check in with Yelp you get $1 each admission.

An unknown (to me) little piece of nature and peacefulness I needed!! It was an amazing day of strolling and soaking in nature.