Jardín Botánico del Desierto

Especially in the hot month of July, if you’re thinking about visiting, just remember to take it easy when you’re outside. It’s a great spot for families any time of the year, but don’t forget to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated! The garden has tons of cacti, succulents, and other plants that might surprise you. The staff is super friendly and ready to help, and you’ll find signs along the paths to keep you on track. You’ll even get a map when you walk in! Even though it can get really hot, drinking plenty of water lets you enjoy everything the Desert Botanical Garden has to offer. You can wander through different trails and check out the beautiful desert plants. Each area has its vibe, and there are cool exhibits that teach you about the local environment and why it’s important to take care of it. During the summer, there are often fun events like guided tours and educational activities to help you learn more about the desert. Plus, visiting in the evening is nice because it cools down and the garden looks magical with all the lights. Don’t forget to check out the gift shop for some local art, books, or even a little plant to take home. There’s also a spot to grab some snacks and drinks. Overall, visiting the Desert Botanical Garden in July is doable if you plan ahead. With some water, sunblock and a relaxed attitude, it’s a fun day out for families, nature lovers, or anyone wanting to check out the desert’s beauty!

I love visiting botanical gardens, not just for their visual beauty, but also because they are generally quiet, peaceful, and a great way to lower your stress. Most botanical gardens feature lush greenery, beautiful flowers, and the like, but one exception is the Desert Botanical Garden, in Phoenix. Desert plants are not generally associated with visual appeal, but a visit to the Desert Botanical Garden could easily make you reconsider this commonly held viewpoint. This large garden is home to tens of thousands of desert plants- not just the usual cacti, but others, too. The color you will see the most is light/olive green, but there are some desert flowers in the mix, too, for those who expect a little more color when they visit a botanical garden. Desert Botanical Garden has multiple paths, all of them short, and it can be completely walked in a relatively short time. One thing I really like about this botanical garden is the abundance of signs. No matter where you are, you never get the feeling of being lost- there is always a sign, showing you the way. Another thing I appreciate is the water bottle filling stations. When you’re walking around in the desert, you will get thirsty and staying hydrated is a must, especially in the summer months. There are no worries here- the water is plentiful. Your visit to Desert Botanical Garden shouldn’t take more than about two hours at the most, but you will greatly enjoy what you see. I wasn’t so sure about this attraction, but it won me over quickly and I learned more about desert plants than I ever expected. Be sure to arrive with plenty of sunblock on your skin, and a water bottle in hand. And be sure to visit the gift shop before you go. It’s a top attraction in the Phoenix area, and one that I recommend.

The Desert Botanical Garden is a great place to visit. I work at the Phoenix Zoo so its very conveniently located to my work. The staff at the Botanical Garden are very welcoming and knowledgeable. The wide variety of plants is incredible and the amount of share throughout the grounds kept me comfortable during my summer visit. There are plenty of water fountains and the restrooms are clean. The signage/graphics provide a lot of educational information. I visited for about 2 hours but will be returning as the weather gets a little cooler.

Desert Botanical Garden is a solid five star spot and one of the best places to get outside without hiking up a mountain or melting into the sidewalk. If you want to see what Arizona has to offer besides rocks and regret, this is the move. Cactus, flowers, trees that look like they belong on another planet, it is all here and looking majestic. It is a great place to just walk around for the day, take it slow, enjoy the scenery, and get your steps in while pretending you are doing something educational. The butterfly exhibit was a nice bonus and the staff running it was awesome. Super friendly, answered questions, and made it more fun than I expected. It is not very expensive either, which is rare for something this cool. You can spend an hour or three here and still feel like you got your money’s worth. Bring water, wear a hat, and act like you know what kind of cactus you are looking at. Solid day out, highly recommend.

Go early as it gets hot but they do have plenty of shade and water refill stations so bring a water bottle that can be easily refilled. Beautiful grounds and easily can be accessed. Each garden area is 1/10 to 1/3 mile path with about a total of 2 miles max to see all of the areas.

Highly recommend this botanical garden. The variety of cactus is one of the highlights and you can also get to see local unique birds! There are boards explaining the facts and stories you would want to know about the cactus, wonderful learning experience!The garden is very well maintained and bathrooms are clean.

so much fun!! what a beautiful location. everyone here was so friendly, especially at the butterfly pavilion. we loved our time here! highly recommend for anyone who loves exploring the native desert landscape- the walking paths are well maintained, and there is so much to see. the orchid exhibit was also sooo gorgeous, and the colors were fantastic. they offer some fun events and things here, so definitely do your research beforehand to make the most of your trip! we loved it and we hope to be back soon!!