Desert Botanical Garden - Phoenix, Arizona

Rosalinde W.

The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix is an absolute must if you’re not from the area. It is the most well-designed garden I’ve ever been to, incorporating natural shade elements & water sources seamlessly into its many paths.

I’m from the PNW and at the time of my visit had a herniated disc. I was worried about the sun & terrain, but it is very walkable & there are places to sit down at regular intervals. I was not in a wheelchair at the time, but I do use one sometimes, and I can confidently say that it would’ve been doable even if I was bound to one.

I didn’t have much time nor the health for a proper hike, but I desperately wanted to see the local flora & fauna on our trip down to AZ. The Desert Botanical Garden more than scratched that itch—if you haven’t been to the Southwest before I must sincerely urge that you visit. It is beautiful & moving to know that even in an environment that seems so inhospitable, nature and all of its beauty can still thrive. There are also many metallic sculptures scattered throughout which complement the landscape beautifully, seemingly as if they organically grew there. It’s truly rare to see art & nature blend so homogeneously in a way that is unfair to neither.

We spent 2-3hr in the garden, but unfortunately did not have time to see the whole thing, so we will surely return. If you’re going as adults, I would say to budget 3-4hr for your visit. Kids may not last as long, but I’m sure they’d enjoy seeing so many fascinating plants, many of which are much, much bigger than them!

The woman who rang us up in the gift shop was a transplant from New York, which I found quite surprising, but after spending an afternoon in the garden & reflecting on the experience, I completely understand the magical pull of the desert. I can’t wait to go back!

Alan Bryant

MUST SEE! This is a true delight. Such an incredible variety of desert flora and some occasional fauna.

A little pricey, but well worth the price.

Lots of drinking water fountains throughout (ice cold water) so easy to stay hydrated. Plenty of FREE parking.

shannon wikle

Lovely place. Perfect for families, couples or a place to stroll by yourself. Give yourself about 1.5+ hours to explore all of has to offer. The scenery, details to each seating area, beautifully placed plants and such is just wonderful. The garden is a must-see place if you're in the area!

Cost is about $30/person. With the walk around to explore the collections of different plant species found in Arizona.

We remarked on how schools probably have educational field trips and senior citizens should come and spend afternoons here. Couples should go on a date here. It's really peaceful and enjoyable for everyone.

Visit the gift shop on the way out.

Wren Taylor

Visited as night fell and enjoyed wandering the grounds looking at the art pieces currently on display and the many varieties of outdoor plants native to various regions of Arizona. This was a very large outdoor garden with well designed paths and educational signs. At least two different paths were blocked off for private events, but I suspect more would be visible during the day. I appreciated that the garden was open late because it was cooler at night. One of their desert gardens in particular had signage that it can get to over 120°F during the day, so come prepared with water and appropriate clothing for the heat that may be warmer than the ambient temperature in Phoenix.

At night they had enough light to navigate and see most of the exhibited flora, though night mode photography was required to see details of the plants not directly in a spotlight. There appeared to be plenty of parking and there was no wait at all, though we arrived at a time that was not busy.

They have a very nice restaurant on site and a gift shop; both close at the same time as the park itself. The salmon was delicious, and the mixed drinks were strong.

Mychael Parker

Wandering through the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix was like stepping into a secret, serene world. It's hard to believe such a tranquil oasis exists in the heart of a bustling city. From the moment I stepped through the gates, I was mesmerized by the vibrant hues of the desert flora and the intricate patterns of the cacti. Even though we arrived early, the desert sun began to heat up as the morning wore on, so I'd recommend coming even earlier to fully enjoy the experience.

The well-marked trails guided us through a variety of landscapes, from towering saguaros to lush oases. There were plenty of shaded spots to rest and appreciate nature's artistry. The combination of natural beauty and thought-provoking art installations made for a truly unforgettable experience. If you're looking to escape the city's hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in the wonders of the desert, the Desert Botanical Garden is a must-visit.

Kelsi Singer

Nice place to take a kind of easy "hike" in a curated garden with many nice cacti specimens. Nice signage and things to learn about. Fun shop for souvenirs or presents. Didn't eat at the cafe but it looked nice. If you have a reciprocal membership with another garden they were very welcoming.

We had the Missouri botanical gardens "friends and family" membership and they said that was good for 2 at this garden, we just showed them our digital membership card and no other questions asked :).

Holly Shryock

What a wonderful, peaceful treasure in the middle of Phoenix! My family spent the better part of an afternoon wandering through the Desert Botanical Garden. Very well maintained with a huge variety of desert plants. Most of the plants had small signs posted near them that gave details about each one. There was even a butterfly garden. The staff was friendly and helpful, the bathrooms were clean, and there were water fountains throughout. Most of the paths were shady which made the visit more enjoyable in the desert heat. We will visit here again.

Sherry Carter

We saw the gardens both during the day and night. It was so beautiful and amazing. There are lots of shaded areas which was nice as it was 100 degrees the day we went. They also have a restaurant and a small cafe on site. I definitely recommend seeing it both day and night as it gives a different perspective. There's an amazing butterfly area as well.