Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is the place to discover the intricate beauty and many faces of Arizona. Encompassing 323 acres, the Arboretum is 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.
Brochure and Map of Arizona State Parks and Trails. Published by Arizona State Parks & Trails.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum SP
https://azstateparks.com/boyce-thompson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyce_Thompson_Arboretum_State_Park
Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is the place to discover the intricate beauty and many faces of Arizona. Encompassing 323 acres, the Arboretum is 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.
Nearby Parks
Hiking Trails
Things to Know: Park Guidelines
If you’re having a great time here, don’t forget to
visit one of the two nearby state parks in the area!
McFarland State Historic Park (27 miles) Named
after Governor Ernest W. McFarland, who signed
the bill to form Arizona State Parks & Trails, the
building has served as the county courthouse,
sheriff’s office, and jail until converting to a county
hospital. (520) 868-5216
Lost Dutchman State Park (32 miles) Named
after the southwestern legend, Lost Dutchman
State Park sits near the base of the Superstition
Mountains. In addition to excellent desert
camping and RV opportunities, the park also
offers numerous hiking trails, including the
trailhead to the infamous Flatiron Trail into the
Superstitions. (480) 982-4485
Adelaide Track: A 0.2-mile path through the
Australian Desert Garden.
Blue Bush Loop Trail: A 0.1-mile path that creates
a larger loop with the Adelaide Track, the Gum
Bank Trail, the Main Loop Trail, and the Magma
Ridge Trail, depending on the path taken.
Chihuahuan Desert Trail: A 0.27-mile trail of
plants from every part of the Chihuahuan Desert.
Curandero Trail: A 0.3-mile trail that exhibits
native medicinal and edible plants.
Gum Bark Trail: A 0.1-mile trail that loops at its
connections to the Main Trail.
High Trail: A rugged 0.45-mile trail that goes
through the Upper Sonoran Natural Area, giving
hiker’s a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding area.
Main Loop Trail: A 1.5-mile loop that begins at
the Visitor Center and connects to the Steep Trail
before returning to the Main Trail. The trail has
numerous offshoot trails for visitors to enjoy. Give
yourself at least two hours for the full tour.
Magma Ridge Trail: A 0.2-mile trail through
the volcanic cliffs leading through the Cactus
Garden.
Walkabout Trail: A 0.1-mile path through the
Australian Desert Garden.
While visiting the park, please help us protect this
special space for your future enjoyment.
General Information
• Please practice “Leave No Trace” and leave
all flowers, fruits, and plant parts.
• For everyone’s safety, please drive your
vehicle only on paved surfaces and stay on
designated trails.
• For your safety, please don’t use glass
containers in the park.
• All of our parks adhere to firearm and hunting
regulations. Please familiarize yourself with
this information.
Pets
• For the enjoyment of your visit and the
consideration of our other guests, we ask
that you keep your pet on a maximum six-foot
leash at all times.
• For additional information related to pets, we
encourage you to visit our website or ask park
staff.
Arboretum Rules
• To best preserve the delicacy of our collection,
we ask that adults please supervise children
at all times.
• Smoking is allowed in the Main Parking Lot.
We hope you have an enjoyable and safe
experience in our parks! All guidelines for
this park can be viewed on our website at
azstateparks.com.
Established 1957
BOYCE THOMPSON
ARBORETUM
Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is the
place to discover the intricate beauty and many
faces of Arizona. Encompassing 323 acres,
the Arboretum is Arizona’s oldest and largest
botanical garden. Featured are plants from the
world’s deserts, towering trees, captivating
cacti, sheet 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.
Thank you for visiting!
Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
37615 US Hwy 60, Superior, AZ 85173
(520) 689-2811 | 1-877-MYPARKS
azstateparks.com/boyce-thompson
AZStateParks
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1-877-MYPARKS | azstateparks.com
Gardens
Australian Desert Garden: A shaded collection
of plants from “The Land Down Under.”
Cactus & Succulent Garden: 300 species of cacti
and succulents call our Cactus Garden home.
Children’s Horticultural Garden: Get lost in the
maze, dig for buried treasure, and enjoy the sites,
sounds, and smells. Wheelchair accessible.
Demonstration Garden: Get inspiration for your
home landscape. Wheelchair accessible.
Heritage Rose Garden: Home to a large, fragrant
selection of Antique or Old Garden roses.
Hummingbird and Butterfly Garden: A special
collection of flowering nectared plants for our
gentle-winged visitors. Wheelchair accessible.
Taylor Family Desert Legume Garden: A
showcase for some of the many members of the
pea family of plants.
Trail Code
To n t o
Na t io na l
25
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To Superior
5.7mi
9.2km
Park
Entrance
Exit
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60
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