Daily Tours, Experiences, & Eco-Stations

At Tohono Chul, we know that the best way to learn about the Sonoran Desert is to experience it firsthand. That’s why we offer daily tours of our garden which cover a wide range of topics. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, an art aficionado, or an aspiring botanist, there is a tour for everyone!

From wildflowers to reptiles, desert landscaping to weather patterns—we cover it all! A member of our trained docent team will lead you through the gardens and teach you everything you need to know about this unique ecosystem. Our daily tours are a great way to acquaint yourself with the grounds and take home some valuable information about the Sonoran desert.

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When available, all public tours are included in the price of admission, no reservations are necessary. For bus tours, corporate, or destination management companies please contact education@tohonochul.org.

Check out our events calendar for more fun things to do during your visit to Tohono Chul!

View Events Calendar

Featured Tours & Programs

Birds of Prey: Night & Day

October – April
2nd & 4th Wednesdays of Each Month
11 am – 1 pm
Children’s Ramada

Join naturalist and wildlife rehabilitator Kathie Schroeder as she introduces us to her avian friends Fargo, the American Kestrel, Zuul the Peregrine Falcon, and Banshee, the Barn Owl. Discover the different habits of birds of prey who hunt by night or by day, and get to know a collection of the most unflappable birds in town.

Walk in the Gardens

October – April
Daily | 10 am
Monday – Saturday | 12 pm | 2 pm

May – September
Daily | 10 am

Experience Tohono Chul while learning some of the basics of the ecology of the Sonoran Desert. Join us for a Walk in the Gardens and get an intimate look at the plants and animals that call Tohono Chul home. During this guided tour, you’ll hear about desert wildlife and learn how to identify some of our most common plants as we take a stroll through the beautiful grounds. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about what makes Tohono Chul such a special place!

Birds of Tohono Chul

Mondays | Wednesdays | Thursdays | Fridays | Saturdays
8:30 am

It’s time to get your birding on! On this tour, you’ll learn how to identify resident birds and those just passing through. You’ll also learn where they like to hang out and what their habits are, so you can be ready to spot them in their natural habitat.

View the Tohono Chul bird guide here.

Butterflies & Their Plants

Saturdays & Sundays at 11 am

Explore the seasonal world of butterflies and discover the plants favored by caterpillars and adults! This tour through the gardens provides a unique opportunity to observe these colorful creatures up close and personal in a natural environment—that is, if you know which plants caterpillars prefer and what flowers adult butterflies love!

View the Butterfly ID Guide here.

Desert Landscaping

Saturdays at 9 am

Get the scoop on how to use native and arid-adapted plants and tips for implementing water-saving landscapes. Unearth the best practices for creating a drought-resistant yard that’s both beautiful and functional.

Reptile Ramble

March – May
Fridays | 10 am | Overlook

September – October
Fridays | 10 am | Overlook

Learn to identify resident reptiles and find the answer to the age-old question, “Why do lizards do push-ups?” Be prepared to meet a few non-venomous snakes, perhaps a lizard or even a tortoise.

Weekly Tours & Programs

MONDAYS

TOUR | Birds of Tohono Chul
Year-round: 8:30 am

ECO STATION | Winged Things | Overlook
May – September: 9 am to 11 am
October – April: 11 am to 1 pm