Daily Tours, Programs & Eco-Stations
One of the best ways to learn about the Sonoran Desert is to experience it firsthand. That’s why we offer daily tours covering a wide range of topics. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, an art aficionado, or an aspiring botanist, our daily tours are a great way to deepen your knowledge about the cultural and natural ecology of our amazing desert region!
Featured Tours & Programs
NEW TOUR!
Discovering Tohono Chul
Daily
September – May | 9 am + 10 am
June – August | 8 am + 9 am
Free with Admission
Discover more about the plants and animals that make this region one of the most biodiverse desert ecosystems on Earth, while gaining a deeper appreciation for the cultural and natural ecology of Tohono Chul.
Reptile Ramble with the Tucson Herpetological Society
March – May
1st & 3rd Fridays | 9 – 11 am
Free with Admission
Step into the fascinating world of the Sonoran Desert’s scaled and slithery residents at Reptile Ramble! In partnership with the Tucson Herpetological Society, this hands-on experience invites you to get up close with snakes, lizards, tortoises, and turtles while learning how these remarkable creatures survive and thrive in our desert home.
Birds of Prey: Night & Day
February – April
2nd & 4th Wednesdays | 11 AM – 1 PM
Free with Admission
Discover the importance of birds of prey in the Sonoran Desert with an engaging live presentation from the Arizona Raptor Center, a nonprofit dedicated to science-based education, wildlife conservation, and the rescue and rehabilitation of raptors.
Poetry & Plant Walk
September – May
Saturdays | 9:30 am
Free with Admission
Experience the beauty of the Sonoran Desert on a guided walk blending the words of poets with the voices of our experienced docents, celebrating the remarkable plants that define this vibrant ecosystem. The walk begins in the main gardens before venturing off the paved paths and onto the Desert View Trail.
Nature Journaling
September – May
Thursdays | 8 am
Join the Southern Arizona Nature Journal Club at Tohono Chul to sketch, observe, and spend time with fellow nature enthusiasts.
Bird Walks with Tucson Bird Alliance
September – May
Second Fridays | 8 am
Watch the Cactus Wren, flit from cactus to tree. Enjoy our two year-round resident hummingbird species, Anna’s and Costa’s, as they dart about, feeding among the colorful flowers. Let your attention drift upward for a glimpse at the majestic Cooper’s Hawks.
Advanced sign-up is required, and spaces are limited. Register on the Tucson Bird Alliance website.
Daily Tours
*subject to volunteer availability
Discovering Tohono Chul | Daily
Learn more about some of the plants and animals that make this region one of the most biodiverse desert ecosystems on Earth, while gaining a deeper appreciation for the cultural and natural ecology of Tohono Chul.
September – May | 9 am + 10 am
June – August | 8 am + 9 am
Gallery Buzz | Tuesdays + Thursdays
Check out our latest art and cultural exhibits.
September – May | 11 am
June – August | Summer Vacation
Connecting Plants & People | Fridays
Discover the edible and useful plants of the Sonoran Desert.
September – May | 10:30 am
June – August | 8:30 am
Poetry & Plant Walk | Saturdays
Celebrate the Sonoran Desert through the words of poets and naturalists.
September – May | 9:30 am
June – August | Summer Vacation
Special Programs
*subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions
Reptile Ramble | Fridays
Get up close and personal with the Sonoran Desert’s scaled and slithery creatures from snakes and lizards to tortoises and turtles.
September – November | 10 am – 11 am
March – May | 10 am – 11 am
Birds of Prey | 2nd + 4th Wednesdays
Discover the importance of birds of prey in the Sonoran Desert with an engaging live presentation from the Arizona Raptor Center, a nonprofit dedicated to science-based education, wildlife conservation, and the rescue and rehabilitation of raptors. Join expert falconers and wildlife educators as they introduce you to a rotating cast of birds including hawks, owls, and falcons – that play a vital role in our desert ecosystem. Through up-close encounters with live ambassador birds, you’ll learn about biology, natural history, and the adaptations that make these apex predators such powerful and fascinating members of the landscape.
October – December | 11 am – 1 pm
February – April | 11 am – 1 pm
Bird Walks with Tucson Bird Alliance | Second Fridays
Enjoy many of the typical birds of the Sonoran Desert and its suburban habitats. Watch the Cactus Wren, flit from cactus to tree. Enjoy our two year-round resident hummingbird species, Anna’s and Costa’s, as they dart about, feeding among the colorful flowers. Let your attention drift upward for a glimpse at our majestic Cooper’s Hawks.
Advanced sign-up is required, and spaces are limited. Register on the Tucson Bird Alliance website.
September – May | 8 am – 9:30 am
Eco-Stations
*subject to volunteer availability
September – May | 9am – 11am
June – August | 8am – 10am
Ocean to Desert | Tuesdays
Explore the intertidal zones of the Gulf of California and witness how the desert changes as you travel inland.
Rocks and Ruins | Wednesdays
Discover the geology and archaeology of the Tucson Basin.
Desert Chow | Thursdays
Follow the predator/prey chain and explore a tangled food web.
Creepy Crawlies | Fridays
Sometimes scary, but always cool! Spiders, scorpions, snakes, and lizards.
Plants and People | Saturdays
Living side by side for millennia, plant use has shaped people along the way.
Winged Things | Sundays
From birds to butterflies, a look at the winged things of the skies.
All Tours, Special Programs, and Eco-Stations are subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions. Included with admission. For more information about upcoming events at Tohono Chul: