Daily Tours
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
Discovering Tohono Chul
Daily
September – May | 9 am & 10 am
Free with Admission | Meet at Entrance
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.
Poetry & Plant Walk
Saturdays
September – October | 8:30 AM
November – March | 9:30 AM
April – May | 8:30 AM
Free with Admission | Meet at Entrance
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.
Reptile Ramble with the Tucson Herpetological Society
1st & 3rd Fridays | 9 – 11 am
March – May
September – November
Free with Admission | Children’s Ramada
Get up close and personal with the Sonoran Desert’s scaled and slithery creatures from snakes and lizards to tortoises and turtles.
Birds of Prey: Night & Day
2nd & 4th Wednesdays | 11 AM – 1 PM
Oct – Dec
February – March
Free with Admission | Children’s Ramada
Discover the different habits of birds of prey that hunt by night or by day, and get to know a collection of the most unflappable birds in town!
Nature Journaling
Thursdays | 8 AM
September – May
Free with Admission | Meet at Entrance
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
Second Fridays | 8 – 9:30 am
September – May
Join Tucson Bird Alliance for a guided birding walk through Tohono Chul to discover the diverse birds of the Sonoran Desert and its surrounding habitats. Explore the gardens and winding trails while learning about the many species that call this region home.
Eco-Stations
Stop by our rotating Eco-Stations for a closer look at the plants, animals, geology, and natural history of the Sonoran Desert. These informal, hands-on learning experiences offer something new to explore throughout the week, with a different theme featured each day.
*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: