Plan Your Visit
Your Desert Corner
Tohono Chul is a 49-acre botanical garden, arboretum, and nature preserve in Tucson, AZ, celebrating the art, culture, and natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Stroll scenic paths through native plants and wildlife, explore art galleries and local shops, and enjoy year-round programs, tours, classes, and special events for all ages.
Summer Admission
May 25 – September 7, 2026
- Members: Free
- General: $15
- Senior (62+): $13
- Military: Free
- Youth (2-17): $8
- Children (under 2): Free
Summer Hours
May 25 – September 7, 2026
- Tohono Chul grounds: 7 am – 2 pm | Daily
- Exhibit House Galleries: 8 am – 2 pm | Daily
- Desert Corner Nursery: 8 am – 2 pm | Daily
- La Fuente Shop & La Galeria Shop: 8 am – 2 pm | Daily
- Children’s Museum Oro Valley at Tohono Chul: 9 am – 12:30 pm | Tuesday – Sunday
- Administrative Offices: 9 am – 5 pm | Monday – Friday
- Garden Bistro: 8 am – 2 pm | Daily
- Holiday Hours & Closures: Tohono Chul, the Garden Bistro, and Children’s Museum Oro Valley are closed on New Year’s Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, & Christmas.
- Christmas Eve: 8 am – 3 pm
- New Year’s Eve: 8 am – 3 pm
Location
Admission-Free Daily Offerings
Access to the Garden Bistro, La Fuente Museum Shop, and the Desert Corner Nursery is always free and does not require garden admission.

Special Discounts & Programs
- American Horticultural Society | Members of participating gardens may receive reciprocal admission through the Reciprocal Garden Network. Click here to view participating gardens.
- Museums for All | $3 admission per person for up to four people with a valid SNAP or WIC card and ID, through the Museums for All program. Learn more.
- Blue Star Museums | Free admission for active-duty military and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day, as part of the Blue Star Museums program. Learn more.
- Culture Pass | Free admission through Act One’s Culture Pass program, available at participating libraries statewide. Check out a pass at your local library. Learn more.
Hours
- Tohono Chul grounds: 8 am – 5 pm | Daily
- Exhibit House Galleries: 9 am – 5 pm | Daily
- Desert Corner Nursery: 9 am – 5 pm | Daily
- La Fuente Shop & La Galeria Shop: 9 am – 5 pm | Daily
- Children’s Museum Oro Valley at Tohono Chul: 9 am – 12:30 pm | Tuesday – Sunday
- Administrative Offices: 9 am – 5 pm | Monday – Friday
- Garden Bistro: 8 am – 4 pm | Daily
- Holiday Closures: Tohono Chul, the Garden Bistro, and Children’s Museum Oro Valley are closed on New Year’s Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, & Christmas
- Christmas Eve: 8 am – 3 pm
- Christmas Day: Closed
- New Year’s Eve: 8 am – 3 pm
- New Year’s Day: Closed

Things to Know
Accessibility
Tohono Chul is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming experience for all visitors. Our grounds, buildings, and most garden pathways are accessible, and we are continually working to improve accessibility throughout our gardens and facilities through enhanced paved pathways, entrances, and site improvements.
Accessible parking is available in both public parking lots, and complimentary wheelchairs may be checked out at Admissions on a first-come, first-served basis.
For additional accessibility information or assistance planning your visit, please contact our Admissions Office at (520) 742-6455 ext. 240.
Learn more about accessibility at Tohono Chul with Tucson Access Trails, a non-profit organization that reviews recreational trails in the Tucson region from the perspective of users with various disabilities or ability levels.

Parking
On-site parking is free and available just inside the entrance on Paseo del Norte, including designated accessible parking spaces. Our parking lot includes an EV charging station provided in partnership with Tucson Electric Power. Parking for motor homes and buses is available along the exit drive.
If you are attending an event at the Education Center, additional parking is available in the adjacent lot off Northern Avenue (accessed from Ina Road). For select special events, overflow parking may also be available at nearby businesses, with signage and staff on-site to assist.

safety tips & helpful info
Here are a few helpful tips and guidelines to help make the most of your visit while keeping Tohono Chul safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Beat the Heat
- Stay hydrated. Bring a refillable water bottle and drink plenty of water throughout your visit.
- Visit during early morning hours or later in the day when temperatures are cooler.
- Seek shade and take breaks, especially during midday heat.
- Wear sun protection including a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
- Dress in lightweight, light-colored, breathable clothing.
Respect Wildlife & Plants
- Observe wildlife from a safe distance—do not touch, feed, chase, or disturb animals.
- Do not yell, tap on exhibits, or throw objects. Please alert staff if you see a potentially dangerous animal.
- Help protect the gardens by not picking plants or flowers. If a plant catches your eye, visit the Desert Corner Nursery to see if it’s available for purchase!
Service Animal Policy
- For the safety of everyone, only service animals as defined by the ADA are welcome throughout Tohono Chul, including the Garden Bistro and all park-wide events. Pets, therapy animals, and emotional support animals are not permitted.
Stay on Path & Be Prepared
- Remain on designated paths and avoid staff-only or restricted areas.
- Wear closed-toe shoes and sun protection, and bring a water bottle—refill stations are available throughout the garden.
- Check the weather before your visit and seek shade or shelter as needed.
Food, Trash & Smoking
- Outside food and drinks are allowed in the main park areas, with picnic tables available throughout the grounds. Outside alcohol is not permitted.
- Outside food and drinks are not permitted during special events or in the Garden Bistro.
- Please clean up after yourself and dispose of trash and recycling properly.
- Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the grounds.
Courtesy & Conduct
- Keep noise levels low to preserve a peaceful garden environment for all guests.
- Photography is welcome, but please avoid flash, drones, or large equipment that could disturb plants, wildlife, or other guests. Please contact us with any questions about location shooting.
- Drones and other flying devices are not permitted without approval.
- Tohono Chul is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment for all visitors. Guests may be asked to leave if they engage in threatening, harassing, or disruptive behavior, or display clothing, signs, or materials that reasonably promote violence, threaten others, or create an unsafe environment.
Children & Family Visits
- Children must be supervised at all times and accompanied by an adult or guardian.
- Please do not leave children unattended during family events or with Children’s Museum Oro Valley staff.
Safety & Security
- Firearms and other weapons are not permitted on Tohono Chul grounds.
- During special events or programs, please follow any guidelines provided by staff.
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Tohono Chul is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items. Please lock your car and keep valuables secured.