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 THOMPSONARBORETUM

1-877-MYPARKS | azstateparks.com

Nearby Parks

Gardens

Hiking TrailsIf 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

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.

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.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park 37615 US Hwy 60, Superior, AZ 85173

(520) 689-2811 | 1-877-MYPARKSazstateparks.com/boyce-thompson

Established 1957

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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.

Things to Know: Park Guidelines

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Visitor Center& Gift Shop

Smith Interpretive Center& Display Greenhouses

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Sonoran Desert Exhibit

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Cactus &Succulents

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T o n t o N a t i o n a l F o r e s t

Old U.S. Route 60

To Superior5.7mi 9.2km

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Park Office

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CONTOUR INTERVAL 20 FEET

Trail Code Trail Name mi km

AT Adelaide Track 0.2 0.3BB Blue Bush Loop 0.1 0.2CD Chihuahuan Desert 0.4 0.6CU Curandero 0.2 0.3DG Demonstration Garden 0.5 0.8GB Gum Bark 0.1 0.2HI High 0.5 0.8MR Magma Ridge 0.2 0.3MA Main 0.8 1.2ST Steep (Use Caution) 0.4 0.6

WA Walkabout 0.1 0.2

Length One Way

J² Drinking Water

!h Gift Shop

!= Historic Building

!i Parking

!3 Pavilion

!5 Picnic Area

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!@ Ranger Station

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(A Hummingbird & Butterfly Garden

(B Heritage Rose Garden

(C Children's Horticultural Garden

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