More than meets the eye: The Desert Botanical Garden delights

Explore the five major trails

Desert Discovery Loop Trail

Start your visit on the Desert Discovery Loop Trail, just off the Ottosen Entry Garden. Palo Verde trees, along with a mix of cacti and succulents from around the world, line the loop. Don’t miss the Kitchell Family Heritage Garden, which showcases the plants found in Baja California. From the Desert Discovery Loop Trail, visitors can branch off to all but the Desert Wildflower Loop Trail.

Plants & People of the Sonoran Desert Loop Trail

Learn how plants have been used for food, medicine and building materials, in addition to seeing examples of Tohono O’odham, Western Apache and Hispanic households.

Desert Wildflower Loop Trail

During the spring, yellow, orange, pink, and purple blossoms color the 0.3-mile loop. Take this loop to visit the Butterfly Pavilion. If you come late in the day, stay until after dark to see night-blooming flowers and dramatically lit cacti.

Sonoran Desert Nature Loop Trail

This trail offers incredible views of Phoenix and the surrounding mountains.

Center for Desert Living Trail

This trail explores sustainability.

Visit the Butterfly Pavilion

Open for several weeks in the fall and spring, the Butterfly Pavilion contains hundreds of butterflies, including Monarchs, that live in the Southwest. The 3,200 square foot open-air structure, features lush garden plantings, a water feature, engaging programming and state-of-the-art nursery space. Visitors can learn about the pollinators and pose for pictures in the pavilion as butterflies flutter around them. Entry to the Butterfly Pavilion is included with general admission.

Save the date

Special events draw thousands of people to the garden year-round. Be on the lookout for concerts as well as seasonal events like Boo-Tanical Nights and Agave on the Rocks. Dog Days at the Garden welcomes visitors to bring their four-legged best friend for an early walk through the garden, while Las Noches de las Luminarias invites the whole family to enjoy holiday-themed activities as they stroll trails lit by 8,000 luminarias.

Music in the Garden

May 5 | Bluesman Mike & The Blues Review Band | Blues

May 12 | R. Carlos Nakai, William Eaton and Will Clipman | Visionary world music

May 19 | The Sahnas Brothers | Contemporary and Spanish guitar quartet

May 26 | Pete Pancrazi Quartet | Jazz arrangements of pop songs and special musical guests

Dine at Gertrude's

This award-winning restaurant serves up New American fare every day of the week. With a seasonal menu focusing on locally sourced ingredients, expect entrées like green chili cheeseburgers, duck enchiladas and lamb curry. Come for brunch, lunch, dinner—or enjoy the scenery with a cocktail.

Webster’s Hedgehog cactus was named after Desert

Botanical Garden founder

Illinois-born Gertrude Webster had a winter home in Phoenix she built in the 1920s. By the early 30s, Webster met Cactus and Native Flora Society founder Gustaf Starck, seeking his advice after purchasing some rare cactus. Starck had a goal to establish a botanical garden dedicated to plants of the desert. The two quickly teamed up to raise money—some of which was donated by Webster —and awareness to create what is now known as Desert Botanical Garden. Webster oversaw the Garden’s opening in 1939 and also hired its first executive director George Lindsay. Lindsay discovered Echinocereus websterianus in the late 40s, and named it in honor of Webster.