Thank you for your interest in bringing a group to the Desert Botanical Garden. The Garden is pleased to make private group tours available for groups of 10 or more. This website is designed to assist in planning your visit. Please click here to download this information in PDF form.
The Desert Botanical Garden, located in beautiful Papago Park, is a wonderful way for you to experience the beauty of the desert without leaving Phoenix. We have the World’s largest collection of desert flora in an outdoor setting. There’s a charming outdoor café and a garden shop filled with uniquely Southwestern gifts and plants. Bring your group in for a relaxing educational guided or self-guided tour through the Garden trails. The Garden also features seasonal or customized tours and events designed with your group in mind, including Eco-Edutainment Programs with La Bella Terre. If you have special interests or ideas, just ask, and we will work to accommodate you!
Step 1: Learn about our offerings:
Looking for a creative and exciting activity or a transforming retreat?
The adult group tours department can help you arrange a delightful
group visit with:
Group Discounts
Private guided tours for:
- businesses and corporations
- families
- staff retreats
- church groups
- bridal showers
- baby showers
- out of town guests
- elderhostels
- senior centers, homes, and groups
- clubs and associations
- Red Hat Groups
Please click here to link to TOUR OPTIONS
If you are looking for a tour for a K-12 or college school group please follow this link.
The Desert Botanical Garden is proud to partner with Fabulous Food Catering to offer catered group breakfasts, preordered boxed lunches, and preordered picnic dinners to complete your group’s visit to the Garden. If you have dietary requests, just ask! Meal options
Step 2: Plan your tour
As you coordinate your group’s plans, please keep the following in mind:
When to book:
- A minimum of two week advance booking is recommended for all guided group tours
Self guided group visits can be arranged with as little as 24 hour notice, although advanced notice is preferred.
- A minimum of 5 business days advanced booking is recommended for group breakfast and boxed lunch orders; larger groups
or special requests may require more notice.
- Special events such as Las Noches de las Luminarias and our concert series have limited numbers of tickets available. Purchase your group discounted tickets early to avoid sell-outs.
How much time to allow for your visit:
- The Desert Botanical Garden features over 50 acres of landscaped displays.
- We recommend a minimum of 2-2.5 hours for your group to visit the Garden.
For tightly scheduled itineraries, you may be able to manage, at minimum, a 1.25 hour visit, consisting of a one hour guided tour and 15 minutes in the Garden Shop but the group will have no time to explore on its own.
A note about our seasonal butterfly exhibits:
Tickets to the Marshall Butterfly Pavilion are available to groups of 10 or more at a discounted rate of $2.00/per person. The pavilion is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Visiting in the afternoons is encouraged as it is less crowded. The Spring North American Butterfly Exhibit will open March 6, 2010 and close on May 9, 2010.
Step 3: Request a tour and confirm your visit
Click here if you are ready to fill out a Group Tour Request. You may also book a tour by phone:
480-481-8104 or email.
Step 4: Prepare for your visit
Please note the following:
- Tours are rain or shine! We do offer a small number of umbrellas for rent at admissions.
- Please wear comfortable shoes: many of the Garden’s paths are unpaved.
- Please wear hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
- Please bring and drink plenty of water. Water fountains are located throughout the Garden.
- Although we do not permit outside food or beverage on the Garden grounds, we offer dining at our Patio Café on Ullman Terrace and vending machines by Admissions.
- The Garden Shop hours are 9 a.m.-5p.m. daily.
Please feel free to contact the Garden, 480-481-8104 or ekoeckhoven@dbg.org with questions during any point of the process and we will be happy to assist you.
We look forward to your visit!
