The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one place. The Museum offers interpretive displays of living animals and plants native to the Sonoran Desert -- alive and in their natural desert settings. There are almost two miles of paths traversing 21 acres of beautiful desert.
The region interpreted by the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum consists of the Sonoran Desert itself and the included and adjacent habitats that influence its ecology and climate. More specifically, it includes:
- Southern Arizona north to the Grand Canyon and Mogollon Rim
- The southeastern corner of California (roughly south of a line drawn from Needles to Palm Springs to San Diego)
- The state of Sonora, Mexico
- The Baja California peninsula of Mexico
- The Gulf of California and its islands
The Museum grounds include almost two miles of paths on 21 acres! Like many other zoos and museums, it is not always possible to see everything in one visit. If your time is limited, you might consider choosing exhibits and events from the grounds map and visiting at your own pace.
The Museum is primarily a walking experience. Plan to wear comfortable shoes, a hat and sunscreen, or appropriate colder weather dress. Drinking fountains, shade ramadas, benches and restrooms are scattered throughout the grounds. Wheelchairs and strollers are available free of charge on a first come first served basis. All exhibits may be reached by wheelchair.
Museum Exhibits
Reptiles & Invertebrates
Where else can you get this close to a western diamondback rattlesnake? At the very least, check out the Arizona wildflower models - they're stunning!
Cave & Minerals
A limestone cave, complete with stalagmites, stalactites, ponds and salamanders, this exhibit explains the formation of caves and of the earth itself. Also discover one of the finest and most beautiful collections of regional minerals and gemstones anywhere
Mountain Woodland
Ever get close enough to a mountain lion to count the whiskers on its muzzle? You often can in this exhibit -- check out the viewing window just as you're entering this area. The animals and the plants here represent those found in elevations between 4000 and 7000 feet (1200 - 2150 meters).
Desert Grassland
Discover why the grasslands are so important to life in the Sonoran Desert. And don't miss the prairie dogs. Their antics delight all ages.
Cat Canyon
See the region's beautiful felines from unique vantage points both above and below the exhibit. Our male coati resides here temporarily. This anteater-like mammal is not a cat but a relative of the raccoon.
Arizona Upland
Aside from a chance to spot javelinas in a very "wild" setting, the area offers magnificent views of Avra Valley and the chance to see how Desert Museum exhibits are constructed.
Riparian Corridor
Riparian means situated on the bank of a river. Yes, in the Sonoran Desert there are places where water flows freely, supporting an amazing abundance of wildlife.
Bighorn Sheep
This exhibit lets you see these large creatures in a naturalistic environment, dancing along the rock ledges. Look too for other exhibit residents: rock squirrels and spiny-tailed iguanas.
Walk-in Aviary
Cardinals, Gambel's quail, ducks, doves, and many other native birds all live together in this avian sanctuary.
Desert Garden
Do you think that desert-native plants are dull and drab, or that a scarcity of water means bare leaves and stems? Come see this oasis of greenery and color. During certain seasons, the gardens here may attract hundreds of butterflies.
Hummingbird Aviary
This world-famous exhibit lets you walk freely among seven species of native hummingbirds. These harmless hoverers may whisk past your head or snatch a thread from your sweater to help build a nest. You'll See: twenty-two hummingbirds and approximately 110 plant species.
Cactus Garden
Over 140 species of cactus and other Sonoran Desert plants are propagated in this landscaped setting.
Endangered Animals
Threatened and endangered species are on exhibit at the Desert Museum. Animals include: Mexican wolf, thick-billed parrot, ocelot, margay, jaguarundi, desert pupfish, Sonora chub, bonytail chub, razorback sucker, Gila topminnow, Colorado River squawfish, Isla San Esteban chuckwalla and Apache trout.
Additional Facilities
The Museum has two restaurants on the grounds.
The Ironwood Terraces, a self serve grill, offers a complete menu including children's items and is open everyday.
The Ocotillo Cafe is open from the end of December through May, and on Saturday nights June through October. It is a fine dining venue with a Southwestern flair.
Phoebes Coffee Bar and the Cottonwood snack shop offer hot and cold drinks, pastries, ice cream and other snacks. Although picnicking is not allowed on Museum grounds, Tucson Mountain Park has picnic grounds within a mile of the Museum entrance.
Two gift shops offer an excellent inventory of native products, jewelry, shirts and hats, pottery, children's items, books, gems and minerals, and other southwest merchandise. The Museum Gallery offers art from its changing exhibit for sale.
Note: Pets are not allowed on the Museum grounds, and the Museum does not have any facilities for pets. Service animals are the only animals permitted on the Museum grounds.
Location
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Mseum is 12 miles west of Tucson on Kinney Road, adjoining Saguaro National Park.
Seasons & Hours
Hours
The Museum is open every day of the year (including all holidays):
October through February: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
March through September: 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
Admission
Museum Members.............Free Admission
Adults (age 13 & older).....$12.00 ($9.00 May through October)
Children (ages 6-12)...........$4.00 ($2.00 May through October)
Children (under 5)..............Free Admission
Group rates are available for commercial tour groups of any size. In addition, group rates are offered to private groups of 10 or larger. School group visits and private groups are scheduled through the education department by calling 520-883-2702. Commercial groups are scheduled through guest services by calling 520-883-1380.
Events calendar
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is located at
2021 N. Kinney Road
Tucson, AZ 85743-8918
Tel: 520-883-1380
Web Site: http://www.desertmuseum.org/index.html
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