Before You Visit
general admissions | free admission opportunities | wifi at the garden | tips for visiting
getting to the garden | inclement weather, pet & photography policy
Download a Garden Trail Guide.
When you visit the Desert Botanical Garden you will be given a Visitors Guide & Event Calendar that includes the Garden's trail map. The publication is produced for the Garden by ON Media Publications at no expense to the Garden. It is supported by the advertisers in the publication. We hope you will support the advertisers. Click here for more information about ON Media.
The Garden is open rain or shine, seven days a week, year round except for July 4, Thanksgiving Day and December 25.
Regular Hours
October - April: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. | 7 a.m. for members Wednesday & Sunday
May - September: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. | 6 a.m. for members Wednesday & Sunday
Early Closures
There are no scheduled early closures at this time.
General Admissions
Become a member today for unlimited annual admissions!
- Adults (Age 19-59): $18.00
- Seniors (Age 60+) $15.00
- Students (Age 12-18 and college students with ID) $10.00
- Children (Age 3-12) $8.00
- Members & Children under 3 Free
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Free Admission Opportunities
Garden admission is free the second Tuesday of every month, from 1-8 p.m.
You can also visit the Garden and other Valley arts and cultural attractions using the Culture Pass. For more details, click the logo below:
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Wi-Fi at the Garden
Free Wi-Fi is available in five locations within the Desert Botanical Garden:
• the area in front of Admissions
• Ottosen Entry Garden,
• Boppart Courtyard,
• the Center for Desert Living Trail, and
• Ullman Terrace.
Please look for the Wi-Fi signs. Click here to download the Garden's Wi-Fi Acceptable Use Policy.
The Garden’s Wi-Fi network is partially funded by a grant from the Arizona Community Foundation.
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Tips for Visiting
- Please keep in mind the high temperatures during the summer months. The Garden is an all outdoor experience and the coolest part of the day to visit is during the early morning hours. One of the unique aspects of our summer weather is that the hottest part of our day is generally between 2 - 5 p.m.
- Please wear comfortable shoes: many of the Garden’s paths are unpaved. Download a Garden Trail Guide.
- Please wear hats, sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Please bring and drink plenty of water. Water fountains are also located throughout the Garden.
- Although we do not permit outside food or beverage or picnicking on the Garden grounds, we offer dining at Gertrude's Restaurant and at the Patio Café on Ullman Terrace. NOTE: The Patio Cafe is closed for the summer and will re-open September 21, 2013.
- Vending machines are located near Admissions.
- The Garden Shop hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
- Strollers for children 2 years or older (single stroller general public $6 | member $5, double stroller general public $8 | member $7) , electric scooters (general public $25 | members $20), wheelchairs (free) and umbrellas ($2) are available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis.
- During our busy season, all electric scooters may be rented out during certain time-frames. Therefore, the Garden does not guarantee the availability of electric scooters.
- A security item (for example a drivers license or credit card) is required for all rentals, this includes wheelchairs.
- Disposable cameras, batteries and sunscreen can be purchased at the Garden Shop.
- The Garden is accessible to people with disabilities.
- The Garden is a non-smoking facility. Smoking is only allowed in the parking lot.
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Getting to the Garden
Public Transportation
- The City of Phoenix has a taxi program for people with disabilities. Learn more here.
- Desert Botanical Garden is accessible by the bus system. The Valley Metro bus stops at the intersection of McDowell Road and 64th Street. From the bus stop it is about a fifteen-minute walk to the Garden admissions area. Please look for the gate at the southeast corner of McDowell and 64th street and follow the path to admissions.
- For complete Valley Metro bus routes and times, visit www.valleymetro.org or call 602 253.5000.
GPS Coordinates
If using a Global Positioning System (GPS) device, the Garden's coordinates are:
- Degrees, Minutes: N 33 27.589 W 111 56.959
- Decimal: 33.45982,-111.94931
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Inclement Weather Policy
There are no general admission refunds due to inclement weather; however, the Garden reserves the right to close for safety during extreme weather conditions. If this occurs, the Garden will refund general admission fees to anyone already inside the Garden.
Individual ticketed events have their own rain policies and those will be displayed on specific event pages.
Call 480 941.1225 for more information.
Pet Policy
No pets, except for service animals, are allowed in the Garden. Download our Service Dogs Policy for more information. According to Arizona State Law, AZ ST 13-2910, it is a Class 1 Misdemeanor to endanger a pet by leaving it in a vehicle.
Photography Policy
The Garden encourages visitors to photograph or video tape the Garden for personal or educational purposes. Portrait shoots, such as family photography are permitted during the Garden’s general operating hours. No advance reservation is required. All members of the party, including the photographer and any assistants, must pay Garden admission fees. General admission fees must be paid despite the amount of time they will spend at the Garden. For groups of ten or more, please call 480 481.8104 for a discount.
Amateur photographers and visual artists may not use their representations of the Garden for any public purpose unless approved by the office of the Executive Director. Any questions about the definition of “public purpose” should be directed to the Director of Marketing at 480 481.8101.
