Boyce Thompson Arboretum

Boyce Thompson Arboretum is a breathtaking treasure that is sure to fascinate any visitor.

That is, any visitor old enough to appreciate its wonders.

Mia and I took the boys to the arboretum, located near Superior, for a hike around the trails. Simply put, the place is gorgeous and I highly recommend a trip.

This was our first visit, and we’re already planning to take out-of-town guests to the park. We’ll leave the kids with a sitter, though.

Being 6 and 3, they simply aren’t old enough to appreciate Eden when they see it. They couldn’t understand why we wouldn’t let them traipse through the plants or throw rocks.

And Tiger’s day was all but ruined when he picked the fruit off a prickly pear cactus and felt the sting of a hundred little needles in his hands.

I couldn’t help but wonder whether Adam and Eve had similar discipline problems with Cain and Abel when they were tots.

“Boys! Climb out of that tree NOW!”

Aside from that, the day was perfectly lovely. Paul Wolterbeek, who does publicity work and runs the volunteer program for Boyce Thompson Arboretum, graciously tour guided us around some of the main trail.

Walking under an overcast sky, we strolled with Wolterbeek from the Visitor Center along the main trail.

One of the first stops is the Hummingbird and Butterfly Garden, where, almost anytime of the year, flowering plants attract colorful winged creatures.

From there, the trail leads to the Heritage Rose Garden – a tranquil little stop with benches and a circular brick path. The nearby Smith Interpretive Center features a pair of greenhouses growing cacti and succulent plants.

Farther along, the trail reaches the three-acre Cactus Garden. If Cacti ever had a family reunion, this is what it would look like. It features species from all over the Western Hemisphere. Many side trails allow visitors to stroll among the plants.

Nearby is a Boojum Tree. This isn’t the most beautiful tree in the world (it resembles a telephone poll that needs a shave), but it might be the most unique plant in the park.

The trail next heads to Ayer Lake, a small man-made reservoir that holds the arboretum’s irrigation water. A ramada offers information about the birds you might spy and the creatures that live in the water. (Next time I dine at a Cajun restaurant, I’m ordering extra crayfish. Read the signs at Ayer Lake and you’ll find out why.)

Much of Boyce Thompson Arboretum is wheelchair accessible. Beyond the lake, though, the trail turns from stroll to hike. It also leads to one of the most impressive views there – Col. Boyce Thompson’s cliff-top mansion.

The founder of the arboretum had his “Picketpost House” (named for nearby Picketpost Mountain) built atop 200-foot cliffs that overlook the park.

The trail skirts the bottom of a magma ridge and Queen Creek. Along this point, visitors can stay on the main trail or head for higher grounds.

We took the high trail that climbs to about tree-top level. It offers a nice bird’s eye view of the arboretum. It offers a bit of exercise in what is an easy place to hike. Total distance is less than two miles, however many short side trails are available.

The Arboretum holds an impressive collection of some 3,200 different desert plants and has plenty of information about the various species. Other points of interest include the Eucalyptus Forest, Herb Garden, Desert Legume Garden and other stops.

To get there, take Highway 60 east until just past mile post 223. Entry is $7.50 for adults and $3 for kids 5 to 12.

For more information, call (520) 689-2811.

This hike was first featured September 2004 and revised February 2007.