Tucson has more museums than one might imagine. One of the more interesting outdoor examples is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. The museum is located 15 miles west of Tucson via Gates Pass through Tucson Mountain Park, adjacent to Saguaro National Park. It’s kind of a cross between botanical garden, modern zoo and hiking trail. A non-profit organization, their mission is “to inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world by fostering love, appreciation, and understanding of the Sonoran Desert.”  They succeed in doing so quite well.

Wildlife of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

All of the habitats, especially on the outer, unpaved trail, seemed very natural and open. Some were designed with invisi-wire that makes it feel like you’re walking right next to the animals. Around one corner a coyote was lying under a tree yawning right in front of us. Further along, wolves jogged around in circles waiting for lunch. Javelinas (collared peccary, kind of like a lean, wild pig) nosed around the shrubbery and gathered under a stone bridge where there was shade and a bit of water. Other areas include Cat Canyon, where you can see bobcats, a porcupine, a grey fox, and an ocelot in natural settings; and Mountain Woodland, a Mexican Pine-Oak woodland habitat featuring a mountain lion, white-tailed deer, Mexican gray wolves, thick-billed parrots, an American kestrel, and a Black Bear.

Educational Programs

There were many other examples of indigenous plants and animals, and docents were posted here and there providing more specific information and giving presentations. We learned some interesting facts about the agave cactus, and sat in on an hour-long presentation by herpetologists at the Warden Oasis Theater about venomous snakes and lizards of the southwest desert. The Gila monster looked lovely in salmon and black until she pooped on the demonstration table, and the rattlesnakes didn’t stop rattling the whole time.

Hours and Rates

(As of November, 2013)

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is open daily:

October – February: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (no entry after 4:15 p.m.)

March – September: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (no entry after 4:15 p.m.)

June, July, August: Sunday – Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. / Saturdays – 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Admission: