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Biosphere 2 – Desert - Flickr - treegrow (1)📷 Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA, CC BY 2.0

Biosphere 2

Oracle, AZ

Oddities

A sealed glass research complex built around 1990 to test closed ecosystems, now run by the University of Arizona. Visits take you past the rainforest, ocean and desert biomes; allow about two hours.

Nearest town
Oracle, AZ
Category
Roadside oddities
GPS
32.5783, -110.8512

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually November–April. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. Hot in May–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Featured in these trip guides

Tucson and Mount Lemmon: from saguaros to pine forest – Picacho Peak 2 (4510568953)© Alan Stark from Goodyear, AZ, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0
10
Things to do in…

Tucson and Mount Lemmon: from saguaros to pine forest

198 mi9 stops3 days

Nearby

Nature

Catalina State Park

Oro Valley, AZ
Windy Point Vista – 2022-06-15 USA, AZ, Mt Lemmon DSC 6483 DxO© Laurens R. Krol · CC BY 4.0
Views

Windy Point Vista

Tucson, AZ
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area – Cooper's Hawk - Flickr - treegrow© Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA · CC BY 2.0
Nature

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area

Tucson, AZ
Saguaro National Park – Sunset In The Park (137310845)© Steve Jones · CC BY 3.0
Nature

Saguaro National Park

Tucson, AZ

Campsites nearby

  • Peppersauce CampgroundCampsite
    8 mi from Biosphere 2
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Haycreek RanchMotorhome stopover
    9 mi from Biosphere 2
    MotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Catalina State Park: Ringtail LoopCampsite
    11 mi from Biosphere 2
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Catalina State Park: Loop BCampsite
    11 mi from Biosphere 2
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Rose Canyon CampgroundCampsite
    16 mi from Biosphere 2
    TentsCaravans
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Prince of Tucson RV ParkMotorhome stopover
    23 mi from Biosphere 2
    Motorhomes
    OSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Arizona · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Biosphere 2?

Biosphere 2 is in Oracle, AZ, at GPS 32.5783, -110.8512. It is about 11 mi from Summerhaven.

Can you camp near Biosphere 2?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Peppersauce Campground, about 8 mi away; within 25 mi there are 26 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Biosphere 2?

Biosphere 2 is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Tucson and Mount Lemmon: from saguaros to pine forest.

What is there to see near Biosphere 2?

Places worth a stop nearby: Catalina State Park (12 mi), Windy Point Vista (16 mi), Sabino Canyon Recreation Area (19 mi) and Saguaro National Park (27 mi).

When is the best time to visit Biosphere 2?

The most pleasant months are usually November–April. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)