Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Tucson, AZ
A mostly outdoor zoo and botanical garden of the Sonoran Desert, with mountain lions, hummingbird aviaries and raptor flights. Go early in summer. Gates Pass Road is closed to vehicles over 25 ft.
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, west of Tucson, combines a zoo, botanical garden, natural history museum and art gallery. William H. Carr founded it in 1952 with financial support from the conservationist Arthur Newton Pack. On 98 acres (40 ha) live more than 230 animal species, and about 1,200 kinds of plants grow here. Roughly 2 miles (3 km) of paths are paved and accessible. The animals live in naturalistic outdoor enclosures.
The grounds include four aviaries, one of them for hummingbirds, an aquarium, the Stingray Touch exhibit with stingrays from the Gulf of California, and the “Ancient Arizona” exhibit on the region’s prehistory. In “Raptor Free Flight,” birds of prey fly untethered. The museum draws nearly 400,000 visitors a year. Because the walk is mostly outdoors, an early visit with sun protection and water is advisable in summer. Current hours and shows are on the museum’s website.
- Nearest town
- Tucson, AZ
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 32.2440, -111.1680
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually November–March. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and October. Hot in May–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Gilbert Ray CampgroundCampsite2 mi from Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
- Camp SaguaroCampsite3 mi from Arizona-Sonora Desert MuseumTentsCaravansDrinking waterShowersToiletsDogs allowed
- Prince of Tucson RV ParkMotorhome stopover9 mi from Arizona-Sonora Desert MuseumMotorhomes
- Tucson / Lazydays KOAMotorhome stopover16 mi from Arizona-Sonora Desert MuseumMotorhomes
- Catalina State Park: Loop ACampsite19 mi from Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
- Catalina State Park: Loop BCampsite19 mi from Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
All campsites in Arizona · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum?
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is in Tucson, AZ, at GPS 32.2440, -111.1680. It is about 26 mi from Saguaro National Park East.
Can you camp near Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Gilbert Ray Campground, about 2 mi away; within 25 mi there are 11 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum?
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Tucson and Mount Lemmon: from saguaros to pine forest.
What is there to see near Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum?
Places worth a stop nearby: Saguaro National Park (4 mi), Mission San Xavier del Bac (13 mi), Catalina State Park (18 mi) and Sabino Canyon Recreation Area (21 mi).
When is the best time to visit Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum?
The most pleasant months are usually November–March. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)