The Desert Museum

A renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one place. Explore the desert paths and you're sure to encounter Gila monsters, hummingbirds, boojums, and much more amidst the beautiful Tucson Mountains.

The Desert Museum teems with life. Exhibits re-create the natural landscape so realistically you find yourself eye-to-eye with mountain lions, prairie dogs, Gila monsters, hawks, and hummingbirds. Millions of visitors from all over the world come to marvel at the Museum's cutting edge exhibitry and its interpretation of hundreds of living animals and thousands of kinds of plants.

Gardens are a specialty, too-colorful desert gardens, pollinator gardens, and the area's best display of cactus and succulents. The Arizona wildflower models are spellbinding. The walk-through cave is cool and mysterious and leads you to one of the finest collections of rare and beautiful regional gems and minerals.

Museum volunteers greet you, lead tours, and give live demonstrations. Although it's called a museum, you will find this place is really a naturalist's dream- a Mecca for the curious.

Founded in 1952, the Desert Museum is a private, nonprofit organization. Our current operations and growth are financed entirely by admissions, memberships, and contributions.