Take A Suspension Bridge Hike Through Boyce Thompson Arboretum, A 392-Acre Botanical Garden In Arizona
Katie Lawrence
Author
Arizona has several botanical gardens, but one, in particular, tends to fly tragically under the radar. Boyce Thompson Arboretum, located in beautiful Superior, Arizona, is actually the largest garden of its kind in the state, boasting more than 4,000 plants and many different types of terrain. It’s also home to several trails that we think are some of our favorite hikes in Arizona. These gardens also feature a suspension bridge that leads to some truly incredible creek and canyon views! The best part of all? This suspension bridge hike in Arizona is not scary, or even intimidating, at all. In fact, it’s pretty nice!
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Visit the arboretum on the web or follow the arboretum’s Facebook page to learn more about visiting hours, current events, sales, and admission. And remember, whenever you’re hiking in Arizona, be sure to pack all the essentials – even if you’re on a short hike, as our weather can be extreme.
Have you hiked any of the Boyd Thompson Arboretum trails or walked across its suspension bridge in Arizona? If so, what was your favorite piece of scenery along the way? Let us know!
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Suspension Bridge Hike In Arizona
Which Arizona arboretum should I visit?
Currently, Arizona is home to at least three designated arboretums, so we say why not check out all three? One is the Desert Arboretum Park at Arizona State University in Tempe, which also serves as the research gardens for the university on top of being a lovely place to go unwind. There’s also the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, in Superior, which is home to more than 4,000 desert plants, various biomes and types of ecosystems, and so much more. There’s a lot to learn there, and we recommend a whole day just for that one! Finally, there’s the Flagstaff Arboretum in the northern part of the state, which is a conservatory for native plants and several species of well-kept critters, many of whom help educate visitors in the forms of interesting live shows.
What is the best adventure hike in Arizona?
The “best” ones are highly subjective, of course, but we’d be lying if we said we didn’t have some favorites. One of the most incredible adventure hikes in the entire state is easily the insane trek to Havasu Falls, at the Grand Canyon. It’s located on tribal lands and a permit is required to hike or camp this particular trail. It’s a lengthy one - ten miles, one way - but trust us when we say the reward at the end is so beyond worth it. “Havasupai” means “people of the blue water”, and the water here that cascades down from a stunning red cliffside is indeed a cerulean blue like you’ve probably never seen before. There are no filters needed here - the natural beauty is so astonishing that this one probably takes the cake in terms of our pick for the best adventure hike in the state. There are also plenty of slightly (okay, a lot) easier Arizona hikes that you can enjoy.
Where is the desert botanical garden in Arizona?
The world-famous Desert Botanical Garden is in Phoenix, Arizona, in the heart of the beautiful Sonoran Desert. This 140-acre botanical garden teaches visitors much ado about desert life, be it in the form of plants or animals. It’s nestled inside Papago Park, which is an intriguing spot on its own thanks to its unique geology and interesting mountain formations. You can find it at 1201 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, Arizona, 85008.