Desert Botanical Garden

The Desert Botanical Garden is a botanical garden in Papago Park in Phoenix that displays plants from desert regions across all continents. The site stretches across grounds with paths winding through cactus groves, beds of succulents, and sections of flowering wildflants.

A Swedish botanist began a campaign in the 1930s to protect desert vegetation, which led to the founding of this botanical garden in 1937. The institution developed over the following decades into a research site for arid climates.

The garden's Webster Auditorium, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, serves as a central venue for educational programs about desert ecosystems.

Five thematic trails lead through different areas, including sections for cacti from the Americas and succulents from Africa and Asia. The paths are mostly flat and wheelchair-friendly, though shade is more comfortable early in the morning or late in the day.

An auditorium from the founding era still stands on the grounds and is used for lectures about desert plants. The collection continues to grow through expeditions and seed exchanges with botanical gardens in other dry regions worldwide.

Location: Phoenix

Location: Maricopa County

Inception: 1937

Founders: Rose E. Collom

Website: http://dbg.org

GPS coordinates: 33.46194,-111.94472

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:30