Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 14, 2025
Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is a unique botanical garden located in Superior, Arizona.
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Summary
The park covers over 300 acres and features a wide variety of plants from all over the world.
One of the main reasons to visit Boyce Thompson Arboretum is to see the stunning desert landscapes and the many different types of cacti, trees, and other plants that grow in the area. The park also has a number of trails and paths that allow visitors to explore the different areas of the park.
Some of the most popular points of interest in the park include the Cactus Garden, the Demonstration Garden, and the Australian Garden. The park also has a number of historical buildings and structures that are worth exploring, such as the historic Picket Post House and the Smith Building.
Interesting facts about Boyce Thompson Arboretum include that it was founded in the 1920s by mining magnate Colonel William Boyce Thompson, who wanted to create a place where people could learn about and appreciate the natural world. Today, the park is home to over 3,200 different types of plants and is a popular destination for birdwatching and nature photography.
The best time of year to visit Boyce Thompson Arboretum is during the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the plants are in bloom. However, the park is open year-round and offers a unique experience no matter what time of year you visit.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Tonto National Forest
Superstition Wilderness Water Sources, Plo 5368
White Canyon Wilderness