Wildflowers in the Tucson Desert
A walk through the desert in bloom provides a startling experience like no other. Carpets of color stand in spectacular contrast to the normal desert landscape. Like temperamental artists whose performances depend on just the right conditions, our spring wildflower display varies from year to year, depending on late-autumn rains. Residents eagerly await the arrival of March and April-the best months to see the greatest variety of types and colors of blooms, when the hillsides and roadsides of Southern Arizona begin to burst with brilliant gold, vermillion, pink, lavender, purple, blue, red and more. Look for African daisies, California and Mexican gold poppies, desert globe mallow, owl's clover, desert bluebells, paperflowers, desert marigold, penstemons, Indian blanket, and more. In town you can always visit Tohono Chul Park, Tucson Botanical Gardens and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum for wildflower shows that are always in full glory in the spring. Picacho Peak State Park - northwest of Tucson on Interstate 10 boasts the best, biggest and most-varied spring display of native wildflowers in Southern Arizona. Other prime viewing spots include Kitt Peak and Saguaro National Park East and West, Sabino Canyon, Bear Canyon, Catalina State Park and Kings Canyon.
Upcoming Events
Carondelet "Get Moving Tucson" - Oct. 18 Thousands of runners and walkers will cruise through historical downtown Tucson in this annual, 10-mile run and 5K-walk/run event that includes live music, a climbing wall, jumping castles, and other post-race activities for the family., (520) 326-9383 (Southern AZ Roadrunners).
The Bisbee 1000 Great Stair Climb - Oct. 18 Tour Old Bisbee and donate to the restoration of the city's historical stairways. Participants can walk, run, or rest their way through the roughly three-mile route that includes more than 1,000 steps and numerous back-roads at a mile-high altitude., 520-266-0401.
AIDSWalk 2008 - Oct. 19 The 20th annual AIDSWalk will take place at the University of Arizona campus on the mall. AIDSWalk Tucson benefits the programs and services of the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF)., 520-791-9266.
Diamond Ventures 2nd El Tour Halloween 10K & 5K Run/Walk - Oct. 26 Run or walk a flat course through Sycamore Park,
adjacent to the scenic Rincon Mountains in southeast Tucson. Open to all runners and walkers of all skill and age levels., (520) 745-2033.
Tumacacori Century Gene Chapman Memorial Bike Ride - Oct. 26 Greater Arizona Bicycling Association presents a ride for both novice and experienced cyclists through the scenic Santa Cruz River Valley, with 24-mile, 64-mile, and 100-mile routes, to Tumacacori Mission., 520-512-0442.
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See all our Major Events >> |
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View photos and videos on the AZ State Parks website.
Read the Wall Street Journal article about this year's wildflowers.
Wildflower updates on the Desert Museum website.
Browse businesses specializing in Plants & Animals
Wildflower Season is blooming in Southern Arizona. View photos and videos! |
