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Docent Garden Tours at Tohono Chul
Tohono Chul · Casas Adobes
7366 N Paseo del Norte, Tucson, AZ 85704
Docent-led one-hour walks through the Tohono Chul botanical garden: the daily Discovering Tohono Chul overview of Sonoran Desert plants and wildlife, a Friday walk on edible and useful desert plants, and a Saturday walk pairing desert poetry with the plants along the unpaved Desert View Trail. All are included with garden admission and start at the entrance.
- Saturday Oct 31 tours coincide with the Chiles, Chocolate & Day of the Dead Festival (9 a.m.–5 p.m., $25 adult festival ticket). Tohono Chul does not say whether regular $20 admission is accepted or whether the docent tours run that day; confirm with the admissions office before going.
When
- Fri, Oct 30Discovering Tohono Chul 9 & 10 a.m. (about 1 hr each); Connecting Plants & People 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Grounds open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Tours included with regular admission ($20 general).
Forecast: 81° · 73% rain · Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely - Sat, Oct 31Poetry & Plant Walk 8:30–9:30 a.m.; Discovering Tohono Chul 9 & 10 a.m. (about 1 hr each)
Chiles, Chocolate & Day of the Dead Festival runs 9 a.m.–5 p.m. the same day with $25 adult festival tickets; Tohono Chul has not said whether regular $20 admission is accepted or whether tours run as usual.
Forecast: 79° · 61% rain · Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Dates are stated explicitly by the source.
Getting in
Included with garden admission: $20 general, $15 seniors 62+ and active military, $10 youth 2–17, under 2 free, $3 Museums for All, members free. On Sat Oct 31 the festival charges $25 adult, $20 member, $10 youth 2–17, under 2 free; whether regular admission is accepted that day is not stated.
Meet at the entrance; no reservation needed. Tours are subject to docent availability and weather, and last-minute cancellations occur. Wear closed-toe walking shoes and bring water, a hat and sun protection. Grounds open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Admissions office (520) 742-6455 ext. 240.
- Tours are subject to docent availability and weather; last-minute cancellations occur.
- Wear closed-toe walking shoes and bring water, a hat and sun protection.
Where
Sources
- tohonochul.org organizer
October 2026 calendar: Fri Oct 30 Discovering Tohono Chul 9–11 a.m. and Connecting Plants & People 10:30–11:30 a.m.; Sat Oct 31 Poetry & Plant Walk 8:30–9:30 a.m., Discovering Tohono Chul 9–11 a.m., and Chiles, Chocolate & Day of the Dead Festival 9 a.m.–5 p.m. No Sunday events listed. Page does not state admission prices. - tohonochul.org organizer
Daily Sept–May at 9 and 10 a.m., about one hour, free with admission, Oct 30, 2026 listing, docent-availability cancellation note, admission prices. - tohonochul.org organizer
Fridays Sept–May 10:30–11:30 a.m., Oct 30, 2026 listing, edible and useful desert plants theme, free with admission, grounds open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. - tohonochul.org organizer
Saturdays Sept–Oct 8:30–9:30 a.m., Oct 31, 2026 listing, starts in main gardens and continues on the Desert View Trail, free with admission. - tohonochul.org organizer
Tour overview: Discovering (daily 9 & 10 a.m.), Connecting Plants & People (Fridays 10:30 a.m.), Poetry & Plant Walk (Saturdays 8:30 a.m. Sept–Oct) all meet at the entrance and are free with admission; subject to volunteer availability and weather. - tohonochul.org organizer
2026 Chiles, Chocolate & Day of the Dead Festival on Sat Oct 31, 2026, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; tickets $25 adult, $20 member, $10 youth 2–17, under 2 free. Page does not address regular admission or tours on festival day.