Return to Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

(Be sure to print this and take it with you when you visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. I’m sure it will help you enjoy your visit more. Jim)

We begin our walk through the museum at the entrance that sits on a hillside with a great view of the desert. At the entrance you will find handicapped restroom facilities, a gift shop and a coffee bar. There is also a picnic area just outside of the gate. Handicapped parking is close and convent, and there is a drop-off point locate at the right of the entrance.

Before you enter you will want to try and spot some of the lizards that inhabit the natural enclosure at the left of the entrance. There are also several small bronze javelinas, two of which are javelina “banks” where you are encouraged to place a few dollar bills (or more) before you enter to help finance this museum. And, as you leave, be sure to put some extra bills into the javelinas to say, “Thank you.”

As soon as you enter the museum area, there is a great vista that looks over the park area, the desert below, and the mountains in the distance. To the left is the Mountain House gift Shop and Phoebe’s Coffee Bar. Save these for when you leave and turn instead to your right to begin your tour.

Reptiles & Invertebrates House
The first building you encounter is the Reptiles & Invertebrates House. Inside you can view the snakes, lizards and spiders safely as they are all behind the glass. However, you need to remember that, as this museum is located in a natural desert area, some of these same reptiles and invertebrates could be encountered as you walk the pathways. So – best advise – stay alert and stay on the pathways. Lizards. Snakes, scorpions and tarantulas can all be seen in the glass display areas. There is also a nice exhibit of Arizona wildflowers inside.

There are also restrooms located here and it is suggested you take the opportunity to use them, as there is much to see and do ahead. Also located here is an orientation area, the Vista Ramada and the Overlook. You can often see docents here with exhibits.

Earth Sciences
From here it is an easy downhill walk to the Earth Sciences area. The highlight of this area, especially for the children, is the limestone cave that is complete with stalagmites, stalactites, and falling water. The inside of the “cave” is filled with interesting displays. However, one of the highlights for children is the 75-foot walk through the cave that leads off of the main trail. It is filled with rough footing, tight passages, and low ceilings that give them the feel of a real caving experience. Adults can also make the journey through this area, but it is a bit tight. I know you can make it as I did when my grandchildren insisted I go with them because it was dark inside.

Among the many displays in the Earth Sciences exhibit is one of the finest collections of regional minerals and gemstones you will find anywhere. And, as you leave the cave, the children are encouraged to look for minerals in the mine exhibit. The docents “salt” this area daily and children are encouraged to try their luck at finding some. Try to limit them to two so there will be plenty of those who follow later in the day. Earth Sciences

Ancient Arizona
From here you walk along the top of a hill for a look over Ancient Arizona. As you look down into the dry wash area, try to think how this area must have looked to the first settlers of the region. Well actually, as I live on the desert myself south of here in the small town of Rio Rico, much of this area of Arizona still looks as it did in days gone by.

Mountain Woodland
When you reach the fork in the pathway, take the right fork that leads you into the Mountain Woodland area. This area is filled with the animals and plants that are commonly found in the mountain “islands” of the Sonoran Desert region. Just before you enter the woodlands, look for the small window where you can sometimes see on of the mountain lions up close and personal. They often rest in this area to get out of the sun.

As you continue down the hillside, don’t miss the parrot in the display on your left. The trail winds itself down to the valley area where you can see the enclosures for the mountain lions, black bears, white-tailed deer, and the rare Mexican wolf. All of them are displayed in an enclosure that in indicative of their native habitat. Be sure to try and find the screech owl in the exhibit between the bears and the Mexican wolf. Mountain Woodland

Desert Grassland
Just ahead is the Desert Grassland area where you will find out why these grasslands are so important to the ecology of the Sonoran Desert region. Here you will find displays of owls and snakes along with the display of prairie dogs. You will also find restrooms and a drinking fountain here.

Desert Gardens
Throughout the museum you will find hundreds and hundreds of native plants, including the many varieties of cactus found in the Sonoran Desert. As the pathway makes it way toward the Riparian Corridor, you will want to be sure and look along the pathways to see how many of these native plants you can find. Along with what is planted and grown naturally along the pathways, you will also find more formal gardens that include the Cactus Garden, the Pollination Gardens and the Desert Garden.

Desert Loop Trail
This is the longest section of unpaved pathways in the museum. Although it is not paved, most of it is smooth enough for a wheelchair, but the pushing can be pretty difficult as the terrain has a lot of ups and downs. The trail is ½ mile in length and offers you a close-up look at the desert with sweeping views of the lower Altar and Avra valleys. You can also see the mountains of Mexico in the distance. If you feel unable to make the entire loop, at least try to make it to the first display area, Cat Canyon.

Cat Canyon
One of the more interesting exhibits in the museum is Cat Canyon. Here you will find the bobcat, jaguarondi and ocelot, the regions’ wild cats in displays that are quite like their desert home. The first area of the canyon is seen from the top. However, it is sometimes hard to spot the cats in this natural-like setting. But it does give you a feel for how hard it is to spot them in the wild.

The best vantage point is below ground. Just take the steps to the cave-like area where you can view the cats through glass windows. Here you get a great close-up view of the animals and have an opportunity to get a nice picture without feeling you are in danger. This is one of my favorite areas of the museum.

In Cat Canyon you will find a shaded ramada, drinking fountain and a place for you smokers to light up and enjoy a smoke. Smoking is discouraged in other areas of the outdoor museum, and inside of all buildings and exhibits unless designated by signage as a smoking area.

Javelina
Just past Cat Canyon is a spot to rest in the Saguaro Ramada. As you continue down the path past the lizard display, you will see the location of the Free Flight area (seasonal). Then, just past Palo Verdes you will come to the area where the javelina can be found.

If you have trouble spotting any javelina, remember that they tend to keep together as though their instincts tell them there is safety in numbers. Also, look for them to be resting in the shade under the pedestrian bridges that pass over the dry washes in the area. Near one of the bridges you will find a water fountain.

Between the enclosures of the javelina and coyote you will find the Convergent Evolution area and the area that is full of plant adaptations. There is also a water fountain located here.

Coyote
The next enclosure you encounter will be the home of the coyote. You can often observe several of them as they live together in a family pack. Just a bit up the hill is the Coyote Ramada where you can rest in the shade and perhaps get a few more good glimpses of the coyote as they run through their natural environmental enclosure.

You may have noticed the almost invisible black netting that keeps the animals along the Desert Loop Trail inside of their enclosure. These nets were developed and patented by the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and were first used here. They make viewing the animals much more interesting as it is almost impossible to see the netting and it is just like seeing them in the wild.

Just before the loop trail meets the main paved pathway, there is an area where you can see exhibits and displays in construction and the location where they make the artificial rocks you see in the animal enclosures. Be sure to step inside and see the display on how these “rocks” are made. If you are lucky, some of the workmen and artisans will be at work making rocks.

When you reach the paved pathway, turn to your right to continue your walk through the gardens. Soon you will come to the Cactus Garden.

Cactus Garden
Meandering through this area of the museum are hard-packed dirt paths that take you past hundreds of cacti. There are over 100 species of cactus and other desert plants growing in this landscaped setting allowing you to see the many varieties that are found in the Sonoran Desert in one place. This area is especially interesting in the spring when the cactus is in bloom. It also makes a great place for a family photo.

Just past the Cactus is a dirt path that is a shortcut back to the exit. It passes through part of the Pollination Gardens and also leads to the Hummingbird Aviary, the Butterfly Garden, and the area where you will find moths and bees.

If you stay on the paved pathway, you will soon be at the Riparian Corridor where you will find one of the original bird enclosures and the Cottonwood rest area where you will find snacks and ice cream. My suggestion, buy a cone and sit awhile and enjoy the shaded area around the Cottonwood snack bar.

Just across from the snack bar is one of the oldest exhibits in the museum. This circular caged area is home to several birds. Renovation is planned for this area that will make it better for viewing the birds. But even more important, the new area will be much better for the birds!

Riparian Corridor
The Riparian Corridor is home to the otter, beaver, coati and bighorn sheep. A riparian is an area that follows and is alongside a stream in the desert. There are actually several places where the water flows freely in the desert and this “riparian” area is perfect for spotting an abundance of wildlife. The area in which I live, Rio Rico (rich river) is a very large riparian area where my wife and I often enjoy views of the wildlife as we walk along the river.

Make a left just past the Cottonwood and you will come to a bridge where on one side you can see some of the species of fish found in the Sonoran Desert, and on the other side an enclosure where the otters seem to spend most of their time playing. For some unknown reason, it seem one can watch these otters as they swim and play. Just past the pool, and past the enclosure for the coati, there are steps leading to an underground area where you can watch the otter as they gracefully glide through the water. You can also see a replica of their den through a glass viewing port that is under water. Across from the otter tank, you can see the inside of the beaver den – where you are most likely to see these large creatures sleeping away the day.

But before you head down the stairs, be sure to spend some time searching the coati enclosure to see one (or more) of these elusive animals. They are quite often hard to spot, but if they are thirsty and need a drink of water, you can see them close up as the walk down to the waters edge to drink. It is directly over the wall of the enclosure giving you a nice, close view of the coati. And, if you cannot find them, walk to the very end of the display area where there is another of those wonderful glass windows where you might get a chance to see them close up as they rest in the shade.

Now you can take the walk down the stairs to the underground area for a view of the otter and beaver. Continue through this tunnel and up the ramp to the enclosure for the bighorn sheep.

Bighorn Sheep
This large enclosure is the home of several bighorn sheep. You can watch as these large sheep take advantage of their enclosure that is complete with a natural-like valley setting that is surrounded by some of those man-made rocks. It is interesting to watch as these surefooted animals seem to almost dance along the sides of the rock faces. You can often spot a spiny-tailed iguana on the rocks in the bighorn enclosure.

While you are here, be sure to take in the exhibit of the saguaro cactus that is only found in the Sonoran Desert. One of the displays that is particularly interesting is the one that shows the relative growth of the slow-growing cactus that takes well over 50 years to mature.

This is also the location of another shaded area and a smoking area. There is a drinking fountain here and restrooms. The paved path leads you past the enclosure for the tortoises and on to the Walk-in Aviary.

Walk-in Aviary
This wonderful enclosure is great. It is filled with dozens of birds. Along with the Gambel’s quail, cardinals, ducks and dives; you can find about 40 other species of birds that are native to the Sonoran Desert. See how many you can find. To help you in your search, there are several pictures of the birds posted along the pathways inside of the aviary, and a birders guidebook hanging by a chain near the entrance.

When entering and exiting the aviary, be sure to close the doors. Both the entrance and the exit have two doors. Walk through the first door, and wait until all are inside of the little enclosure before opening the second door that actually leads to the inside of the aviary. We want to make sure we keep the birds inside.

Just past the aviary there is another fork in the road. The left fork takes you through the Desert Garden and the Life Underground display. You may take this route if you like, but if it is mealtime, continue along the pathway to your right to the Ironwood Terraces Restaurant (my favorite) or the Ocotillo Café. You can take the walk through the Life Underground exhibit and the Desert Garden after lunch.

Restaurants
Along with the small Phoebe’s Coffee Bar near the entrance, both the Ocotillo Café and the Ironwood Terraces Restaurant offer a fine choice of items of everything from salad, soup and sandwiches (and pizza), to a full dinner menu.

The Ocotillo Café is a more formal dining experience with a sit-down atmosphere and servers. The menu is quite good, and there is a nice inside dining room with a good view into the Desert Museum History Wall area, and outside dining.

My choice is the Ironwood Terraces Restaurant, a self-serve area where you will find a great assortment of sandwiches, pizza, and much more. I really like the chicken salad sandwich wrap. Also, if you are a member, you get 10% taken off of your bill and free coffee! I like this place for two reasons. The first is the selection, and the second is the location of the dining tables. You can either dine inside where you will find floor to ceiling windows that look out over the gardens, or eat at one of the outdoor areas. There is a covered outdoor dining area, and another area that is in the sun if it is a cool, winter day. I enjoy eating outside and listening to the birds.

Just outside of the restaurant area is the Desert Museum History Wall, an art gallery, and the pathway that leads you to the Desert Garden and the Life Underground exhibit.

Desert Garden
Many people think that there is nothing on the desert but dull and drab, almost dead, brown-looking plants and cactus. I know that is what I though until we moved to California when I was a kid (in the ‘50s) and made weekend trips out to my grandfather’s cabin in the Mohave Desert near Joshua Tree. I then learned that the desert has a beauty all its own.

Here in the Desert Garden you can see some of these native desert plants and see that many of them are very colorful. Sure, there is often a lot of dead-looking stems with no leaves, but with just a little bit of water the plants come alive with green and, in the spring, color. They water this area regularly and it has become a lush oasis in the desert. You will enjoy walking through the gardens, or taking the time to sit for a bit and just let your eyes take in the beauty.

Life Underground
The pathways through the Desert Garden will take you either to the main pathway, or towards the Jojoba Ramada and Life Underground. This underground tunnel will lead you past displays and exhibits that show you how many of the nocturnal animals, reptiles and invertebrates live underground. If you opt not to take this underground route, the pathway will lead you past the Yucca Ramada back to the main pathway.

Hummingbird Aviary
Whichever way you get back to the main pathway, turn to your left and just a short walk will take you to one of the most interesting and popular exhibits at the museum, the Hummingbird Aviary. Again, be sure to enter and exit properly as these little birds are fast and it would be easy for them to “escape.”

Inside the aviary you will be able to walk freely among the seven species o hummingbirds that are native to the Sonoran Desert. These quick little birds spend their time between hovering in mid air to harmlessly whisking past your head as they fly from flower to flower. There are several benches in the aviary where you can sit and enjoy the show. However, be prepared for one of the birds to try and find a bit of loose thread on your clothing they can use to build a nest.

Each time I have visited this enclosure I have seem lots of birds as the hover and zoom about. But the most interesting thing to see is when they are in one of the tiny nests they build in the trees. If you are anything like me, you will find it hard to leave this world-famous exhibit.

Pollination Gardens
Continuing along the pathway you will pass the Pollination Gardens and the area where you can observe the butterflies, moths and bees. There are some short pathways through the garden area, and a path that takes you back to where you can see a large hive of bees.

From here it is up the winding pathway to the exit and Phoebe’s Coffee Bar and the Mountain House Gift Shop. Leaving the gift shop you will want to be sure to check out the displays of the fishes and amphibians.

I hope you have enjoyed your tour of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Be sure to visit their website for additional information and information on admission and membership prices. www.desertmuseum.org.

If you have something you believe should be added to this page of Getting Away, please contact Jim. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com