Tucson Botanical Gardens

Date/Time

Saturday, October 3rd, 2026 | 9:30am - 11:00am

Where We Will Meet

Cafe inside the Tucson Botanical Gardens

Where The Walk Will End

Cafe inside the Tucson Botanical Gardens

About This Walk

The Tucson Botanical Gardens is a lovely destination and a target-rich environment for photography. As the TBG website describes it, “The Tucson Botanical Garden is a lovely hideaway in the middle of Tucson. It is quaint and peaceful. I could see myself going there for a cup of tea with a friend.”

Tucson Botanical Gardens is a 5.5-acre urban oasis on the historic Porter Family property in central Tucson. It combines mature shade trees with more than 20 curated garden spaces featuring desert plants, art, local culture, and horticulture.

The gardens offer a remarkable variety of subjects in a compact, walkable setting: sculptural cacti and succulents, flowering aloes, roses, herb gardens, colorful courtyard displays, and shaded paths. The changing textures—from spiny desert forms to soft tropical foliage—make it easy to create both close-up botanical studies and layered environmental compositions.

For wildlife and macro photography, blooming Aloe Alley attracts hummingbirds and bees in early spring, while the gardens’ pollinator plantings draw regional and migrating butterflies. The Cox Butterfly & Orchid Pavilion features tropical butterflies, orchids, hibiscus, bromeliads, air plants, and carnivorous plants within Southern Arizona’s only tropical butterfly greenhouse.

Photographers of all experience levels are welcome. Whether you use a phone, point-and-shoot, mirrorless, DSLR, or film camera, you will find plenty of opportunities to make memorable images. TBG allows photographic tripods; if you bring one, please remain especially aware of other guests. If you have a macro lens, I encourage you to bring it.

Joining the Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk is free. However, Tucson Botanical Gardens admission is your responsibility: adult admission is $19, senior admission is $15, and parking is free.

Our relatively early start time is intended to help us avoid the hottest part of Tucson’s day. After the walk, we can gather at the shaded café on the grounds for a cool drink and an opportunity to share photos and experiences.

I have had the privilege of leading several Kelby Photo Walks in Tucson and participating in several others. I hope to welcome new photographic friends while reconnecting with returning walkers from prior years. I look forward to a safe, enjoyable, and inspiring walk with all of you.

If you have questions, please contact me through the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk website or, if you are a returning walker, directly by email.

Bob Wood

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