Entry No. 38 — the Phoenix file — filed under: night hike
Critter Crawl Night Tour, Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Once the gift shop closes and the crowds leave, docents lead small flashlight-equipped groups out into the arboretum's desert trails to find the nocturnal Sonoran Desert — the scorpions, kangaroo rats, and owls that never show themselves during the day.
The story
Most visitors make the hour-long drive east from Phoenix to Boyce Thompson Arboretum to tour plant collections in full daylight. What they miss is that the Sonoran Desert is largely an after-hours operation. Once the gift shop locks up and the daytime crowds clear out, a completely different cast takes over the arboretum's nearly 400 acres in Superior.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum is Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden, but on summer nights, the flora takes a backseat to the fauna. Under a sky significantly darker than the Phoenix light pollution dome, naturalists lead flashlight-equipped groups out onto the trails. As the desert cools, the creatures that spent 100-degree afternoons hiding underground come out to hunt and forage: kangaroo rats, roosting owls, and bark scorpions.
The real draw of the 90-minute walk is eyeshine and ultraviolet fluorescence. Naturalists guide you along the dark paths pointing out glints of light in the brush, or flipping on blacklights to reveal scorpions glowing neon green against tree bark and rock faces.
What it's like
Expect a slow, quiet walk through pitch-black trails with a group strictly capped at 24 people. You'll meet your naturalist guide after normal operating hours—bring your own water, wear closed-toe shoes, and pack a flashlight or UV headlamp. The focus is on spotting nocturnal wildlife without disturbing it, scanning both the ground for movement and tree branches for roosting birds. Because group sizes are kept small, spots sell out quickly, making advance online registration required.
The move: Register ahead for one of the dated evening sessions (capped at 24 people), bring headlamps and water, and spend 90 minutes walking under a much darker sky than Phoenix ever offers, hunting for eyeshine and desert nightlife with a naturalist.
- 📍 Superior, AZ
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 37615 E Arboretum Way, Superior, AZ 85173
Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Queen Valley Overlook Ruins — Explore these prehistoric stone ruins overlooking Queen Creek in the late afternoon before heading over for your night tour.
- Belmont Mine — Located less than five miles away, this historic 1899 copper and silver mine site makes a quick pre-dusk detour into regional mining history.
- Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum (with Elvis Presley Memorial Chapel) — Stop off in Apache Junction on your drive east from Phoenix to see regional artifacts and the Elvis Memorial Chapel set piece.
Good to know
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. Each Critter Crawl tour is capped at 24 participants and requires advance online registration through Boyce Thompson Arboretum's website.
What should I bring on the night hike?
Bring plenty of drinking water, wear closed-toe shoes suited for unpaved dirt trails, and pack a flashlight or UV blacklight to spot fluorescent scorpions.
How long is the tour and where does it meet?
The tour lasts 90 minutes (typically 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM on scheduled summer dates) at the arboretum grounds, located at 37615 E Arboretum Way in Superior.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Wikipedia · Instagram
last checked: 2026-07-19