The Desert Botanical Gardens is fascinating. The formal desert garden with 50,000 plants spread over 140 acres doesn’t have many traditional flowers and plants. It is made up primarily of cacti and other desert plants that survive in the hottest and driest parts of the world.

Upon entering the garden we saw an area designed with all types of cacti in a variety of shapes and sizes. Many of the cacti were taller than the people visiting them.

I was surprised at how aesthetically pleasing a garden with cacti as the focus can be.

The Botanical Garden is divided into different sections. Each section or pathway is clearly marked. Herbs and vegetables that flourish in the dry climate are also grown there.

The Desert Botanical Gardens is located right near Papago Park which houses the Phoenix Zoo and Hole in the Rock. When we visited we enjoyed a picnic lunch at Papago Park and then hiked up to the Hole in the Rock.