Sonoran Desert
Community
Cultural
Natural
The Sonoran Desert and its Arizona Uplands have the greatest diversity of plants of any desert in the world. It extends from the Santa Cruz Valley west into California and south along the Gulf of California into the state of Sonora Mexico.
The natural habitat of the iconic saguaro cactus is exclusive to the Sonoran Desert.
Meet Maeveen Behan: the Sonoran Desert Defender.
Despite this diversity, the desert is always at risk from drought. Learn how you can respond to drought conditions.
Explore the Sonoran Desert
Filter listings in our Interactive Map with this icon:
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A rocky trail surrounded by lush Sonoran Desert vegetation. Photo courtesy of Visit Tucson.
Heritage Happenings
Use our Events Calendar to find Sonoran Desert-themed events using the Thematic Categories filter.
