Picketpost House at Boyce Thompson Arboretum is the former summer residence of the park's name sake. The house is located at the far end of a 3 mile loop trail and across a deep ravine. Currently the house is not open to the public but plans are underway to restore it and open it to the public in the future. 
Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is open every day of the year except Christmas. Currently Admission is $7.50 for ages 13 and up, and $3 for ages 5-12. Ages 4 and under are free. However, if you live in the area, you can buy a State Parks Pass for $50 which will allow access for the pass owner plus 3 other adults. The State Parks Pass is good for 1 year from the date of purchase, plus it allows you access to any other State Parks in Arizona. Warning: If you intend to buy your State Parks Pass from Boyce Thompson Arboretum, you must have cash or a check as this comes out of a different fund and they will not let you use a debit or charge card to pay for it. Do not confuse the State Parks Pass with a Boyce Thompson Arboretum Annual Pass ($45) which will only let you into Boyce Thompson Arboretum for one year. Regular admission, the Arboreutum Annual Pass, and other purchases from the green house or gift shop may be paid for with a charge card. 
Vine covered rock formation on the loop trail.
Rock formations on the slopes of Picketpost Mountain south of Queen Creek.
Red-naped Sapsucker in California Pepper Tree near the picnic area.
Besides the hiking trail there are numerous little side trails into various specialty gardens. Included are: a Hummingbird and Butterfly Garden; Rose Garden; Taylor Desert Legume Garden; Chihuahuan Exhibit; Cactus and Succulent Garden; South American Exhibit; Wing Herb Garden, and an Australian Exhibit. One of my favorites is the Demonstration Garden located near the picnic area where you can see different suggestions for a Xeriscape or low water-use landscape.
I have been to Boyce Thompson Arboretum three different times so far and have yet to explore the whole place. I highly recommend a visit to this corner of my world here in Arizona, USA.
You can see more photos of Boyce Thompson Arboretum in my post, A Hike Through Boyce Thompson Arboretum or Skywatch Friday: Picketpost House. Be sure to read the comments sections where others have added to my knowledge of this amazing park.
Visit My World Tuesday to continue your tour around this amazing planet we live on.
26 comments:
What beautiful photos! It definitely looks like a worthwhile place to visit!
That countryside has a beauty all its own - truly amazing!
Wow, I'd love to see that place. I always love visiting arboretums, and this one looks especially nice. Your part of the world in Arizona looks pretty interesting!
it looks so warm there!
Kathie: Thanks for sharing all the great shots from this area of your world.
What a beautiful place! I scrolled down and looked at your last 2 posts as well! Simply a beautiful place you live near! Loving this myworld!
Thanks for stopping by!
WOW, great post and pictures!!
Take care
This looks like a super place to visit. Will have to ask my sister about it the next time we get to Arizona and put it on our list of places to see! Thanks for sharing this!
Looks like one could spend lots of time at htis interesting place.Your pictures show the beauty and diversity very well.
Very interesting post and great pictures, love the bird shot
Kathie, that is a lovely post. I only wish I could still fly, I's be over there like a shot.
Looking forward to seeing even more of "your world".
Nice post and great photos.
Thanks for the visit,
Troy and Martha
PS: You'll like next week. It will be about Big Bend Nat'l Park. We don't get there very often. Every 3-4 years. It's a long way.
Love this and a must see if ever i get in that area, sounds interesting.
An interesting story and beautiful pictures! Who could ask for more? :o) Thanks for sharing!
Looks like a wonderful place to raom around. Bet the inside of the house is really something, too.
I love the picture of the balanced rock. I need to get up to the arboretum some time. I keep meaning to visit and haven't managed to yet.
Wonderful and I am looking forward to checking out all the links. Thank you.
Wow, beautiful blue skies and a gorgeous sapsucker. Sounds like you and your family had a wonderful time at the arboretum. (And your grandson is adorable!)
~Kyle
WOW I'd better get with it after viewing your blog..lots of cool info here..makes me want to visit ASAP
Beautiful photos of the country side. Your part of the world is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing your part of the world with us. :)
Great photos from your trip. Weather seemed perfect and those rock formations sure look funny.
Thanks for the wonderful trip around your place. So very much different from my place but I do wanna share my place also to you. Great job.
Wonderful My World Tuesday post! Loved learning about the Arboretum, and the photographs are great! Thanks. As someone who has family in that area, I appreciate hearing about places to visit!
Marie
What a great place. Though these old 'summer houses' crack me up in their palatialness!
great photo essay - I'd love to have a "summer place" like that (or a year-round place like that, LOL). Thanks for sharing this part of your world, I just wish we'd learned more since 1917.
Excellent post - and hey - thanks for being part of the 1st issue!
Cheers, Klaus
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