There is a brand new 10-acre botanical garden in Arizona! The Queen Creek Botanical Gardens is the world’s first all edible garden and while it’s still being built out, this is one amazing garden.
They show how you can make your garden a beautiful landscape and you can’t help but agree. This place will definitely inspire you to do this at home so it’s great for kids to see what is possible.
This edible oasis in the desert includes a river, waterfalls, Mill ponds and demonstrations you’ll be surprised by. Each of the fruit, vegetable, herb or edible flower plants have been selected for both their style and contribution to the garden.
Come take a tour and see everything Queen Creek Botanical Gardens has to offer.
In This Guide
What to See
Hours & When to Go
What’s Included in Admission
Other Activities at the Garden
Events
Prices & Tickets
Coming Soon
Getting There
Things to Do Near Queen Creek Botanical Gardens
What’s to See
As you stroll the paths throughout the gardens, volunteer and staff who are working will ask if you want to try and plants. They will share the plant and what it’s used for so this is a great way to learn about edible plants you can use in your landscape to enjoy in your yard and your kitchen.
The water wheel is probably one of the first parts of the garden you will notice. This is actually the only operational waterwheels in the American southwest.
Perhaps even before you notice the waterwheel, you’ll see Pecan Lake. The lake his stocked with catfish, largemouth bass, black crappie, blue-gill and shoals of flathead minnows.
During our visit there was a Great Blue Heron which is one of the birds the lake is naturally set-up to attract. You may also see:
- Great Herons
- White Egrets
- Merganser
- King-fisher
- Cormorants
- Falcons
- Hawks
- Owls
- Woodpeckers
- Swift
- And more
There are several themed gardens throughout and more will be coming soon as the gardens continue to be built out.
You can also purchase fresh-picked produce including herbs, vegetables and edible flowers, and fruit trees.
Hours & When to Go
The gardens are open from 9:00am to 4:00pm Tuesday thru Saturday. It’s always a good idea to check the garden website before going to make sure the hours have not changed due to a scheduled event.
As the gardens are still new, they do not get overly crowded. If you want a good chance of having the gardens to yourself, go earlier in the day on a weekday.
What’s Included in Admission
Admission gives you access to the demonstration gardens which includes:
- Market gardens
- English garden
- Gethsemane Garden
- Mill Creek Medicinal garden
- Japanese garden
- Legend falls
- Grandfather tree pavilion
- Mill pond vertical gardens
- Lakeside meadows
Throughout the demonstration gardens there is a self-guided QR video tour. Simply scan the code and a video will pop-up telling you more about the garden.
Within the gardens you can enter the Gristmill Museum Loft to see how the water mill works and lookout over the edible gardens.
Other Activities at Queen Creek Botanical Gardens
There is also a scavenger hunt for kids which you can pick-up from the admission desk. When the kids complete it and turn it in, they receive a small treat.
Canoe rides are available on the lake from 10:15am – 3:45pm for $5 per person. Kids under 12 must ride with an adult so keep that in mind if you’re planning on canoeing. Canoes, paddles and life jackets are provided.
Catch and release fishing is also available only between 9am – 10am.
During the summer u-pick produce will be available for $2 per pound (mostly).
As the gardens expand, a golden rule guided garden tour and sunset dinner tour will be available.
Events at The Gardens
On Wednesday mornings at 8:30am, come join in yoga (included in admission).
Despite being new, the gardens are already hosting multiple events throughout the year. Join in the fun by attending events such as:
- Dine at QC Gardens (a farm to table experience)
- Farm to Fork
- Farmacy Friday
- Christmas at Pecan Lake
- New Year’s Even Gala
- and more!
See all the upcoming events and register here.
Queen Creek Botanical Gardens Prices & Tickets
If you’re wondering how much it costs, let’s get that answered.
General admission is $14 while youth ages 3 to 17 are $5. Children under 3 are free.
The Queen Creek Botanical Gardens do have a free admission day on the third Tuesday of every month.
Membership is also an option if you live nearby or would like to come regularly. Membership options range from $70 for an individual to $120 for a family depending on the number of people.
You can get tickets here.
What’s Coming Soon
Although there is plenty to see already, the botanical gardens are continuing to be built out over the next couple of years. For instance, they are planning to have an on-site restaurant and petting zoo. Plus, here’s more of what you can expect to see in the future at the Queen Creek Botanical Gardens:
Fruit Orchard
This year-round fruit orchard is expected to be ready in Spring 2022. Fruits and vegetables will be available to be harvested throughout the entire year.
Aquaphonics
Pecan Lake is one of the state’s largest regenerative Aquaponic ecosystems where fish colonies are cultivated. These colonies add nutrients to the water that helps to support the plant life.
Getting There
The Botanical Gardens of Queen is in Queen Creek of course, in a pecan grove. You’ll find it nestled right behind Fat Cats. In fact, if you’re not looking for the sign, you’ll probably drive right by without even realizing it. It’s actually surrounded by Fat Cats, a neighborhood with new homes and the Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre.
Best bet is to just pop-in the address into your GPS: 25002 S. 206th St. Queen Creek, AZ 85142
Things to Do Near Queen Creek Botanical Gardens
If you’re looking for more to do nearby, there is a lot more you can do while near the gardens:
- Attend an event at Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre
- Visit Fat Cats to watch a movie, go bowling, play glow golf or play at the arcade
- Stroll along the Queen Creek Wash Trail
- Hike the mountains at San Tan Mountain Regional Park
