The Arizona Museum of Natural History (AZMNH) is the premier natural history museum in Arizona. It is dedicated to inspire wonder, respect and understanding for the natural and cultural history of the Southwest.

The Museum is a place for family fun. Where else can you see a flash flood cascading down a three-story mountain inside a museum? See Tom the soft-shelled turtle and a live Gila monster. Experience a real territorial jail, pan for gold in the History Courtyard, and wend your way through the Lost Dutchman’s Mine. Check out the new special exhibitions and experience hands-on adventure for all ages in the Exploration Station. Bring a friend or family member of any age to the museum: there is always something new to discover.

AZMNH is renowned for its field research programs and provides the public with opportunities to work on archaeological and paleontological digs. Come join us on one of our exciting scientific expeditions and contribute to these fascinating fields of science.

If you’re interested in archaeology, come explore AzMNH’s sister site, Mesa Grande Cultural Park. The park is an open-air Hohokam temple mound. It is located at 1000 N. Date Mesa, AZ 85201 and is open during our cooler weather from mid-October through mid-May. Groups of 15 or more may book in advance for a guided tour with an experienced archaeologist.

Dr. Robert McCord, Curator of Natural History, assisted by the Southwest Paleontology Society (SPS), conducts paleontological research throughout Arizona. Research expeditions have explored the Cretaceous in southeastern Arizona and Sonora, and Pliocene and Pleistocene deposits in the Phoenix area and eastern portions of the state. These expeditions have yielded theropod and sauropod dinosaurs, ceratopsians, hadrosaurs and many other kinds of Mesozoic animals, and glyptotheres, rhyncotheres, camels, horses, mammoth, turtles and other members of the later Cenozoic faunas.