let us do the work

Effortlessly plan your next adventure with AI
NatureParks & Gardens

The Secret Garden In Arizona You’re Guaranteed To Love

Discover the hidden gem of The Rose Garden at Mesa Community College, a free public garden perfect for horticulture enthusiasts and art lovers.

Updated Jul 18, 2024

Written by 

Monica Spencer

Looking for an excuse to stop and smell the roses? How about a visit to a secret garden in Arizona? If you're like me and enjoy hidden gems, public gardens, and free attractions, then you're going to love the Rose Garden at Mesa Community College in Arizona. It's a hidden gem most people don't know about. Take a look:

If you've ever driven down Southern Avenue in Mesa, chances are you've seen this very sight. Hiding behind a fancy bus stop is...

alt
Mesa Community College/Facebook

The Rose Garden at Mesa Community College!

alt
Mesa Community College/Facebook

Located at the north entrance of the Mesa Community College campus is this secret garden in Arizona, which is home to more than 9,000 rose bushes in about 350 varieties. That makes it the largest rose garden in our neck of the woods!

The garden's origins began in 1997 as a partnership with the college and the Mesa-East Valley Rose Society to help beautify the area. Since then, it's become the only rose garden testing site in the southwest, a location for small events, and a prime destination for people who love finding hidden gems. And of course, it's one of the very best gardens in Arizona.

Fun fact: When I attended MCC many years ago, the garden was in its early phase. Since then, it has blossomed into a true beauty!

The garden is a great spot for a nice stroll through a quiet area.

A vibrant garden filled with colorful roses, a large tree, and a lamp post, creating a serene outdoor space.
Trip Advisor/Management

Most visitors tend to explore the garden on their own but you'll occasionally find guided tours throughout the year.

You can learn about horticulture and even volunteer to help out at one of the prettiest gardens to visit in Arizona.

A vibrant garden filled with blooming white and pink roses, surrounded by lush greenery and a cloudy sky.
Lutfi H/Trip Advisor
alt
Mesa Community College/Facebook

Since it's a national testing site to learn about how roses can best survive in the desert, you'll get to figure out how to replicate such gorgeous results in your own backyard.

One of the best gardens in Arizona is also perfect for art, like plein air painting or photography!

alt
Mesa Community College/Facebook

You'll also find several memorials located here as well, such as this Blue Star Memorial, part of the Veterans Rose Garden.

alt
Mesa Community College/Facebook

The best part of all this? Visiting is free and open to the public daily!

alt
Mesa Community College/Facebook
alt
Mesa Community College/Facebook

The best time to visit the Rose Garden at Mesa Community College is in the spring (late March through June) and fall (November and December).

One of the best gardens in Arizona, you'll find this on the north side of campus, along Southern Avenue. Head to the website for Mesa Community College to learn more.

Have you ever been to the Rose Garden at Mesa Community College in Arizona? What do you think are the prettiest gardens to visit in Arizona? Tell us in the comments!

Explore Arizona outdoors even further. Check out what AllTrails has for hiking!

Want to see more gardens around the state? Check out these nine beautiful gardens in Arizona.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/arizona/az-beautiful-gardens/

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

Trips & Routes

The Instagrammable Roadside Attraction Is Worth the Drive From Dallas

Forget Paris; just a short drive from Dallas, Texas, is a whimsical Eiffel Tower worthy of your Instagram. Here’s what makes it worth the trip.

by Melanie Johnson
on Jul 21
Views of a replica of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Texas, with a large red cowboy hat on top.
Stays
Vacation Rentals

This Historic Brick Brownstone Is One of the Most Successful Airbnbs in Massachusetts

Step inside a historic Victorian brownstone overlooking Union Park in Boston’s sought-after South End. With three floors of living space and some of the city’s best restaurants, shops, and landmarks within walking distance, this Airbnb offers a memorable way to experience Boston.

by Megan Todaro
on Jul 21
The exterior of a brick building in Boston Massachusetts, where one of the most historic Airbnbs is.
Trips & Routes
Unique Trips

The 11 Most Spectacular Tree Tunnel Drives in America

Some roads exist just to get you somewhere else. These eleven don't, and that's exactly the point.

by Marisa Roman
on Jul 21
Cypress tree tunnel at Point Reyes, California, USA
Trips & Routes
Small Towns

The 17 Most Charming Hidden Towns You’ve Never Heard Of Across the U.S.

Every state hides at least one town this good, and locals would rather keep it that way. We found 17 of them, from quiet river towns to desert outposts, so you can get there before everyone else does.

by Marisa Roman
on Jul 21
Dahlonega, Georgia aerial view, one of the most charming hidden towns in the U.S.
Trips & Routes
Travel Preparation & Advice

The Regional Airports Across America With the Most and Least Expensive Airfare (2026 Rankings)

Only In Your State used government data to compare average airfare costs for departing flights at more than 100 of America’s regional airports to find where travelers get the most bang for their buck.

by Josh Koebert
on Jul 21
ATI cargo Boeing 767 aircraft and air traffic control tower, SeaTac Seattle, USA