Biosphere 2 Arizona: What to Expect on Your Visit
Biosphere 2 is a massive glass-covered experiment in the Arizona desert. It’s a unique spot to visit because you’re actually walking through a living experiment. It was built to help determine whether or not humans could create and live in a self-contained world.
During your visit you can walk through a rainforest, ocean, desert, and other ecosystems while learning about the ambitious attempt to create this self-contained world. If you enjoy science, architecture, plants or looking for an unusual attraction, a visit to Biosphere 2 might be something to add to your list of things to do in Arizona.
Biosphere 2 – What to Expect
Originally published September 16, 2026 — Last updated
In 1991 and again in 1994 researchers were sealed in the Biosphere to measure survivability in a self-sustaining environment. They grew their own food, raised animals, recycled their air and their water. The first group of eight people spent two years in this environment. In 1994, six people entered the Biosphere, however this time the experiment only lasted six months.
Today it is a research biodome with Ocean, Mangrove wetlands, Tropical rainforest, Savanna grassland, and desert. The tour is one-mile in length and includes walking both indoors and outdoors. There are 100 stairs to navigate on the tour.
Biosphere 2 At A Glance:
Where is Biosphere 2?
Biosphere 2 is 115 miles from Phoenix and 30 miles from Tucson. You can visit as a day trip from either city.
Landscape Evolutionary Observatory (LEO)
Hill slope landscapes to study the underground movement of water. sensors measure water and gas in the soil. Rain landscape track and measure where the water goes and how it moves under the landscape. They are researching how the drinking water moves through landscapes. researching how climate change may impact water resources.
The Orchard
The next stop was the Orchard. Here you can find Figs, guava, oranges, lemons, grapefruits, coffee, limes, and bananas. The diet was primarily plant-based. However, since they had pigs, chickens and goats they did have eggs and milk, and occasionally meat (the pigs ate too much of their food supply).
Biosphere 2 Lung
When Biosphere 2 was a sealed environment, the round dome (the Lung) was created to alleviate pressure of the biomes. It has a pressure equalizing chamber.
Coastal Fog Desert Biome
The first biome you’ll enter is the fog desert biome. Plants from Baja and a little stream. This biome has more humidity than the Sonoran Desert.
From here you’ll walk down the stairs to the Technospheres tunnels and see the mechanical infastructure. After this you’ll be guided back up the stairs to the Ocean biome.
Thornscrubs, Mangroves, and Lower Savannahs
Between the fog desert and ocean biome are the shaded area and mangroves mimicking weather in Florida. Red, Black and white mangroves live here. Grows in the brackish water. Papaya plants, avocado trees, coffee grows here.
Ocean Biome
An artificial 700,000 – gallon saltwater ocean. At one time it was home to coral, fish, and invertebrates. Researchers studied how increased C0 2 in the atmosphere affected coral reefs.
Savanna
Above the Ocean are plants from Australia, Africa and South America. This area acts as a transition zone between the Ocean and Rainforest Biome.
Tropical Rainforest Biome
There is about 90% humidity in the Rainforest Biome. There are more than 100 species of plants in this biome. Some of the plants are more than 90 feet tall. There is a concrete rainforest mountain with a waterfall and small pond on top. The pond drains into a stream that runs through the biome.
Things to Know Before Your Visit
Purchase your tickets online. Your tour is self-guided. Wifi is spotting in Oracle, so download the Biosphere 2 app before you leave for your visit. You will listen to this app for the tour. Bring your phone and air pods so you can listen to the tour once you arrive.
I wish that I had upgraded my tour to include the Biosphere apartment. I didn’t realize I could add this when we arrived and wish I had done so.
Water and Food at Biosphere 2
Bring a reusable water bottle. The Biosphere has refilling stations. There is no restaurant at Biosphere 2, however they do have snacks available in their gift shop. The closet restaurant is in Oracle about seven miles away.
Outdoor Path at Biosphere 2
Along the path you’ll see gorgeous large rocks with both malachite and azurite minerals as well as wildflowers.
On our way out we were lucky to see a deer at the entrance laying down in the shade. It was a cool way to end the tour.
If you’re planning a Tucson trip, Biosphere 2 is a unique attraction. Due it’s remote location I would plan half a day for for a visit.
Planning your Tucson trip?
See my Tucson things to do page for more places to add to your trip.
Tip: For more information visit → Official Website.
Tucson Tours
Adventurer At Heart
Amber is the writer behind Adventurer At Heart, sharing practical travel advice based on more than 25 years of exploring Arizona and traveling beyond it. She looks for places with a story, from desert trails and historic sites to scenic drives and towns worth your limited vacation time. When she’s not traveling, she’s gardening.
