Highlands Center for National History

The Highlands Center for Natural History is an 80-acre campus situated within Prescott National Forest under a special use permit. At the heart of their site lies the James Family Discovery Gardens, a thoughtfully designed, five-acre arboretum that highlights the rich botanical diversity of the Central Highlands of Arizona. These gardens serve as a living showcase of the region’s major plant communities—from the dense chaparral slopes of scrub oak and manzanita to the cooling shade of riparian willows, the iconic Ponderosa pine woodlands, and the transitional zones of pinyon pine, alligator juniper, and grassland species such as prickly pear and banana yucca.

This immersive landscape invites visitors of all ages and backgrounds to engage with the wonders of the native flora. Fully ADA accessible, the James Family Discovery Gardens are lined with interpretive signage and thoughtfully curated pathways that encourage exploration, discovery, reflection, wonder, and connection to the natural world.