Arizona is well-known as a snowbird paradise—for both the flying and biped kind—because of the mild winters and sunny days that are great for winter food supply and aging joints. But did you know our state is also the perfect retirement home for another flying creature? Well, less of a creature and more of a contraption. There is an incredible airplane boneyard in Arizona that is a perfect roadside stop for any plane enthusiasts out there. Or even just a fascinating stop for anyone who wants to see a rare, one-of-a-kind attraction you won’t really find anywhere else.
This is the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base but it is more popularly known as the “Boneyard.”
Katie Moore/Flickr
This space is home to a huge collection of old aircraft.
Airman Magazine/Flickr We’re talking more than 4,000 old military and NASA planes hanging out in the arid Sonoran desert just shy of the Rincon Mountains. In fact, it’s the largest of its kind in the world!
The planes that reside here for storage or scrap.
Phillip Capper/Flickr Some are merely kept around for spare parts, others are repaired for display, and others still are just waiting to fly again.
And the location here in the Tucson desert is perfect for long-term storage!
Katie Moore/Flickr The humidity is low year-round (to prevent mold), there are few rainy days (to prevent rust or floating away), and the soil type is sturdy enough to prevent the planes from sinking into the dirt during storage or moving.
The facility was established just seven months after World War II ended to house excess Air Force aircraft, like B-29s.
Phillip Capper/Flickr
In addition to the rows of identical planes, you’ll also come across some historical finds that stand out, like this old helicopter that you might recognize from footage from the Vietnam War.
Search Net Media/Flickr
There are also ones that look like pieces of art!
Alan Wilson/Flickr While most of the aircraft stored long-term are painted white to reflect the hot desert sun, this one saw new life as an artist’s canvas.
If you have some time to spare, check out this video from Arizona Public Media that gives a nice, detailed overview of the Boneyard.
Tours of the boneyard are available on weekdays from the Pima Air and Space Museum, located at 2720 S Craycroft Road, Tucson, AZ, 85707. Additional information can be found on their website, pimaair.org.
Katie Moore/Flickr
Airman Magazine/Flickr
We’re talking more than 4,000 old military and NASA planes hanging out in the arid Sonoran desert just shy of the Rincon Mountains. In fact, it’s the largest of its kind in the world!
Phillip Capper/Flickr
Some are merely kept around for spare parts, others are repaired for display, and others still are just waiting to fly again.
The humidity is low year-round (to prevent mold), there are few rainy days (to prevent rust or floating away), and the soil type is sturdy enough to prevent the planes from sinking into the dirt during storage or moving.
Search Net Media/Flickr
Alan Wilson/Flickr
While most of the aircraft stored long-term are painted white to reflect the hot desert sun, this one saw new life as an artist’s canvas.
If you have some time to spare, check out this video from Arizona Public Media that gives a nice, detailed overview of the Boneyard.
Want to find another fantastic southern Arizona find that you can visit this weekend? Check out our recent article, The Story Behind This Arizona Biodome Is Both Fascinating And Controversial.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Airplane Boneyard, 2720 S Craycroft Rd, Tucson, AZ 85707, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Airplane Boneyard In Arizona April 21, 2021 Marisa Roman What are the best little-known attractions in Arizona? Don’t you just love exploring those hidden gems in Arizona - ones that maybe don’t make it onto everyone else’s must-visit list? While it’s always nice to visit the more touristy places, especially on your first time through, we have a few little-known attractions that should also make your bucket list. For example, exploring a little-known park known as Bearizona is fun for the whole family. Meanwhile, Coal Mine Canyon is a hidden gem that offers beautiful views. Check out these 10 hidden places in Arizona worth checking out. What are the most unique places to visit in Arizona? There are quite a few fun and unique places to visit in Arizona on your next trip through. We love finding those weird and wonderful spots, whether it’s for overnight accommodations or quirky restaurants. Arizona has a lot of really strange yet unique places that are open to the public. For instance, these 10 incredible and unusual places in Arizona to visit will make for a really impressive road trip! Also, if you need some odd overnight ideas, check out these 10 quirky places to spend the night in Arizona. Where can I find the largest museum in Arizona? Beyond the mesmerizing aircraft museum in Arizona mentioned above, are there other museums in the state that are worth checking out? How about the largest of them all? Well, if you really want to spend the day exploring an incredible attraction, then check out the Phoenix Art Museum. As the largest museum for visual art in the southwestern United States, this museum clocks in at 285,000 square feet. What’s even cooler is that the museum changes up exhibits often, so visitors can explore rooms like the Firefly Room or the Infinity Mirror Room.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Airplane Boneyard In Arizona
April 21, 2021
Marisa Roman
What are the best little-known attractions in Arizona? Don’t you just love exploring those hidden gems in Arizona - ones that maybe don’t make it onto everyone else’s must-visit list? While it’s always nice to visit the more touristy places, especially on your first time through, we have a few little-known attractions that should also make your bucket list. For example, exploring a little-known park known as Bearizona is fun for the whole family. Meanwhile, Coal Mine Canyon is a hidden gem that offers beautiful views. Check out these 10 hidden places in Arizona worth checking out. What are the most unique places to visit in Arizona? There are quite a few fun and unique places to visit in Arizona on your next trip through. We love finding those weird and wonderful spots, whether it’s for overnight accommodations or quirky restaurants. Arizona has a lot of really strange yet unique places that are open to the public. For instance, these 10 incredible and unusual places in Arizona to visit will make for a really impressive road trip! Also, if you need some odd overnight ideas, check out these 10 quirky places to spend the night in Arizona. Where can I find the largest museum in Arizona? Beyond the mesmerizing aircraft museum in Arizona mentioned above, are there other museums in the state that are worth checking out? How about the largest of them all? Well, if you really want to spend the day exploring an incredible attraction, then check out the Phoenix Art Museum. As the largest museum for visual art in the southwestern United States, this museum clocks in at 285,000 square feet. What’s even cooler is that the museum changes up exhibits often, so visitors can explore rooms like the Firefly Room or the Infinity Mirror Room.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Don’t you just love exploring those hidden gems in Arizona - ones that maybe don’t make it onto everyone else’s must-visit list? While it’s always nice to visit the more touristy places, especially on your first time through, we have a few little-known attractions that should also make your bucket list. For example, exploring a little-known park known as Bearizona is fun for the whole family. Meanwhile, Coal Mine Canyon is a hidden gem that offers beautiful views. Check out these 10 hidden places in Arizona worth checking out.
What are the most unique places to visit in Arizona?
There are quite a few fun and unique places to visit in Arizona on your next trip through. We love finding those weird and wonderful spots, whether it’s for overnight accommodations or quirky restaurants. Arizona has a lot of really strange yet unique places that are open to the public. For instance, these 10 incredible and unusual places in Arizona to visit will make for a really impressive road trip! Also, if you need some odd overnight ideas, check out these 10 quirky places to spend the night in Arizona.
Where can I find the largest museum in Arizona?
Beyond the mesmerizing aircraft museum in Arizona mentioned above, are there other museums in the state that are worth checking out? How about the largest of them all? Well, if you really want to spend the day exploring an incredible attraction, then check out the Phoenix Art Museum. As the largest museum for visual art in the southwestern United States, this museum clocks in at 285,000 square feet. What’s even cooler is that the museum changes up exhibits often, so visitors can explore rooms like the Firefly Room or the Infinity Mirror Room.
