Garvan Woodland Gardens is the University of Arkansas’s botanical garden in Hot Springs, Arkansas, with wooded paths and garden features along Lake Hamilton. Plan time to explore its distinct areas, including an Asian garden, a children’s adventure garden and Anthony Chapel.
- Location: 550 Arkridge Road, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71913
- Regular hours: Open daily
- Online admission: $22 for adults ages 13 and up, $10 for children ages 4–12, and free for children ages 0–3
Where are Garvan Woodland Gardens and what can you expect?
Garvan Woodland Gardens sits in the Ouachita Mountains, with 210 acres of gardens and 4.5 miles of wooded Lake Hamilton shoreline. The setting brings together cultivated plantings, woodland scenery and water views.
Verna Cook Garvan donated the property to the University of Arkansas School of Architecture in 1985. The Gardens officially opened to the public with a dedication ceremony in 2002. Their mission includes preserving and enhancing the Ouachita environment, as well as supporting learning, research and cultural enrichment.
It’s a walking-tour garden, so expect to explore on foot. The grounds include named features such as the Perry Wildflower Overlook and Garvan Pavilion, designed by Fay Jones and Maurice Jennings. The Canopy Bridge, Koi Pond Meadow, Bridge of the Full Moon and Southern Inspiration Garden are also part of the garden landscape.
Which garden areas and features should you look for?
The garden’s named areas offer different settings to explore, from a waterfall in the Asian garden to a children’s adventure area with a cave and bridge.
The 4-acre Asian garden includes a 12-foot waterfall. Across the Gardens, more than 128 species of ornamental and native shrubs and wildflowers grow, including 160 types of azaleas.
Anthony Chapel is located within the Gardens. Architects Maurice Jennings and David McKee designed it. The Evans Children’s Adventure Gardens cover 1.5 acres and include a waterfall, cave and iron bridge.
What should you know about admission and accessibility?
Garvan Woodland Gardens offers free parking, and the grounds accommodate wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs and strollers, though some paths can be challenging to navigate.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 9 AM–6 PM
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
In-person admission is $30 for adults ages 13 and up, $15 for children ages 4–12, and free for children ages 0–3. Online admission is $22 for adults ages 13 and up, $10 for children ages 4–12, and free for children ages 0–3; rates are subject to change. Garvan Woodland Gardens ticket prices and entry options vary by purchase method.
Handicap parking is in the middle bay of the parking lot, across from the Pratt Welcome Center entrance. Visitors who need a wheelchair should bring their own; a few are available to borrow on a first-come basis.
Some paths are paved, while some paths designated ADA accessible are packed gravel that can be difficult for someone pushing a wheelchair. A complete tour includes both surfaces. Guided golf-cart tours are available for visitors with limited mobility for $20 per person and cannot be reserved.
Bicycles, skateboards, roller blades and roller skates are not allowed in the walking-tour garden.
How do you plan the drive from Hot Springs?
Garvan Woodland Gardens is about a 4.8-mile drive from Lotus by Hotel Inn, making it a regional outing from a Hot Springs hotel base. The garden’s Lake Hamilton shoreline and wooded grounds are a change of setting from the city.
Before you go: Hours and admission can change, so check the official site before you go.
A day that combines the gardens with other Hot Springs stops can follow a one-day Hot Springs itinerary.
FAQs
How much time should you set aside for Garvan Woodland Gardens?
The Gardens are a walking-tour garden across 210 acres, with 4.5 miles of wooded shoreline and several named areas. The full tour includes both paved and packed-gravel paths.
Can you bring a wheelchair or stroller?
Yes. Wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs and strollers are allowed. Some packed-gravel paths may be difficult for someone pushing a wheelchair, and a few wheelchairs are available to borrow on a first-come basis.
Are bicycles allowed at Garvan Woodland Gardens?
No. Bicycles, skateboards, roller blades and roller skates are not allowed in the walking-tour garden.