Garvan Woodland Gardens
4.7(924)google
4.6(292)yelp
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Overview
Garvan Woodland Gardens is a 210-acre (85 ha) botanical garden and woodland garden located at 550 Arkridge Road, approximately 6 miles from Hot Springs National Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States. Owned by the University of Arkansas, it has the stated mission of education, research and public service. For an admission fee, it is open daily, except on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and the month of January.
Practical Info
Mon9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tue9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wed9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thu9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Fri9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sat9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sun9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Suggested Duration2.5-4 hours
Best TimeLate March to April for the spectacular million-tulip festival or November-December for the massive outdoor winter holiday light display. Entering between 2:30 PM and 5:30 PM is highly strategic; the low afternoon sun streams through the pine canopy to cast mesmerizing shadow-work inside the legendary glass-and-timber Anthony Chapel.
Getting ThereOperated by the University of Arkansas at 550 Arkridge Road. Drive south from Hot Springs on Central Ave, turn left east onto AR-290 E, and follow it for 6 miles. Turn left onto Arkridge Road at the grand stone monument sign straight into the botanical garden's sprawling, complimentary paved parking plazas.
Travel Tips
- As an elite botanical sanctuary operated by the University of Arkansas, the gardens enforce a strict no-pets rule outside designated 'Pooch Pass' event dates. Animals enclosed in carrying bags or left inside parked vehicles are blocked at the turnstiles.
- During the annual winter Holiday Lights festival, massive traffic volume saturates the narrow peninsular entry lanes, causing miles of total deadlock. Visitors must secure half-hour timed-entry e-tickets weeks in advance and leave the city 60 minutes ahead of their window.
Photo Tips
Photo Rules
- Utilizing DSLR setups, external speedlights, heavy tripods, or reflectors for commercial portraiture, bridal portfolios, or media capturing requires a formal paid Media Permit at the admissions gate. Unlicensed shooting results in immediate ticket forfeiture and expulsion.
Reviews
Positive
- A world-class botanical garden flanked by water, showcasing breathtaking expanses of azaleas, Japanese maples, and ornate historic bridges.
- Features the legendary Anthony Chapel—a soaring glass-and-wood architectural wonder that looks absolutely divine as sunlight filters through.
- Thoughtfully offers chauffeured golf cart tours for seniors and mobility-impaired guests, allowing a comfortable ride across the rolling grounds.
- Boasts an epic multi-million dollar children's treehouse adventure garden with winding elevated wooden ramps and fossil digging pits.
Heads up
- The ticket prices are quite steep, ranking among the priciest gardens in Arkansas, and outside picnic food is strictly forbidden on lawns.
- Because Anthony Chapel is a premier wedding hot-spot, it closes frequently on weekends for private ceremonies, leaving regular tourists locked out.
- The walking paths are long and feature constant steep undulating inclines, making the full foot tour physically exhausting for some seniors.
- The famous Winter Holiday Lights festival causes absolute traffic gridlock on the narrow access roads, leading to grueling hours of waiting in cars.