Ready to Walk?
Start at the Visitors Center and walk one or more 30-minute trails of your choice:
- 1-mile round trip to the tranquil Japanese Garden
- Paved half-mile round trip Parkwoods Trail to see display gardens on the original 140-acre Daweswood property
- Paved 1-mile round trip Dogwood Trail through the Deep Woods (walk past the Main Shelter House toward the Log Cabin)
Want to Drive?
Drive the 4-mile Auto Tour, starting at the roundabout.
The North and South Loops of the Auto Tour give access to nine tree collections. The tour also leads you by the Japanese Garden, the Daweswood House Museum, the History Center, the Dawes Memorial, the Deep Woods, the hedge letters and Dawes Lake.
Segments of the Auto Tour are one-way traffic. Parking is available to stop and explore before continuing. An audio tour narration is available below.
Two-Hour Tour
- Hike the 2.75-mile Lake Trail to the Observation Tower and back for a bird’s eye view of the famous Dawes Arboretum Hedge Letters and Dawes Lake. See how many Tree Dedicator plaques you can find!
- Or Take a self-guided plant tour. Head over to the Science page and click on Arboretum Explorer, then click tours!
Half-Day Tour
- Visit Arboretum East to experience more challenging trails in a rustic landscape.
- Or Drive beyond our main grounds to discover additional unique trails, habitats and picnic shelters. Seek wetland creatures and a prairie at the Dutch Fork Wetlands. Find a pine woods, meadows, pond, wetland and stream at the Red Barn Reserve.
- Bring your own picnic lunch. Picnic tables are scattered throughout the grounds. Patios and covered shelters are available for public use unless reserved.
Please note: Trash cans are available on the Visitors Center Deck and at the Main Shelter House. Restrooms are available at the Visitors Center and near the Main Shelter House.