Garvan Woodland Gardens

For anyone wanting to visit from out of town, I highly recommend this place. I went with my family this summer and I loved seeing all the green vibrant trees, the famous glass chapel, and the tree house. Luckily it wasn't as hot in the beginning of August when we went there. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours enjoying what nature has to offer here. Just wear some nice comfy shoes. You can donate some money in exchange for some food you'll be able to feed at the koi pond. I recommend buying tickets in advance, but it's not necessary. Overall it's a really nice place to visit.

Absolutely beautiful. It was one of the highlights of our trip. We did the golf cart tour of the main gardens and it was great. The guide gave inside information about how the gardens are maintained, what each section is about, and points of interesting things you might just walk right past. When you walk up to the Chapel just go ahead and be prepared to have your breathe taken away. It is absolutely gorgeous.

We were just here and it’s absolutely beautiful and peaceful here. The paths are awesome and the scenery is amazing. I may want to see this again sometime when it’s cooler and not the middle of July. The little waterfalls and small streams are peaceful and the paths are natural cobblestone concrete and some are stone/mortar. If you enjoy a combination of hilly and wooded nature with nicely designed trails this is a must see. It’s about 200 acres with a restaurant and gift/souvenir shop so this could be an all day event if you wanted. (Make sure you don’t visit with a really full stomach lol). Lots of path too .

This isn't a place that you visit just once! We recently went for the peak tulip season but, have also visited in the summer as well as at Christmas. It was absolutely beautiful each time. Who knew there were so many types of tulips. We are senior citizens and it is a lot of walking for us, but there are lots of benches and we just go at our own pace. The tulips and other flowers were absolutely stunning during our current visit. You can follow Garvan Woodland Garden on Facebook to keep up with the tulips progress, so can time your visit. This would be such a great place for photo opportunities for engagement pictures etc., The Christmas Lights at night were magical. It was cold and rainy, but we were able to pay a little more and have a golf cart tour. We loved it! Don't forget the Hot Chocolate. It was the perfect finish to our merry night. We are not from Hot Springs, so we made our Christmas trip an overnighter. We stayed at the Arlington, so we had the beautiful lights in downtown Hot Springs as well as the Gardens. There is a cafe and Gift Store at the entrance to the Gardens. We didn't eat at the Cafe but, found some great t-shirts and the gift store. There are plenty of clean restrooms.

Garvan Gardens was everything magical and the chapel was the absolute best. Peaceful gardens even in the restless Arkansas heat. Blooms, lush and gorgeous foliage. We enjoyed refreshments at the chipmunk cafe and we shared a Gatorade and frozen lemonade. Anthony chapel was absolutely breath taking, a wedding was taking place later in the afternoon so we stopped in quickly. We completed the bingo card and that was a cute way to see all of the destinations The restrooms along the travel had complimentary water, a misting station and air conditioning.

Buy tickets on the website for cheaper tickets. Beautiful, huge garden! The tulips were absolutely stunning! Definitely go see it in the spring when the tulips and Easter lilies are in full bloom! There is a walk up restaurant in the garden. The restaurant was in the process of closing when we walked up there and still served us. Great restaurant staff! However, when walking into the gift shop the lady behind the counter was pretty rude to the customers and argumentative. The chapel closes at least 15-30 minutes early so if you plan on seeing that make sure you get there in plenty of time. If not, the guard will very rudely kick you out. You won't be able to stay on the path either to just get a picture. He will follow you to the exit rope. I'm glad the chapel and the gift shop were the last things we saw because if I had experienced all of those attitudes when I first walked in then I would have demanded a full refund for all 5 of us. So overall a beautiful place, the kids playground has much to be desired. It's hard to believe they spent that amount of money for a rope section and wood structure that no one can really play in. Pretty but a waste of space and money. The staff needs a Dale Carnage course on how to communicate with customers.

Garvan Woodland Gardens is an enchanting 210‑acre botanical gem nestled on Lake Hamilton’s shoreline. With winding woodland paths, vibrant seasonal blooms, and architectural marvels like the Anthony Chapel and redwood pavilion, it feels like stepping into a fairy‑tale. Kids love the treehouse, waterfall cave, and hidden fairy‑rock scavenger hunt, while adults will appreciate the peaceful overlooks and serene bonsai and Japanese gardens. Whether you’re after tranquil nature, stunning photo ops, or family fun, Garvan delivers a magical escape.

What a fabulous find when we first moved to the area! We’ve been here 4 times in the last year and it’s always beautiful, especially during the Xmas season. I highly recommend a Xmas time visit, you’ve never seen such an amazingly huge Xmas lights display, truly wonderful.

Visiting Garvin Woodland Gardens to see their Christmas light display was by far one of the most magical, happy accidents of my entire day trip to Hot Springs, Arkansas. Coming over from Memphis, upon the recommendation of one of the bathhouse workers, we purchased tickets to see the Christmas light display while in town for the Thanksgiving holiday. I absolutely love visiting botanical gardens, but when you combine Christmas lights, something magical truly happens. And this display was hands-down one of the best I have ever experienced. For $20 per person, we had the opportunity to spend the evening walking through the gardens and being in awe of the variety of lights and displays. I loved that we were able to purchase some hot cocoa before we began our stroll and savor it while we took in the lights. The flow and layout of the path was phenomenal, and easy to follow. If you live in the area or find yourself traveling to Hot Springs anytime during the holiday season, I would highly highly recommend giving this place a visit.

If I had to have a wedding all over again, I would drag everyone I knew to Arkansas to get married in the Anthony Chapel at Garvan Woodland Gardens. This chapel, which sits in the middle of a beautiful, green wooded area, is breathtaking. I don't think I have ever used the word "breathtaking" in a review, but I will pop my breathtaking cherry here for this chapel. Step inside, and you will feel at peace and one with nature. It's all windows that look out onto trees and flowers. It's a lovely place to just sit and think, and I imagine it would be an even lovelier place to get married. Kids and families will especially love the tree house that's located in the children's area. It's a huge structure set among the trees that you can climb into. Below the treehouse is the children's garden, with wide stepping stones that lead to the water, little hidey holes to hide in, and boulders to climb. Now, before you send your child off to hide in a hole, just know that I saw a snake chilling by the rocks near water at one point. I was told by staff that the snake was just a run-of-the-mill snake and wasn't venomous, but still! There's a little bit of nature here, and it sometimes likes to hang out in places you might not expect. There's also an area with a miniature train, a Japanese garden, lots of trails, lookouts, peaceful places to listen to the water, and open areas with soft grass to run around. Garvan is huge and you will do a lot of walking. But if walking isn't your thing, I believe they have golf carts and staff can drive you around. They also rent strollers for kids.

We visited here during The Christmas / new year eve , aint bad , kids love and enjoyed it !

Friends & I attended Mrs Garvin's tea one afternoon. Tea, sandwiches & desserts were very good. Two of the 3 teas were good; not in favor of green tea. Mrs. Garvin tells a very informative history with some humor. The only suggestion is she should move around the room a little. Our table on her left side & slightly behind had difficulty hearing everything.

This place is so beautiful. I was on vacation and walked it all with a sprained ankle but it was worth it. Amazing photo ops.

I wasn't sure what to expect when we first arrived because gardens can be amazing or boring...but this is a beautiful place with much to see! The grounds are meticulously taken care of and there is plenty to view from cool buildings to little fairy villages. Make sure you go down the path to the children's garden because the tree house and area around it is worth the walk. It is also a very short walk to the chapel from the parking lot (make sure you do that!) The chapel is free so you don't have to pay to go into the gardens to see the chapel, but I personally enjoyed the gardens and would suggest a visit. They were also setting up Christmas lights so I bet this is an awesome place to come in the winter too! A little tip.. buy your tickets ONLINE because it's saves you $5 per ticket. We didn't realize that and could have saved some $.

Beautiful spot. Tickets online are $5.00 cheaper. Great gardens, walkways, bridges, paths and. Glass chapel.

We really enjoyed our trip here. My back has been bothering me do we opted for the golf car tour. Joe was our driver and he was delightful. He had lots of information about the history of the garden and the area and insights into the different sections. He got us out of the car at a couple of picture spots for pictures of us, which was a nice touch. Riding with him made the visit very informative and I'm glad we did it. We visited in July and the gardens we beautiful. I'd guess in doting when the tulips and daffodils are blooming it is spectacular

My favorite garden I've ever been too. My kids (teenage boys) were even impressed! There was something to see around every corner!

Bountiful and beautiful grounds. Such a great value. I would absolutely return. Gorgeous plants. Tons of walkways and trails. Stunning architecture.

STUNNING! If you are in the area this is a must visit. The views are amazing while walking through here and there is so much to explore. The chapel is GORGEOUS! I would definitely visit again.

We went for the Christmas lights display and loved it! They opened at 4 and we arrived around 4:30, but I would recommend waiting until later to let it get dark. Beautiful colors, themes, photo opportunities, and hot chocolate available as well! The Chapel is stunning and especially in the evening!

We did the golf cart tour and thoroughly enjoyed our host. He was very knowledgeable and entertaining. The gardens were beautiful and with all the hills there is no way I'd be able to have walked it. The Japanese gardens, fairy gardens and the treehouse area were our favorites.

What an enjoyable escape from the downtown area. The gardens were beautiful and peaceful. Highly recommend.

Wow, it's beautiful and so scenic. It was a bit pricy, but worth it. Lots of parking and lots of walking. I enjoyed the visit so much and look forward to returning next time I'm in the area.

You have to like heat and walking to go here. It's pretty, but poorly marked trails will have you frustrated and lost in the heat without any shade or rescue. The treehouse is nice, and there is certainly a lot to see, but opt for the "golf cart tour" and you will probably be more comfortable. Snack bar charges $2.50 for a can of soda.

A trip to Garvan Woodland Gardens is a MUST if you're ever in Hot Springs, AR. It's perfect for all ages since you can walk through all the gardens at your own pace. There are also plenty of paved pathways for those w/ strollers or wheelchairs & restrooms onsite. Do give yourself a few hours+ to see it all & bring snacks to help keep that pep in your step :), Even though, this is a popular spot for visitors, it never felt crowded, which was awesome. On the day we visited, we didn't get a chance to see the beautiful Anthony Chapel since it was closed to the public & reserved for a wedding ceremony but we did get to check out the super cool The Evans Treehouse. ~Rebecca out

Beautiful gardens that can take you away for four hours or more. This garden is enormous with many walking paths and breathtaking views of Lake Hamilton and nature. The immaculately groomed pathways and the wild dirt pathways offer two ways to experience the garden. There are many signs all around along with a gift shop, plant sales, cafe, and sitting areas. You can easily spend your entire day exploring or a few hours at the highlights. Don't forget to save time for the architectural masterpieces created by designers and the University of Arkansas. Well worth the $20 ticket price. You can get coupons for $1 off in local travel brochures.

Garvan Woodland Gardens was our ultimate destination for a quick road trip. We had hoped to see the tulips as they started "waking up" but were a few weeks too early. Take note of that last sentence, we can 3-4 weeks early and most all the tulips and many other flowers were still "sleeping." However.... Garvan Woodland Gardens was truly spectacular, even as it was more barren with spring having not arrived just yet. The grounds themselves are gorgeous - all the time, the energy, the upkeep and the maintenance of trails, bridges, structures, and sitting areas - holy cow. There were so many areas that deserve a write up, in and of themselves. The landscaping, the trails, the rock formations and waterfalls were spectacular. This place is quite honestly a hidden gem. Our favorite, even without the majesty of fields and fields of tulips? The Children's area was incredible. Just the details and architecture of this a-mah-zing treehouse was unbelievable. I took soooo many pictures. Take a look. The attention to detail and big and small elements - so creative and playful. We thoroughly enjoyed our day here. It was great to be able to bring the pups with us, experience the beauty of this magical place and let them smell all the billions of scents offered here. We even saw a male and female peacock on our way out - gorgeous. And speaking of, as you leave, don't forget to stop by the chapel and clock tower. Holy cow. These are both incredible architectural structures, in their own rights. Add this to your list and plan to depend the day. You won't be disappointed.

Very friendly and informative staff. This place is really beautiful and we kept. The architectural structures are really something to see. They are absolutely stunning.

So this place is pretty awesome. It's a garden path with Japanese elements. Most of the path is paved but there are steps and steep places so it's not friendly to all people. There are very nice creeks and ponds. One pond has gigantic Koi fish in it. There was a lake view and there was one more path but it was gravel-lined and just too hot to explore. There is also a chapel in the park and it's beautiful. Provided nothing is going on, you can go inside. It is airconditioned as well. Parking was pretty easy though it was filling up at the time we got there. I really liked this one. I'd come back.

We walked through these beautiful gardens today. Highly recommend you plan to do this while you're in Hot Springs. Since we visited in November they were setting up their winter holiday lights exhibit which looks like it will be spectacular. If we had timed it right that would have probably been the best way to experience this. Wear sneakers! This place is WAY bigger than I realized. I was wearing sandals and my feet were okay, but if I had known what I was getting myself into I would have definitely been more comfortable in running shoes etc. After walking 4-5 miles we noticed the smart people had waited for a driver to take them on a tour. That would definitely be recommended for elderly/mobility challenged.

I discover Garvan gardens years ago and it still is one of my favorite places when I go to hot springs! The garden itself is amazing to see and tour. So many reasons to come here by yourself or with friends or with family. Different seasons has different feel. I love seeing this Anthony Chapel during the holidays because of the Christmas tree! But it's gorgeous anytime of the year. They have the Christmas lights installation show every year. It changed over time but still worth a visit to enjoy the beautiful gardens.

Very beautiful. Garden is very large. It would take more than a day to see it. Staff we countered were all nice. I would highly recommend!!

Rain Rain And more rain The scanners were down Wet Muddy It was pretty Pretty soaked! I'd rather try it when it was dry Koi pond was beautiful

What an amazing experience I had at these beautiful gardens. we spent the day there watching the eclipse & we were not disappointed. There is so much to see. It would likely have been a good idea to take a tour on the golf cart because my parents found pushing me in the wheelchair a bit too challenging for some of the areas, but nevertheless we were there for the eclipse & spent the moments of totality by the bell tower. I will never forget this. Awe inspiring & it nearly brought me to tears. I hope to return someday to fully immerse in the splendor of the gardens & architecture, but I loved my day spent there immensely.

This place was phenomenal! We were greeted by a knowledgeable woman who showed us how to get around. We started walking on the paved and crushed paths. It was daytime but they were getting ready for their Christmas display and it was gorgeous. It was enchanting. The weather may have helped- clear blue skies? The bridges, the waterfalls, the lakes, some flowers... just a wonderful wonderful well maintained place. The tree house was clever. The Anthony Chapel was unbelievable! My only two suggestions would be to add tree and plant markers, subtly. And, the route is not well marked. I am not thinking about getting lost. I'm thinking about marking the paths subtly so it's clear which way to go so as to not miss a thing! Maybe mark the road and tell people to follow the red markers to cover the main loop, follow yellow markers for side loops that will lead you back to the main red loop. The only distracting thing was having to check the map periodically. I'd rather just come to a fork in the road and somehow know which way to go by looking at the road or a sign. The stay to the left does not work haha! It's obvious so much care goes into these gardens! Wow!

Highly recommend even on a cold semi-rainy day in February. My one disappointment was that we were told the chapel was closed for the day for a private wedding. I checked online before we went and it was open. If you are looking forward to the chapel call ahead to make sure you can view it. Everything else was worth the money and the time. Looking forward to returning when the tulips are in bloom.

I've been to many botanical gardens, and this isn't the most grand. It's more like a nature reserve. But there are a lot of neat bridges, architectural pieces, and bodies of water. Pretty koi pond with HUGE fish. Fun sculptures. The Anthony Chapel is beautiful. Built as a joint venture of inside and outside/wilderness. A must see. The staff were kind and super helpful. Entrance into the garden proper is around 20 dollars, but the chapel and bell tower are free. Plenty of parking. Lots of places to rest. Fairly accessible for the disabled.

Always something to see here. Christmas is not my favorite time, but it is an amazing display. The rest of the year usually is quiet and un-crowded. If you're into gardens and flowers this is your kind of place

$15 entrance fee...Very nice and helpful staff! The place is huge you can literally make this an all day thing if you want. Beautiful scenery, beautiful places to take pictures and go off trail and enjoy nature. This is an excellent place to ground yourself and meditate! I was able to see a few flowers bloom but I can image how gorgeous the scenery looks with all the flowers during spring and for fall! A must stop if you come to Hot Springs. This place is an absolutely gem and I have nothing but great things to say! Treehouse and Chapel are a must stop along the way. So glad I got the chance to check it out on my last day in Arkansas!

This place is the most amazing park I have ever been in!! Well thought out landscaping and preservation. Thoughtful integrated artwork and pets are welcome!! This was definitely worth the trip!!

There is so many things to do in Hot Springs and visiting Garvan Woodland Gardens was a highlight. Some areas of the garden were under construction when I visited. Beautiful bridges and waterfall throughout the garden. Every section of the garden is different and unique. There is a children's (and adults) treehouse area, which is pretty neat. Also, an area of model train area. There is a big Pavilion with big running fans for those days that are very hot and you just want to rest. Across from the garden, there is a nice little beautiful Chapel. The Chapel are closed when there is a wedding. The day I went, we were able to go inside the Chapel. Great for kids and adults who love nature and walks. This place has a lot to see and worth checking out.

We got to see the christmas lights display. Though during this time not all trails are available to go down. Many are blocked off for the season. Definitely still worth the time slowly wandering.

Toured the gardens today. We had a limited amount of time, so opted for the golf cart tour. We had a terrific tour guide, James. He was very knowledgeable about the gardens. He's a master gardener himself and was very familiar with all the plants and the history of the area. He was awesome. The scenery was beautiful! The landscaping was magical. However, it was not a good time of year. We had missed the tulips and daffodils, the dogwoods and redbuds. Not much was blooming. Very disappointed that we were not able to see more blooms. You might want to check on what's blooming before you visit. The chapel was astoundingly beautiful. $20.00 entrance $20.00 for golf course tour.

Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous place. Highly recommend walking through and a good scenic little stroll.

Garvan Woodland Gardens is a 210-acre botanical garden located 6 miles from Hot Springs National Park. It features rocky inclines reminiscent of the surrounding Ouachita Mountains, floral landscapes, streams, and waterfalls in a natural woodland setting. Went around 10 am on Sunday and parked and stood in the small line outside assuming to buy tickets but not sure why they let every one for free. Numerous attractions are on the grounds including architectural structures like the Anthony Chapel, the Bob and Sunny Evans Treehouse, and botanical landscapes offering breathtaking sights and great photo opportunities. Pros: ------- Peaceful Free parking Cafe in the garden Great for photoshoots and Weddings pets are allowed with a fee Good Trails Anthony chapel is beautiful Waterfall Cons: -------- None to me

This was a great two and a half hours. So many different gardens, waterfalls, rock paths, serenity circle. Plus a wooden chapel to end your visit.

I echo everyone here when I say Garvan Gardens is a must see place. This place was the highlight of my recent trip to Hot Springs. It's such a peaceful place to visit. It's very spacious so you don't see overcrowding or feel like you're infringing upon someone else's space. There's plenty to do: you can hike, grab a bite at the Café, check out the different sites, or my favorite - sit down and just take it all in. Of course Anthony Chapel is the most exciting place there, but there's still so many other things to see and experience.

This is definitely worth the money it's beautiful, full of activities, and what a sight of a windows in the Chapel!

Peaceful. Tranquil. Excellently maintained. These gardens are good for the soul and made me feel healthier in every sense. We stayed 2 hours but would have stayed longer if we had the time. I was surprised at how large it was, and there were areas we didn't even cover! With a 7 year old, there were elements that kept her interest such as the children's garden and koy pond where we enjoyed feeding the fish and getting up close and personal. The southern garden was a way of learning about new plants also. It was educational! The best botanical garden I've ever visited. I noticed there was an intimate wedding taking place and it really does seem like the ideal venue for such an occasion. On a warm sunny Sunday, it did not at all feel overcrowded. Plenty of privacy and long stretches without crossing paths with other guests. So nice!

Beautiful. Proposed to my fiancée there. Wonderfully maintained. Not overcrowded at all. Incredible scenery that seems to go on for miles.

Beautiful place if you haven't check it out, do yourself a favour and do so! Great job Garvan woodland Gardens

This is always my favorite stop when I'm traveling to Hot Springs. So much beauty and detail to attention. Great areas for kids to play. I usually spend over 5 hours here when I visit.

Beautiful surroundings. Tons of trails. Animals, flowers, water views and structures to see! One thing I recommend is a little more clear map.

We had no idea this place was so beautiful and also how large it is! Make sure to bring plenty of water if you plan on walking the whole grounds. The chapel was hosting a wedding so we couldn't go inside, but plan on heading back to see the inside before we head home.

We went to Garvan Woodland Gardens to see Christmas lights and this was by far my favorite Christmas light tour I've taken this holiday season. It was absolutely beautiful!

Had a not-so-cool experience here. We visited with just a half-hour until closing. Not only was there zero flexibility in admission prices $50 with little time remaining, but the clerk was just acting like a **** anyway. She was rude, she ripped us off, and talked to us like we couldn't obviously see where we were going, like we were completely lost. We only wanted to see the treehouse. It was ok. Nothing extravagant. If I was clerk, maybe half off with little time left. But oh well, greedy grumpy old ladies, is what it is. Anyway, just go to the Anthony Chapel- it's free. It's beautiful. Skip the main park.

This is a very large woodland property that could highlight more native species. They seem to have focused on hardscaping much more, which makes photographing the scenery less appealing. It's fantastic for weddings and events. The hyacinth smelled amazing, but it would've been nice to see wild hyacinth as well and less Asian plant influence. We were hoping for a more educational, Arkansas/Ozarks-centric experience with more labeling of plant species. It is an amazing effort by volunteers, but we are unclear about the mission of the garden.