Garvan Woodland Gardens

This is not your average botanical garden. You're walking through a forest filled with a variety of different trees and shrubs that are blooming and changing color through every season. There are many creeks, waterfalls, bridges, and rock fomations that are all different. It sits on a peninsula , and you get views of Lake Hamilton in some areas. There's plenty for the children with a model train area. A fairy garden. A Sculpture garden with huge rock formations that create tunnels and caves and a waterfall that you can walk behind. They have a tulip festival in the spring, with thousands of tulips in every color. Their Christmas lights festival is absolutely stunning. So many unique settings in beautiful lights Things I've not seen anywhere else. I would guess it's at least a 2 mile walk. For Christmas, 2025 adult admission is $22. When purchased online and $30 at the door. If you live nearby, a one year membership for 2 people is only $75.

Love this place. So beautiful and peaceful. Wide variety of trees and plants very well organized for an enjoyable stroll and immaculately landscaped. Lots of spots for photo opportunities and the staff is great. Very welcoming and professional. Highly recommend. Also, there are golf carts available for those who have trouble walking, along with a guide that answers all of your questions.

Went here with my mom and it was definitely worth it. Got to see the beautiful chapel before a wedding. After we saw the chapel we went into the garden and it was beautiful as well. There was a tree house you can go into and a cave with a waterfall to go into as well. Honestly my mom and I spent most of our time playing around in there. Lol. The chapel was free to visit as long as there is no wedding going on and the garden was $22 to get in when you buy the tickets online and $30 at the gate. In the garden there is a cafe called Chipmuck Cafe that has good food as well. If your in the Hot Springs area of Arkansas, definitely check this place out.

We visited Garvan Woodland Gardens for the Christmas lights and had such a wonderful evening. The walk through the gardens all lit up was absolutely magical—beautiful, impressive displays that still let you catch glimpses of the natural charm of the park itself. The free hot chocolate was a cozy bonus, and admission included access to the Anthony Chapel, which is truly breathtaking and an absolute must-see if you’re in Hot Springs. Overall, a very enjoyable and memorable night. Tip: Buy your tickets online ahead of time—you’ll save over $8 per ticket!

We purchased a membership earlier this spring and made our first trip for Holiday Lights today. It was spectacular! The way the lights reflected off the waterfalls and ponds was simply beautiful. And, did I mention that hot chocolate is included for any ticketed or member visitor? Yummy! Speaking of yummy, don’t sleep on the Chipmunk Cafe! The flavor of the chipotle steak quesadilla was awesome and could rival any local restaurant! We’ve found that some places (like the Little Rock Zoo) charge extra for special events, even those with memberships. So, it was refreshing to discover there was no additional fee for members and that members would be allowed inside even if the general admission tickets sold out. We’ll be back when the flowers begin to bloom in March!

It was our first time checking out the gardens and we opted for a golf cart tour, our tour guide Dalton was the best. He was super informative, knew stories about every location and really made the $20/person fee worth it, we had a couple cart tours pass us while we were on ours and I'm glad ours wasn't rushed. Make sure you buy the tickets to get into the garden online you save $8/person. Unfortunately there was a private event at the chapel when we went so we couldn't check out that but everything else was very cool. Next time we go we will walk it since we got the over view on the golf cart tour.

We came for the Christmas light display, and it was such a wonderful family experience. The displays are so imaginitive and dynamic. There are many places to stop for photos. You get free hot chocolate upon entering, and then there are several places along the way to buy snacks. The main event, of course, is the giant triple tree display that lights up to a compilation of Christmas songs. Tip: do not wait until 7pm to get there. We had a long wait in traffic to make it into the park. And buy your tickets online before you go! They had sold out.

The winter lights were wonderful. Folks have put in a lot of effort putting it together. Can easily spend an hour or two taking pictures and walking the trail with a hot cup of cocoa. Recommend getting tickets beforehand as they run out and also getting there early as there are a lot of people visiting, especially over the holidays.

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.