The Arboretum at Flagstaff is a 200-acre botanical garden and nature preserve located on Flagstaff‘s west side in Arizona. This guide covers hours, prices, parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips for planning your trip.
This guide was last updated in August 2026. Current adult admission is $14, up from the roughly $12 figure some travel sites still quote, and the 2026 season runs April 29 through October 25, with the site currently seeing increased traffic and smoky conditions from nearby fire operations.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Wednesday–Sunday, 9 am–4 pm (last admission 3:15 pm); closed Monday & Tuesday. Open late April through late October |
| Entry fee | Adults 18+: $14; youth 5–17: $8; children under 5 free; dogs (leashed): $2 |
| Parking | Free |
| Address | 4001 S Woody Mountain Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86005 |
| Nearest transport | Personal vehicle recommended; Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is about 20 minutes away |
| Typical visit length | 1.5 to 3 hours |
The Arboretum opening hours
The Arboretum is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9 am to 4 pm, with last admission at 3:15 pm; it’s closed Mondays and Tuesdays. For the 2026 season, it’s open from April 29 through October 25, and closed entirely through the winter months.
A daily Naturalist Walk runs at 11 am, subject to staff availability. There is no restaurant on-site, though snacks and drinks are sold in the visitor centre, and visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic.
5 great experiences around Flagstaff to book now
- 🏜️ Take a day tour to the natural wonders of Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.
- 🏙️ Go beneath the streets of Flagstaff on a historic underground walking tour.
- ☄️ Discover what came from space on a full rim tour of Meteor Crater.
- 👻 Learn the spooky tales behind Flagstaff’s historic buildings on an evening ghost tour.
- 🏞️ Take a tour of the Grand Canyon, with an expert guide and transport from Flagstaff.
The Arboretum ticket prices
General admission costs $14 for adults 18 and up, $8 for youth aged 5 to 17, and is free for children under 5. This was checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026.
Dogs on a leash are welcome for a $2 fee per dog. Admission is free all day on the site’s two annual native plant sale dates, held in July and September. Discounted general admission is available through the Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library’s Culture Pass, or with a SNAP card and photo ID. Members receive free admission year-round, along with discounts on classes and events. The Arboretum is not included in any bundled city pass scheme such as Go City or CityPASS.
How to get to The Arboretum
The Arboretum is located down Woody Mountain Road, about 3.7 miles south of Route 66 on Flagstaff’s west side. Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is roughly 20 minutes away by car.
The final stretch of Woody Mountain Road, about 1.7 miles, is unpaved and can be rough during wet or snowy weather, so reliable all-weather transportation is recommended. There is no public transit stop at the entrance.
Parking at The Arboretum
Parking is free in the lot at the entrance. Because the access road is partially unpaved, allow extra time for the drive, especially after rain or snow.
Check current conditions before visiting, since increased traffic and reduced visibility from nearby fire operations have affected the area recently.
How long to spend at The Arboretum
Most visitors spend 1.5 to 3 hours at The Arboretum, enough time to walk the garden displays, join the 11 am Naturalist Walk, and visit the raptor programs. Wildflower enthusiasts visiting during peak bloom season, from July through September, often linger longer to take in the full range of high-country blooms.
Photographers and repeat visitors sometimes plan around the shifting seasonal colour, since spring brings emerging blooms and fall brings a quick burst of colour before the first snow arrives.
Accessibility at The Arboretum
The Arboretum is a historic property in a natural setting, with grade changes, organic path surfaces, and snug garden areas that can be challenging for wheelchair users.
Visitors using a wheelchair are encouraged to ask at the visitor centre for a map of the more accessible areas of the grounds.
Inside The Arboretum
At 7,150 feet in elevation, The Arboretum is home to roughly 750 species of plants native to the high-desert Colorado Plateau, including an extensive regional collection of Penstemon. The grounds include historic buildings, gardens, greenhouses, wetlands, and woodland trails, all set against views of the San Francisco Peaks.
Daily live birds of prey programs showcase native raptors, and picnic areas are scattered throughout the grounds for visitors bringing their own food. The Arboretum also hosts seasonal events, including two native plant sales each year, concerts, nature and science talks, and a gift shop featuring local artists’ work. Its native plant nursery sells greenhouse-grown plants suited to Flagstaff’s high-elevation climate, popular with local gardeners.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit in the morning for cooler temperatures and to catch the 11 am Naturalist Walk. |
| Crowds | Weekends, especially during peak wildflower season, draw the largest crowds. |
| Layout | Gardens, greenhouses, and trails are spread across the 200-acre grounds near the visitor centre. |
| Entry process | Pay admission at the visitor centre; leashed dogs are welcome for an additional $2. |
| On-site logistics | Bring your own picnic, since there is no restaurant, only snacks and drinks on-site. |
Frequently asked questions about The Arboretum
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is there an admission fee? | Yes, $14 for adults, $8 for youth 5 to 17, and free for children under 5. |
| Is The Arboretum open year-round? | No, it’s open seasonally, from late April through late October. |
| Are dogs allowed? | Yes, on a leash, for a $2 fee per dog. |
| Is the site wheelchair accessible? | Partially; grade changes and natural path surfaces can be challenging in some areas. |
| Is there food available on-site? | Only snacks and drinks; there is no restaurant, so bringing a picnic is encouraged. |
Things to do near The Arboretum
- Downtown Flagstaff: historic Route 66 architecture, shops, and restaurants, about 15 to 20 minutes away.
- Museum of Northern Arizona: exhibits on regional geology, biology, and Native cultures, roughly 20 minutes’ drive.
- Lowell Observatory: a historic astronomical observatory with public stargazing, about 20 minutes away.
- Riordan Mansion State Historic Park: an Arts and Crafts-style mansion, roughly 20 minutes’ drive.
- Coconino National Forest trails: hiking and mountain biking trails surrounding the arboretum itself.
What to visit tomorrow
- Homolovi State Park: Ancestral Hopi archaeological sites near Winslow, about 1.5 hours away.
- Wupatki National Monument: red sandstone pueblo ruins, roughly an hour’s drive.
- Walnut Canyon National Monument: ancient cliff dwellings near Flagstaff, about 20 minutes away.
- Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument: a volcanic cinder cone and lava flows, roughly 20 minutes’ drive.
- Airport Scenic Overlook: a red rock overlook and hiking area in Sedona, about an hour away.
More Arizona travel
Other Arizona travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Guide to visiting the Meteor Crater between Winslow and Flagstaff.
- Getting to Flagstaff: The best stops on the Albquerque to Flagstaff drive and Gallup NM to Flagstaff drive.
- The best route from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon.
- Where to stop on the drive from Flagstaff to Williams.
- The best stops on Flagstaff to Kingman drive.
