Image of visitors walking along the Arboretum Waterway in the UC Davis Arboretum's Mediterranean Collection.

Visit and Explore

Important Parking Information

While the Arboretum and Public Garden does not operate its own parking lots, campus parking is available in visitor lots for daily parking ($15/day) on weekdays, and free on weekends and holidays. Parking may be purchased through the ParkMobile app or website. Learn more about ParkMobile.

Here for a short visit? Use permit dispensers  located in the Gateway Parking Structure, and visitor parking lots 1, 5 and 47 to purchase parking by the hour. Learn more about hourly parking rates.

Visit and Explore

The Arboretum and Public Garden includes the historic Arboretum — a 100-plus acre campus and regional amenity comprised of demonstration gardens and scientific collections — the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve — a rare stream and grassland ecosystem managed for teaching, research, wildlife and habitat protection — and the rest of our 5300-acre campus.

As specialists in sustainable landscape management and public engagement, and in support of our university’s environmental science expertise, we operate these areas as outdoor museums and living laboratories. Each holds opportunities for engaging and inspiring students to become environmental leaders, for the public to learn about the importance of sustainable gardening and natural land management practices, for visitors to informally explore the academic richness of UC Davis and so much more!

There is no charge to visit the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden; our gardens, natural areas and landscapes are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. We welcome families, visitors of all ages, even dogs on leashes. Learn more by dropping by the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden Headquarters; the office is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 5 p.m. 

    Visit the UC Davis Arboretum

    Visitor Map

    Check out the Arboretum visitor map which offers options for three different walking tours and includes suggested places to park for each.  Download the map.

    Parking

    While the Arboretum and Public Garden does not operate its own parking lots, campus parking is available in visitor lots for hourly (starting at $1.50 for the first hour) and daily parking ($12/day) on weekdays, and free on weekends and holidays. Parking may be purchased through the ParkMobile app or website. Visitors interested in hourly parking rates, be sure to use ParkMobile parking zone: 35200, otherwise, only the daily rates appear. Learn more

    Suggested starting points:

    Download the Arboretum's Visitor Map to see our 3 suggested loop trails.

    Picnic areas, restrooms and paths

    Accessibility Information

    The west end of the Arboretum and the Arboretum Terrace Garden (limited hours) at the east end of the Arboretum are level and most easily accessible to wheelchairs and people with limited mobility. Disability accommodations for programs will be provided with advanced notice. Please call 530-752-4880 or email your request to arboretum@ucdavis.edu at least two weeks in advance.

    We also offer PDFs of our educational exhibits for visitors with limited mobility. Click here to see a list of our destinations with downloadable exhibits

    Dogs

    For the safety of visitors and wildlife, dogs must stay on leash in the Arboretum.

    Ducks

    Feeding ducks, or any waterfowl, is NOT PERMITTED on the UC Davis campus.

    Visit the UC Davis Putah Creek Riparian Reserve

    Image of the UC Davis Putah Creek Riparian ReserveThe UC Davis Putah Creek Riparian Reserve is a 640-acre natural riparian and grassland ecosystem that runs along the southern edge of the UC Davis campus. Maintained and operated by the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden, the campus utilizes the Reserve for teaching and research purposes, wildlife and habitat protection, and community engagement.

    Visit the main UC Davis Putah Creek Riparian Reserve page for directions, parking information, rules, regulations and more.

    Yelp Reviews

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    UC Davis Arboretum scores 4.5 out of 5 stars on Yelp!

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