Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

The Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is a 120-acre property with an interesting history. From about 1944 to 1961, the Humphries Gold Mining Company operated strip mines in this area of Jacksonville. Despite its name, Humphries did not mine for gold here but for minerals to make titanium. These mining activities severely impacted soils and vegetation in parts of the Jacksonville Arboretum, but these areas are recovering. In the early 1970s as a condition to an EPA Grant for building the Arlington East treatment facility, the City of Jacksonville purchased the property as a passive recreation and open space buffer around the treatment plant. For the next 30 years, however, the property went unused and was sometimes abused by illegal dumping.

In 2004, a group of citizens began discussions with the City to lease the property for recreational use as an arboretum. The lease was worked out, and the Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens officially opened to the public in November 2008. At the time the Arboretum opened, there was a paved parking area, the Lake Loop, Jones Creek and Ravine trails. All of the trails, benches, board walks, and picnic tables in the Arboretum were built by volunteers from the community.

Plan Your Visit

Become a Member

Find peace and connect with nature at our 136-acre reserve of award-winning nature trails and gardens.

1445 Millcoe Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32225
Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last entry at 4:30 p.m.
(904) 318-4342
Regular Admission: $3 per person Children 3 years and under: Free
Dogs welcome on leash

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Glowing Gardens

The Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is excited to introduce our inaugural solo holiday light show, Glowing Gardens! Step into a Floridian winter wonderland this holiday season and join us for a month-long celebration that transforms the Arboretum into a mesmerizing display of lights, sculptures, and more!

Friday, November 29 through Sunday, December 29

5:30 PM to 9:00 PM

$22 Adult (18+)
$19 Child (4-17)
Groups of 10+, contact info@jacksonvillearboretum.org for special discount.

Learn More

MEMBERSHIP

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY AND ENJOY YEAR-LONG PERKS AT JABG

Explore Member Benefits

A butterfly landing on a flower in a green meadow

A recently married couple holding flowers

Host an Event

The Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is a 136-acre, beautiful picturesque property. Centered around a gorgeous, gleaming lake, it offers natural trails with creeks and 13 different eco-systems. Only 10 mins from downtown, this ideal venue is in Arlington, just off of 295 on the east side of the city.

Book Venue

Photography

Reservations and fees will be required for professional photographers. Guidelines for each category can be found on the photography policy page.

Photography should not interfere with the enjoyment of other guests and should not create any safety concerns. Please stay on paths or designated visitor areas to avoid damage to plants.

No photographs of identifiable people may be taken nor shared with others without the written consent of each person photographed.

Permit & Policy Info

Book Session

A stone and metal bench in front of a lake with a forest

A family observing plants with a magnifying glass

Field Trips & Educational Programs

An arboretum is a garden with a focus on trees. Our arboretum is so much more! With 7 natural trails and 13 different eco systems, we are the perfect place to learn about science and nature.

We have an admission price of $3/person – children under 3 are free. For Title One schools the rate is reduced to $1/person. Tour guides are available based on availability and if a tour guide is provided for your group our admission charge is $5/person. If you would like a tour guide, please make the request in the form below in the “additional information” section.

View Our Offerings

Volunteer

Greeters and Guest Relations – Interact with our guests in a casual way. Sit or stand at the entrance or walk about the Arboretum “getting your steps”. Answer questions, meet and greet other lovers of the Arboretum as you represent our lovely gardens.

Trail Maintenance – Conservation Corps is for those who are hard core environmentalists! They help maintain our trails by eradicating invasive plant species and create unique settings for our guests on the outlying ecosystems of the Arboretum. This team is more advanced and requires additional screening to join.