group of adults gather for tour of garden

Childhood's Gate Children's Garden Tour

visitors gather near wildflowers

Prairie Restoration Site Tour

families gather in outdoor amphitheater for presentation

Storytelling in Children's Garden

group of people gather near reflecting pond

Tour Group at Lotus Pool

tour group walks across large lawn

Tour Group on Event Lawn

Groups may request reservations for field trips, self-guided visits, or guided tours of the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens. Tours are best suited for adult participants. Educator-led and self-guided field trip options for children are also available.

Group Visits and Field Trips

Self-Guided Field Trips and Group Visits

Self-guided group visits are free of charge and may be scheduled using the Group Visit Inquiry Form. School groups (including home school groups) and child-related organizations (such as daycare, 4-H, and scouting groups) must make reservations before visiting. Children must be supervised. Please read the Group Visit Policy below.

Arboretum Educator–Led Field Trips

Garden educator–led field trip programs are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 3:00 p.m. and on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., subject to the availability of staff and volunteers. Field trips may be scheduled using the Group Visit Inquiry Form. Please read the Group Visit Policy below.

If you have questions about this policy or would like additional information, please contact the Arboretum via email at arbvolunteers@psu.edu or telephone at 814-867-4813.

School Groups

School groups (including home school groups) and child-related organizations (such as daycare, 4-H, and scouting groups) must make reservations before visiting using the Group Visit Inquiry Form. Reservations are required at least two weeks in advance of desired date and subject to availability. It is recommended that you have at least one alternate date and time for consideration if your desired date and time is booked. Brochures containing garden maps are available on site. Teachers are encouraged to visit the Arboretum prior to the field trip to gain inspiration if the visit will be tied to a curriculum.

Special Requirements for School Groups and Child-Related Organizations

To support best safety and supervision practices, a minimum of two adult chaperones from the organization must be present at all times. Ratios of adults to minors specified in the “Field Trip Memorandum” document (which will be sent to group organizers) must be maintained. No 1:1 contact with minors is permitted. Teachers or group chaperones are responsible for supervising minors who visit the Arboretum and for ensuring their safety and compliance with visitation rules. In the event of an emergency, it is expected that groups will execute their prescribed internal policies concerning safety, and medical and special needs. All visitation rules are posted at the entrances to the gardens and on our website on this page. Groups visiting the Arboretum are welcome to participate in activities taking place in the children’s garden. Please see our Events page for additional information.

Parking

Buses are not permitted to park in the Lewis Katz lot near the Arboretum. All school buses or motor coaches must drop off passengers in the Lewis Katz lot across from the Arboretum on Bigler Road and then proceed to park in the Porter North lot on Porter Road near Beaver Stadium. For additional information about parking, please consult the Parking section on the Hours, Admission, Directions, Parking page.

Guided Tours

The Arboretum offers 60- and 90-minute guided tours of the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens on weekdays, subject to the availability of volunteers. View the following policies and fees for more information. To schedule your guided tour, please complete the Group Visit Inquiry Form below.

  • Tours are available by reservation from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, subject to the availability of volunteers.
  • Tour request must be submitted at least three weeks prior to your visit. Reservations are taken on a first-come basis.
  • A minimum of 8 people is required for a group tour, and groups larger than 20 will be divided between two or more guides.
  • If a group needs to cancel or reschedule a guided tour, the organizer should notify the Arboretum as soon as possible, preferably at least 48 hours before the tour.
  • Persons under the age of 18 must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or guardian while visiting the Arboretum.
  • In the event of dangerous weather conditions, tours may be postponed for up to 30 minutes or canceled outright.

  • Groups not affiliated with the University will be charged a nonrefundable fee of $60 per 20 individuals for a 60-minute tour, or $75 per 20 individuals for a 90-minute tour.
  • There is no tour fee for Penn State classes and other University-affiliated groups and organizations.
  • Payment must be received no later than ten days before the date of the scheduled tour.
  • Payment should be made by check, payable to “The Pennsylvania State University” and mailed to:

The Arboretum at Penn State
Attention: Tour Coordinator
126 Palmer Museum of Art
University Park PA 16802-3604

Group Visit Inquiry Form