Hours
The Arboretum is open every day from dawn until dusk.
Admission
There is no charge for admission to the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens or the Arboretum land beyond the gardens.
Directions to the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens
Directions to Rail Trail and Natural Lands
There are no public roads through the larger Arboretum, but the woodlands, fields, and Bellefonte Central Rail Trail are accessible by foot or bicycle from several adjacent neighborhoods.
Parking
Passenger Vehicles/ADA Parking
Visitor parking is available in the Lewis Katz Building lot, just across Bigler Road from the Arboretum. There are several spaces designated for ADA parking near the Bigler Road entrance to this lot.
Over-Sized Vehicles (buses, RVs, limousines)
Passenger Drop Off
Passengers may disembark in the bus turnaround in front of the Palmer Museum of Art before drivers move the vehicle to the Porter North lot. The turnaround is for loading and unloading only. Buses must be moved as soon as passengers have disembarked.
Parking
Over-sized vehicles such as school buses, motor coaches, and recreational vehicles must be parked in the Porter North parking lot on Porter Road near Beaver Stadium.
To get to the Porter North parking lot from the bus turnaround, turn right onto Bigler Road. At the intersection with E. Park Avenue., turn left. Proceed to the second traffic light and turn right onto Porter Road. The Porter North parking lot will be on your left in the first block from the intersection.
Payment
Parking in the Porter North lot is enforced 7 days a week, and parking is not permitted between 2:00 and 4:00 a.m.
If the driver stays with the vehicle, there will be no charge for educational trips.
If the driver leaves the vehicle, parking fees apply. There are two options for payment:
- Pay the XL vehicle rate at the walk-up pay station, which is a flat daily fee of $20.
- Pay an hourly fee at the pay station or by using HONK Mobile. The hourly rate is charged based on the number of parking spaces occupied. In this case, the charge could be less for a small vehicle or shorter stay.
View a map showing the route from the Katz parking lot to the Porter North parking lot (PDF).