Everyone is welcome dawn to dusk. Please refrain from night visits, except during programs, as our plants and fauna need the darkness as much as the light. Please respect the serenity and nature appreciation this place provides us all.
Rules and Prohibited Items
The following are prohibited:
- Animals, except for service animals
- Alcoholic beverages, except as authorized for organized events
- Bicycles, skateboards, roller blades, and similar devices
- Climbing, throwing, active team sports, and rough play
- Wading in water features outside of the children’s garden
- Walking in plant beds
- Picking or destroying plant material or labels
- Loud or offensive language
- Unauthorized commercial and event photography
- Smoking/vaping
- Attaching objects (e.g., hammocks) to trees or any unapproved locations
Please do the following:
- Supervise children throughout their visit
- Carry litter and recyclables out and dispose of properly
- Report vandalism and hazards to the Arboretum staff
- Contact the Arboretum staff well in advance to schedule events, tours, classes, and commercial or event photography
In addition to all rules for the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens, the following rules apply to visitors to our children’s garden.
Children under 12 must be in the company of an adult who is responsible for their supervision.
Please do not:
- Do not climb on the high rocks, cave, trees, round huts, or tree sculpture
- Do not wade in the pools near the garden entrance
- Do not throw objects (e.g., rocks, sand, mulch, etc.)
- Do not pick/harvest plants, flowers, or fruit
Please do:
- Be curious, be safe, be respectful, and enjoy this place of discovery and learning
- Climb on low rocks and the bison, caterpillar, and mushroom sculptures
- Wade in the creek near the cave
- Leave behind the learning and play materials you find
The following are prohibited:
- Unleashed animals
- Fires, tents, grills, and alcoholic beverages, except as authorized for organized events
- Bicycle use in areas other than the Bellefonte Central Rail Trail and roads
- Unauthorized motorized vehicles
- Picking or destroying plant material or labels
- Climbing trees, attaching objects (e.g., hammocks) to trees or any unapproved locations
- Construction of trails or structures
- Disturbance to research and study areas
- Smoking/vaping
Please do the following:
- Supervise children throughout their visit
- Carry litter and recyclables out and dispose of properly
- Report vandalism and hazards to the Arboretum staff
Additional Policies
Geocaching is a great way to explore the 370-acre Arboretum.
Are you searching for an existing geocache? Please observe our posted rules of behavior and remember that seemingly remote and “wild” portions of the Arboretum may be the locations of active projects such as graduate student research.
Would you like to install a new geocache? New caches must have Arboretum approval in advance, and they must adhere to the geocaching guidelines published on the Geocaching website. If you believe the location you have in mind will fit within these guidelines, please write to arboretum@psu.edu. A staff member will meet with you to discuss your proposal before final approval is given. Any caches found within the Arboretum that have not been approved by the Arboretum staff will be removed.
All artists must respect their fellow visitors and the tranquil, sensitive nature of the gardens.
- Leave no trace. Do not leave splatters of paint, sculpting materials, or other mediums on plants, sidewalks, or buildings.
- Oil-based paints, acrylic paints, lacquers, and other permanent mediums are not permitted.
- Watercolors, gouache, charcoal, and other semi-permanent or temporary mediums are permitted.
- Easels and art materials must be positioned on grass lawn areas, away from pedestrian foot traffic, garden beds, and water features.
- Dirty water, paints, and solvents must be taken with you and cannot be disposed of in the gardens or Arboretum bathrooms.
- Light collapsible chairs or stools are permitted for artists at work, if they do not block access to paths.
All photographers must respect their fellow visitors and the tranquil, sensitive nature of the gardens.
When Pre-Approval Is Not Required
Visitors are welcome to take casual photos and videos for personal or academic use without pre-approval as long as you abide by the following rules:
- Do not block walkways (no exceptions)
- Do not walk or place objects in plant beds or water features (no exceptions)
- Do not attempt to access power sources in the botanic gardens (no exceptions)
- Do not bring animals (except service animals)
- Do not take organized group photos
- Do not bring drones, free-standing equipment, or props
- Do not sell your photos/videos or use for brand or marketing purposes
When Pre-Approval Is Required
Pre-approval must be requested at least two weeks in advance if you require an exception to a photography rule above, or if you are in one of the following categories:
- Commercial and/or Financial Benefit (see commercial photo policy)
- Group Photos (two or more people expressly assembled for a group photo)
- Non-University Filmmakers
- Penn State Student Courses
- Press
- Weddings (except for rental clients) (see wedding photo policy)
Commercial Photography/Videography Policies
Commercial photography is taken by a professional and/or for financial benefit.
- Commercial photography using the Arboretum or the Smith Botanic Gardens as a backdrop for photos taken for a specific, contracted client is permitted.
- Commercial photography is prohibited if the subject of the photo is the Arboretum, plants, or venues in the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens.
- Handheld lighting equipment and reflectors are permitted.
- Exceptions regarding equipment and staging will be made for University-based or University-affiliated camera and film crews.
- Sessions must be pre-arranged with the Arboretum and may not exceed one hour.
Wedding Photography/Videography Policies (except for rental clients)
- Permission to use the Arboretum as a backdrop for wedding photography is dependent on the presence of other weddings in the garden. Group photos (3 or more people) may be taken in the following locations only: the Margery Enes Smith Soaring Waters Fountain, the lawn adjacent to the fountain, and the boardwalk that crosses the Marsh Meadow.
- Photographers who wish to take engagement or wedding portraits in the gardens may take only the wedding couple (not the entire wedding party or wedding guests) into the gardens for this purpose. The photographer may bring one assistant to hold equipment.
To help prevent the introduction of new genetic variants or diseases into local populations and garden collections, The Arboretum at Penn State does not permit the release of plants or animals into the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens or other parts of the Arboretum.
The only exception to this rule is that releases of insects will be permitted if the release is part of an approved educational activity and the insects have been collected locally (i.e., within Centre County).
Solicitations are not permitted in the Arboretum. Non-University individuals and groups may not use Arboretum facilities for fundraising or commercial purposes.