Discover Nature at the Beautiful Jacksonville Arboretum

The Jacksonville Arboretum in Jacksonville, Fl is a wonderful place to discover nature. Lovingly referred to as a “hidden jewel” the Arboretum is 120 acres of natural ecological beauty. Whether you’re looking to hit the trails, attend an event, or in need of volunteer opportunities the Jacksonville Arboretum has got you covered.

The Trails

The Arboretum boasts 7 beautiful trails each with its own unique appeal. Explore the lake and island, enjoy the fun boardwalk, or stroll through the forest and marshland. Trails range from 0.1 to 1.0 mile in length so, there is truly a trail to suit everyone’s needs. Each trail is also rated for difficulty based on terrain and length and the rating is available on the arboretum website.

Visit the trail guides on the website to ensure you don’t miss the exciting points of interest. These include information about special plants growing along the trails and even some interesting geological and ecological information. The trails really are the heart of the Arboretum and with so many to explore they are bound to keep you coming back for more.

Ecology

The Arboretum contains 13 distinct ecosystems. A list of featured plants is available on the website under the “about us” tab which contains blog posts exploring the amazing flora you can see during your visit. Learn about plants with traditional medicinal uses and don’t miss the 125-year-old oak tree!

Picnics

The Arboretum is a lovely place for a picnic! There are 5 picnic tables on-site these are all located on Lake Loop Trail. Benches are also located on each of the trails and make perfect picnic spots for two.

Cyber Yoga

Cyber Yoga is a fun way to take a break from your hike. Stations are located at various points along the trails. These can be accessed by scanning a QR code with your cell phone.

Dogs

Want to hike with your furry friend? No problem! Dogs are welcome in most areas of the Arboretum. Do note that leash laws are enforced and the Arboretum does ask that you clean up after your pet.

The Gardens

The Arboretum recently received a grant and will soon expand to include a botanical garden. This highly anticipated community space will emphasize ecological and botanical education.

Events

The arboretum hosts community events that feature artists, live music, and food. It also hosts educational events which are great opportunities for children and adults alike. An event schedule can be found on their website. You can also rent the site for your private events.

Volunteering

Both weekly and monthly volunteering events are held at the Arboretum. You can also volunteer in horticulture, trail maintenance, education, or special events. Volunteering with the Arboretum also provides opportunities for hands-on ecological education.

The wonderful Arboretum is open to the public Monday to Thursday from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm and Friday to Sunday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. A $3.00 donation is recommended for access to the Arboretum. No cash? Don’t worry! The Arboretum has Venmo! ADA-accessible restrooms are available on-site. After your visit to the Arboretum swing by and see us at Tom Bush MINI!

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