1927 East Orange Road, Waterloo, IA, 50701 | 319-226-4966 | info@cedarvalleyarboretum.org
Hours: Sunday: 11-6 | Monday: Closed | Tue/Wed/Fri/Sat: 9-6 | Thursday: 9-8
Welcome to the Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens!
Whether you’re planning a field trip, a group outing, or simply looking for a beautiful place to explore, we invite you to visit and enjoy our gardens. Wander the grounds, connect with nature, and discover something new around every corner. Don’t forget to stop by our gift shop for unique finds to remember your visit.
Before you arrive, please review our hours of operation, admission rates, pet policies, and garden etiquette to help ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Business Hours
April – November (Regular Season)
Sunday: 11:00am – 6:00pm
Monday: Closed
Tue, Wed, Fri & Sat: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Thursday: 9:00am – 8:00pm
Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
December – March (Off-Season)
Closed
Admission Rates
Members - Free Become A Member Today!
Non-Member Adults (18+) - $10
Youth (5-17) - $5
Ages 4 & Under - Free
Hawkeye Community College - Free with ID
AHS Reciprocal Members - Free with ID
Museums For All Program
$2 admission per person Applies to a maximum of four people with the presentation of a SNAP, EBT, or WIC card & a valid photo ID.
Garden Guidelines
To help protect our plant collections and ensure a safe, enjoyable visit for everyone, we ask all guests to follow the guidelines below. The Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens is a living plant museum, not a park or playground. We appreciate your help in being responsible garden stewards.
Visitors who do not follow these guidelines may be asked to leave without a refund.
Please remember:
- Walk at all times; running is not permitted.
- Stay on designated paths and out of flower beds.
- Do not pick flowers or climb trees.
- Touching plants is allowed, as long as gentle hands are used.
- Leave fallen leaves, flowers, and other plant materials where they are.
- Please respect mosaicultures by not touching, climbing, or hanging on them.
- Do not enter water features or toss coins, rocks, sand, or toys into them.
- Do not pick up or throw rocks.
- Help keep the gardens clean by disposing of litter in trash or recycling bins.
- Dress for the weather. Programs may take place indoors or outdoors, rain or shine. Shirts and shoes are required at all times.
- Gardens are places of peace and reflection, please speak softly and be aware of your surroundings.
Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us preserve the beauty of the gardens for all to enjoy. Enjoy your visit!
The Gardens
Explore the gardens to see what’s growing, blooming, and waiting to be discovered.
Guided Tours
We invite you to join us for a guided tour of the gardens!
Tours are available as walking tours for groups of any size, or as golf cart tours for up to five individuals.
Regular admission rates apply, and advance scheduling is required.
Discover & Explore
Field Trips
Field trips are self-guided, allowing groups to explore the gardens at their own pace. Lunches, coolers, and materials may be stored in the Education Center if space allows. Please note the Arboretum remains open to the public, and unattended items cannot be secured.
Rates:
- Ages 4 and under: Free
- Ages 5-17: $5
- Adults: $10
- One adult per 10 children is free; additional adults are $10
- Trolley rides: $1 per child; adults ride free
Animals at the Arboretum
The Arboretum is a pet-friendly destination. All pets must be leashed, and owners must clean up after their animals. Pets must be well behaved and may not disturb other visitors or wildlife. Visitors with disruptive animals will be asked to leave. If you are unsure whether your pet can behave appropriately, please leave them at home. Pets may not be left unattended in vehicles.
Visitors with Emotional Support Animals are welcome. However, if an animal becomes disruptive, the owner will be asked to leave. The Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Gardens reserves the right to change the acceptance of non service animals at any time.
Visitors who do not follow these guidelines may be asked to leave without a refund.
Service Animals & Mobility-Friendly Guide
Our organization follows the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines. Service animals are dogs trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities and are working animals, not pets. Some visitors traveling with service animals may require additional mobility related accommodations. The NCOA Mobility Friendly Travel Guide offers helpful resources to support accessible and confident travel.
To learn more about service animals and emotional support animals, please visit the Americans with Disabilities Act website linked below.
