Beauty surrounds us, but usually we need to be walking in a garden to know it. – Rumi
History of Garvan Woodland Gardens
Located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Garvan Woodland Gardens is a beautiful 210-acre botanical garden. In 1956 Verna Garvan, a self-taught gardener, began to prepare her family’s land purchased in the 1920’s into a garden. Intimately familiar with the land, she laid out every path and touched each and every tree, deciding when it was to be removed. She planted over 100 rare shrubs and trees- some 40 years old. You can find camellias, magnolias and more than 160 types of azaleas. Prior to her death, Mrs. Garvan left the property to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
The Gardens
Nestled along the banks of Lake Hamilton, the Gardens is home to many unique creatures and gardens filled with beautiful trees, flowers, and formations. Full of breathtaking sights and photo opportunities. Visitors can explore the grounds by self-guided or guided tour or you can have your very own cart tour by golf cart. In addition to being the perfect spot for beautiful photos, it is home to Anthony Chapel. A lovely chapel complex for weddings. It houses both bride and groom quarters.
Tips:
- Wear comfortable shoes- it takes about at least an hour to complete a self-guided tour.
- Furry buddies are allowed as long as they are leashed for $5.
- For elderly visitors, the golf cart tours are a great option.
- Bring your cameras, there are numerous photo opportunities.
- After working up and appetite, be sure to stop at the Chipmunk Cafe for some delicious cook to order food.
- Be sure to snap a photo of the beautiful male peacock during his mating display.
I recommend that anyone visiting the Hot Springs area add this to their bucketlist. What is your favorite things to do in a garden? Let me know in the comments.
6 Comments
Wow! These pictures are beautiful, they are breathtaking. I’ve been to Arkansas one when I was still living in Kansas State.
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Thanks so much. Hot Springs, though small, is a beautiful area.
Some really pretty colours in your photos – looks an awesomeness place to explore
I have no words to appreciate these pictures. They look so amazing and i have never heard about this place before but i love it. It is so lush green and peaceful. Hope you had fun there.
So green! Nothing like a day in the wild! 😉 This place looks straight out of Robin Wood!
Such a beautiful picture and what is most appreciating part of this whole Gardens is that how it is converted from a family land to a beautiful Garden today.
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