Washington Park Arboretum — Seattle, Washington

Address2300 Arboretum Dr E, Seattle, WA 98112

HoursGrounds open daily, dawn–8 p.m. (UW Botanic Gardens)

PricesFREE — all parts of the Arboretum except the Seattle Japanese Garden are free and open to the public (official)

Price notespriceVal 0 covers the Arboretum grounds only. The Seattle Japanese Garden inside the Arboretum is a separate, paid, seasonal venue and is NOT included in this entry's price.

Age notesGeneral public botanic garden; no age guidance published or needed.

BookingNo reservation for grounds entry.

Suggested timeAbout 2 hours

AccessibilityNot confirmed — no access attribute is claimed from the official pages reviewed.

ParkingFree parking lots along Arboretum Drive; confirm on the UW Botanic Gardens site.

Hours in detailArboretum grounds: open daily from dawn to dusk and free to the public (UW Botanic Gardens trail map). Graham Visitors Center (GVC) and Arboretum Gift Shop: Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., subject to change due to limited staffing; GVC restrooms are open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily, accessible only from the exterior of the building (Activities page). See conflicts for a second official GVC hours version.

ParkingVery limited free parking is available for the public in several areas, with access lots at the Graham Visitors Center and the Japanese Garden (Getting Here page). Accessible parking is available in the Graham Visitors Center parking lot; Arboretum Drive is closed to general public traffic but is available for visitors with limited mobility, who may use the many parking lots along the drive (Accessibility page).

AccessibilityDedicated official Accessibility page. Three recommended accessible trail loops, each at least 5 feet wide for its whole length and not exceeding a 5% grade, on paved sections and compacted gravel: (1) Azalea Way and Arboretum Loop Trail - fully paved plus compacted gravel, accessed from the Graham Visitors Center; all 16 benches on the Arboretum Loop Trail are fully accessible; (2) Pinetum and Conifer Collections Loop - easiest access from 26th Ave E / E Lynn Street; (3) Pacific Connections Trail - 2 accessible parking spots at the vehicle turnaround on Arboretum Drive E, on paved path, compacted gravel and compacted soil. Visitors with limited mobility may drive and park in the lots along Arboretum Drive. Montlake Tot Lot is an accessible entrance (via Metro routes 988/43/48, E McGraw Street stop). One wheelchair-accessible stall in each Graham Visitors Center restroom. Service animals are welcome in both outdoor and indoor spaces; leashed dogs are welcome in the Arboretum but only service animals are allowed in the Seattle Japanese Garden. Audio tours are available for the Pacific Connections Garden.

Family facilitiesGraham Visitors Center offers public restrooms and a drinking fountain. GVC restrooms are open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily (exterior access only); other restrooms are at the bus turnaround in the Pacific Connections Garden, Washington Park Playfield, and the Seattle Japanese Garden at the south end of the Arboretum.

Official tipsParking is limited; the official trail map urges visitors to consider alternative transportation. Bike racks are located outside the Graham Visitors Center, and city buses run near the park entrances on East Madison Street and Montlake Boulevard. Dogs must be kept leashed at all times and out of beaches, playgrounds, natural areas, and the Japanese Garden; keep bikes on roadways within the park.