Garvan Woodland Gardens Childrens Garden Treehouse — Attraction in Hot Springs

Garvan Woodland Gardens is an absolute gem, a true oasis that captivates the senses and rejuvenates the soul. It’s a “must do” when visiting Hot Springs! Nestled amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Ouachita Mountains and extending into Lake Hamilton, this botanical wonderland offers an experience unlike any other. Truly beautiful!

From the moment you step through its gates, you're enveloped in a symphony of natural beauty. The meticulously curated gardens showcase an incredible diversity of plant life, with vibrant blooms and lush foliage around every turn. The flowers are truly something spectacular to behold.

Beyond the exquisite flora, Garvan Woodland Gardens boasts stunning architectural marvels that blend seamlessly with the natural landscape. The awe-inspiring Anthony Chapel, with its soaring glass and wood design, is a spiritual experience in itself, inviting reflection and a deeper connection with nature. The whimsical Evans Children's Adventure Garden, complete with its captivating treehouse and playful features, delights visitors of all ages, proving that even the most imaginative structures can find their home in nature. Adults and kids alike can appreciate the amazing treehouse.

The pathways throughout the gardens are a joy to explore, offering a mix of paved and natural surfaces, leading you over idyllic bridges, past gentle waterfalls, and alongside serene ponds filled with colorful koi. Each turn reveals a new vista, a fresh perspective, and a moment to simply breathe and appreciate the artistry of nature and human design working in harmony.

We paid the extra $20 for the golf cart tour of the gardens. Isabella was our tour guide and did a marvelous job. She really seemed to enjoy giving us cool facts and taking photos that we’ll cherish for years to come. This not only saves time but also lots of steps.

Garvan Woodland Gardens is more than just a garden; it's an immersive escape. It's a place where you can wander for hours, discovering hidden nooks and crannies, or simply find a bench and soak in the tranquility. It's a testament to conservation and education, beautifully demonstrating the power and allure of the natural world.

For anyone seeking beauty, peace, and a truly unforgettable experience, Garvan Woodland Gardens is an absolute must-visit. You'll leave feeling refreshed, inspired, and already planning your next return to this extraordinary botanical paradise. Buy your tickets online in...

• Evans Treehouse: A multi-level, boomerang-shaped structure nestled in the canopy, teaching kids about nature’s layers. Built across four “tree” levels representing roots, trunk, branches, and leaves, it’s both educational and fun . • Play features: Kids splash in waterfalls, catch crawdads, scramble over 3,200 tons of boulders, explore a man-made ADA-accessible cave, and cross an iron bridge . • Scavenger hunts & bingo: Free nature bingo cards and discovery backpacks make exploration interactive and rewarding for children . Garden Features • Fairy gardens & model trains: Miniature fairy rocks hidden along trails, a delightful fairy village, and a G-scale train display are hits with kids . • Scenic trails & waterways: Enjoy the wooded glades, waterfalls along Lake Hamilton, and Japanese Garden with Kamaples and tree peonies .

My personal feedback • Yelp review by Tina B.: “Kids and families will especially love the tree house… children’s garden, with wide stepping stones… little hidey holes… boulders to climb.” She also noted occasional sightings of harmless snakes near the water . • Travelers on AllTrails praise the peaceful, easy walk and shaded paths, including a “cute fairy garden” and note that tickets are around $20–$25 (online cheaper) . • Reddit user: “They do an amazing job with the lights. Everyone should see it at least once.” 

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Practical Info • Size & cost: The garden spans 210 acres with 4.5 miles of shoreline. Admission is about $15–20 for adults and $5 for kids (4–12), free for under 3; buy online to save $5/ticket . • Hours: Open daily 9 AM–6 PM (Feb–Nov) and 12–9 PM mid-Nov–Dec; closed in January, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day . • Amenities: On-site café (wraps, salads, sandwiches), stroller and golf-cart rentals, accessible trails, and pet-friendly policies (dogs allowed for fee) again noted .

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Verdict

Garvan Woodland Gardens is a standout destination for families, blending stunning plantings with playful, educational elements for kids. With interactive hunts, adventurous spaces, and natural beauty year‑round—including magical holiday lights—it’s a delightful day out.

If you go: • Start with the Children’s Adventure Garden • Grab discovery backpacks and bingo cards early • Book tickets online • Bring water (the café is late) • Be aware of wildlife like non-venomous snakes • Plan several hours—many visitors spend...

I visited Saturday, 12-7, for the holiday lights. Here's my experience: I'm not from the area, so I used GPS as any logical person would do. When it came time for the turn, there was a cop directing traffic to keep going. No clear sign of where to go next, he pretty much just said, "ain't gonna turn here". Should've known it was gonna go down hill from there. Once we finally made the big circle to get to the gate, we were able to park pretty quickly, but had to make a pretty far trek to get to the check-in booths, red flag #2. I was delighted when I made it into the gardens, and saw that they had complimentary hot chocolate. We started our journey of exploring the lights in good spirits. At some point, though, we end up amongst a mass of people. And since most people feel privileged and are rude, I pretty much had to force my way through various crowds of people! Again, no sense of direction, no way to even enjoy the lights because there were SO MANY PEOPLE. Then I get on Facebook and see that they sold well over one-thousand tickets for that one day! Ridiculous. There definitely needs to be a better system next year. Not only that, but they don't explicitly state how long the trail is, so I asked my AI, and it said 4.5 miles! That's definitely something that should be on the website. It's highly upsetting, because, again, everything was beautiful, but I just couldn't enjoy myself. There were carts and people everywhere! Maybe next year (especially on weekends where y'all know y'all are going to be slammed) have set times and tour guides (that you don't have to pay $20 per person!). I'll never be back to the lights, and maybe never to the garden again, due to this experience. Seeing as though Hot Springs is a tourist city, you would've thought they'd been more prepared. Oh, and the traffic! I know that some people couldn't have made it to see the lights. The traffic out of the park was just as bad. I had to keep finding a way around and was stuck wherever I decided to go. Luckily I found a line that was moving quicker than all the others. Didn't even bother to go to the Cafe, because I knew that would be another unpleasant experience. 2 stars given for the beautiful lights! Do...