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Welcome to the Idaho Botanical Garden!

Hours and Admission

Location

2355 Old Penitentiary Rd. Boise, Idaho 83712

Get Directions Garden Rules

Garden Hours

Wednesday – Monday

Closed Tuesday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm (last entry at 4:00 pm)

Garden hours may fluctuate due to weather conditions or special events. Please visit our website before you come to confirm current hours and any possible closures.

Pricing

* $1 off/ticket for Groups of 10+

Free

For Members

$14

For non Members

$12

For Seniors (65+)

Free

Kids 3 & under

$8

Youth (ages 4-12)

$12

for Students

Garden Map

Explore the Garden with our convenient downloadable map.

Download the Garden Brochure and Map

Group & School Visits

We offer field trips every April through May and again in October. Each field trip lasts approximately 90 minutes.

The Idaho Botanical Garden is a nonprofit living museum dedicated to furthering science education and environmental stewardship in the Treasure Valley and beyond. Our goal is to nurture a fascination with the natural world through a variety of hands-on outdoor programs including on-site field trips. Our programs include multiple learning stations lead by an IBG Educator. Programs are $5 per person and pre-registration is required.

Pre-K:
• Meet Idaho Early Learning Guidelines
• We can accommodate up to 20 learners per time slot
• 75-minute program

K, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade:
• Meet Idaho Content Standards
• We can accommodate up to 60 learners per time slot
• 90-minute program

Learn More

Garden Ambassador Tours

Join Idaho Botanical Garden Ambassadors on a free hour-and-a-half-long tour of the grounds. This walk introduces you to the history of the Garden and the major features of the grounds. No need for reservations; arrive 15 minutes before the tour start time.

Garden tours begin mid-May and run every other Thursday and Saturday morning through the end of September. Tours start at 10a and last for approximately an hour and a half. Tour dates are subject to change due to event schedules.

Call us at 208-343-8649 to confirm a date or for more information.

Collections

Managed plant collections are what sets botanical gardens apart from other gardens, parks, and green spaces. Records for each of the plants in our garden are maintained in a way similar to items in a museum. Because of this, the plants in our collection have more than simply aesthetic value; they have educational, historical, and scientific value that plants without a known provenance do not.

Plan Your Visit

Nestled against the Boise foothills, the Idaho Botanical Garden covers roughly 15 acres that was once the Idaho Penitentiary. The seven main gardens feature a variety of native and adapted plants complemented by smaller collections set amongst art, water features and other historical landmarks.

A leisurely stroll through the Garden takes roughly 60-90 minutes, depending on your pace. We have a small Information Station that sells water, beverages, and snack items. Drinking fountains and a water station are also available.

Not allowed in the Garden

Outside alcohol, smoking or vaping, weapons/firearms or pets.
*Service dogs are allowed on a leash.

Garden Rules

While visiting this museum of plants, please follow the Garden’s rules:

Do stay on paths.

Do enjoy the sweet scents of the Garden.

Do listen for the birds and wildlife.

Do look but don’t touch the Garden residents including lizards, snakes, squirrels, marmots, birds, owls, deer, bobcats and rabbits.

Don’t pick flowers or vegetables or other plant parts.

Don’t climb trees, art or other structures.

No smoking or vaping in the Garden.

No outside alcohol in the Garden.

No firearms or explosives.

No drones in the Garden.

Pets and emotional support animals are not permitted in the Garden. Service animals are always welcome.

Commercial and portrait photography is allowed by prior appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are pets allowed in the Garden?

Pets are not allowed inside of the gates and fence. Well-behaved service animals on a leash or harness that have been trained to provide a service are welcome.

Can I take photos during my visit?

Visitors can engage in non-commercial photography during regular admission days and IBG-sponsored events. Appointments need to be made for commercial photoshoots or filming. Corporate Photographer Memberships available, learn more about becoming a member here.

Is the Garden accessible?

About 75 percent of the grounds are accessible. Our Master Plan, currently under development, will make this a priority as we expand!

The garden covers roughly 15 acres. Most of the paths are gentle slopes with crushed rock. There are two brick pathways and a central plaza with brick. Plan on wearing sturdy walking shoes and being able to navigate stairs. Some of the staircases are made of sandstone and have a degree of unevenness, but many have another path as an option. Strollers can be pushed on most paths, and all-terrain wheelchairs are available at no charge. The walk from the admission kiosk to the more cultivated, shaded portion of the Garden is 212 yards long. This includes a 24 yards-long ramp that meets ADA slope requirements.

Book Your Event

Idaho Botanical Garden is one of Idaho’s premier destinations and provides a beautiful and unique outdoor setting for a wedding, reception, company meeting, holiday party, and so much more.