Plan your adventure.

  • Dirt trail in the forest during fall.

    Trails

    Experience the forest through 16 miles of trail. Main Entrance trails begin behind Nature Center. East Side trails began in the East Side Parking Lot. Trail Map here. Mountain Biking is not available at this time.

  • Nature Center in 2024 on a sunny day.

    Nature Center

    Originally an 1833 Dairy Barn, this building was opened to the public in 1966 as a Nature Center. Inside you will find the Gift Shop, Bird Watching Room, educational exhibits, observational beehive, children’s spaces, and restrooms.

  • Families at the Mud Kitchen station in the Nature Playscape.

    Nature Playscape

    Designed in 2017, the Nature Playscape is a certified outdoor classroom that is the perfect place for families to play and for visitors to have a picnic. Located near the Nature Center Parking Lot.

  • The Ronald L McDaniel Foundation Auto Tour paved trail going through the fall forest.

    Ronald L McDaniel Foundation Auto Tour

    Drive or hike the 3.3 mile Ronald L McDaniel Foundation Auto Tour. $5/car. Free to members of the Arboretum. Thank you to the Foundation for funding the pavement of this trail.

  • Hayes Museum

    Hayes History Museum

    Learn about the history of the Hayes Family and the property inside the museum. The building is a redesigned Pure Oil station that once was located on Woodside Drive.

  • Flowers inside the Butterfly Garden.

    Butterfly & Herb Gardens

    Watch pollinators travel flower to flower in these two special plantings located by the Administration Building and Nature Playscape. In season June-October.

  • A field of native wildflowers and grasses.

    Pollinator Prairie

    Walk through acres of native warm season flowers and grasses to experience the prairie specialized for our native pollinators. Located near the East Side Parking Lot. In season June-October.

  • Green Sycamore leaf

    Paul C McClure Native Woody Plant Preserve

    Take a walk through specimen trees planted in an area that once served as a fairgrounds and racetrack. Located in the southern loop of the Ronald L McDaniel Foundation Auto Tour.

  • Scenic Overlook bridge after a snowfall in the forest.

    Pat Mayer Scenic Overlook

    View forests similar to what the early pioneers in Indiana saw 500 years ago. Located in the Old Growth Forests across from the Woodland Chapel. Memorial for Pat Mayer who gave 50 years of service to Hayes Arboretum.

  • Morton Arch on the edge of the forest.

    Morton Arch

    Visit the Morton Arch. This sandstone arch once stood as the doorway to a local school before a fire in the 1920s burnt the structure. Accessible along the Auto Tour.

  • Set of wooden pews in the middle of a forest in fall.

    Woodland Chapel

    Take a moment to appreciate the Old Growth Forest at the Woodland Chapel. This special area is available to rent for weddings and ceremonies. Learn more here.

  • Painted rocks formed together to make a rock snake.

    Rex the Rocksnake

    Bring your own painted rock with a positive message to add to Rex. In collaboration with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Indiana Chapter. Learn more here.

  • Young Sweetgum Tree that went to outer space.

    Artemis I Moon Tree

    Take a moment to learn about our artifact from space. This tree is located along the Main Entrance drive. Exhibit with more information is inside the Nature Center.

  • Wooden shelter and rocks surround the natural spring.

    Elizabeth Reller-Warrick Springhouse

    Walk along the Springhouse Trail and stop for a rest. Memorial for Elizabeth Reller-Warrick, an actress famous for her work on old time radio, and a Richmond native.

  • Sundial memorial on top of a snowy hill.

    Mildred S Hayes Memorial Sundial

    Hike the hill to the memorial sundial to see this special, custom made gift from France. Memorial for Mildred Hayes and her tireless devotion to the Arboretum.

  • Fountain in front of green bushes and trees.

    Brice E Hayes Memorial Fountain

    Take a stroll through the Native Woody Plant Preserve to stop by the Memorial Fountain. This space is available to rent for weddings and ceremonies. Learn more here.