Arboretum Etiquette

Arboretum Etiquette

In an effort to help us preserve and enhance the land for conservation and education, please follow these rules while enjoying the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens:

  • Visitors are not allowed to remain in or enter the Arboretum before or after operating hours.
  • Bicycles, balls, frisbees, drones, skateboards, skates, scooters and motorized vehicles are prohibited. Wheelchairs and other mobility equipment are allowed.
  • Dogs must be on a leash; they are restricted to the mulch paths or the International Sculpture Trail around the Pavilion. Dogs are not allowed on garden walkways. Please pick up after your pet.
  • No plants, animals or insects may be collected or removed.
  • Please do not climb on waterfalls, rocks or in trees in the gardens.
  • You must have a permit for portrait photography or videography. Nature photography does not require a permit.
  • Alcoholic beverages purchased at Café Celeste may be consumed at designated locations. No outside alcoholic beverages of any kind are allowed on the premises.
  • Fires/grilling of any kind are prohibited.
  • Please call ahead if you are bringing a school group or would like a guided tour.
Address

8909 W. 179th Street
Overland Park, KS 66013

Phone

913-685-3604

Hours

Daily | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Last entry 30 minutes before closing.

Admission

Children ages 5 and under are free.
$2 ages 6-17
$5 ages 18+

Free admission on the first Tuesday of each month.

Photos + Video

The Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens requires a permit for all portrait or posed photography.

Photographers may set up equipment and pose subjects in the following places:

  • Xeriscape garden patio
  • Monet garden patio, north or south. Both patios can not be used for photography simultaneously.
  • Ailie’s glade
  • Lakeside amphitheater
  • Byrd’s grove walk
  • Cohen iris garden patio
  • Marder garden pergola walk
  • East Bridge rocks
  • West Bridge
  • Any grassy area accessible without stepping into garden beds.

Photography Rules

All visitors should read and act according to Arboretum etiquette.

All permit holders must check in at the admissions kiosk when they arrive and leave. After presenting a valid permit, you will receive a tag that must be worn in full view at all times. The tag must be returned when departing. If your permit time is exceeded, you will be charged for the additional time.

Photography parties larger than 10 people must call the Arboretum in advance, to allow staff to be prepared for the large group.

Be on time. Your session will not be extended without an additional fee, and you will have to exit the Arboretum at closing time, regardless of your arrival time and permit duration.

Garden rentals supersede photography permits. Do not photograph in an area reserved by a private party.

Do not leave props, clothing or personal belongings unattended. The Arboretum is not liable for damage to personal belongings while on site.

Changing clothes in the gardens or on the trails is not permitted.

Dogs or other pets are not allowed in the gardens or any area with concrete sidewalk access.

Do not photograph subjects on the Monet bridge, the boardwalk or the legacy bridge.

Failure to follow any of the rules could void photography permits or access to future permits. Any damage to flowers, trees, shrubs, containers, sculptures, etc. will be charged to the permit holder.

Photography parties may visit the Arboretum prior to or after their reservation; however, no photography equipment may accompany them. In case of inclement weather, contact the Arboretum and a replacement permit will be issued.

Photography Permits

Photography and videography permits for portrait or posed purposes are available for $50 per hour.

No more than four hours may be reserved by one permit holder per day. Regular admission fees apply for photographers and all subjects.

Permits and photo sessions will not be allowed on the following days:

  • Holidays
  • Additional times may be blocked at the discretion of the Parks Services Director.

Photographers hired for rental events at the Arboretum do not need a separate permit to photograph the event. Nature photography does not require a permit as long as the photos are not for commercial use.

Purchase a photography permit on-site at the time of your arrival.