Plan your visit
The Botanical Garden features native plants mixed with appropriate non-natives, which are all selected to demonstrate the variety and richness that can be achieved in this region of scarce water. The garden was designed by landscape architect W. Gary Smith.
The site is approximately 19 acres which over 8 acres are developed with walking paths through the distinct gardens: The Orchard Gardens and Art Trail, and our ethnobotanical garden, Ojos y Manos: Eyes and Hands Garden, and the Piñon Juniper Woodland.
What to expect
The Santa Fe Botanical Garden is situated at the southern end of the Rocky Mountains and at the intersection of four diverse geographical regions. As a result, erratic weather is to be expected year-round. Climate change is significantly impacting the variability and intensity of our weather. Like much of the Southwest, we have been experiencing more unpredictable spring cycles, much higher summer temperatures, and record low precipitation in recent years.
During periods of excessive heat or extended drought, plants grow more slowly, bloom times may be reduced, and some plants may even stop blooming. The Garden is committed to water conservation, and we do not water our gardens excessively. Instead, we have developed a plant collection focused on native and adapted plants that are better able to withstand climate extremes. Some of these plants may be new to you and look different from those in your hometown. We believe plants of the arid Steppe (our geographic region) offer great interest with their beautiful forms and textures, even when they are not in bloom.
There is much to see in all four seasons at the Garden– we hope you will appreciate the rare and special beauty of our beloved high-altitude New Mexico.
Location & Directions
Botanical Garden at Museum Hill
715 Camino Lejo
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Other Location Information:
Terence S. Tarr Botanical and Horticultural Library
Driving time
& Directions
…to the Garden at Museum Hill
• 13 minutes from the Santa Fe Plaza
• 20 minutes from Eldorado
• 45 minutes from Los Alamos
• 1 hour from Albuquerque
• 1 hour 40 minutes from Taos
• 6 hours from Denver
…to the Garden at Museum Hill
• 13 minutes from the Santa Fe Plaza
• 20 minutes from Eldorado
• 45 minutes from Los Alamos
• 1 hour from Albuquerque
• 1 hour 40 minutes from Taos
• 6 hours from Denver
Admissions
All admissions tickets are purchased at time of visit
Free Admission Programs
Santa Fe Botanical Garden Members: Receive free daily admission! Become a member.
Monthly Community Days: A day of free admission to New Mexico residents (with ID) and students (with ID). Community Days are posted on our event calendar. Learn more.
American Horticulture Society’s Reciprocal Garden Network: Admission is available for up to 2 adults who are also members of participating botanical gardens. Learn more.
Museums for All Program: Free admission with EBT card. To enter the Garden with your EBT card, follow the check-in signs when you arrive at the Garden. Learn more.
Guided Tours
Groups of 10 or more that wish to participate in a private docent-guided tour are asked to fill out the form below to request a guided tour at least 2 weeks in advance.
Maximum number of people in one tour is 15. To ensure everyone in your group has a great experience, if your group has more than 15 people you will need to request two separate tours which will either be scheduled simultaneously or consecutively, depending on staff/docent availability.
Payment, using a single debit or credit card, is required at least one week in advance.
Membership and reciprocal programs do not apply to guided tours.
Policies & Helpful Information
- Last entry is 30 minutes prior to closing.
- Groups of more than 20 people should make arrangements in advance. Email [email protected].
- The Garden has portable toilets that are available for public use.
- Reciprocal Admission Program Members will be asked to verify by showing their membership card at the Visitor Center.
- Please stay on designated pathways. The plants in our ecosystem can be very fragile, and do not respond well to footprints.
- No pets allowed in the Garden except trained service animals as defined by the U.S. Department of Justice: “A service animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.”
- No smoking, vaping, or use of other tobacco products is allowed in the Garden.
- The majority of the pathways in the Garden are wheelchair accessible, with the exception of the Art Trail, which is uneven and has one step. A quarter of the trail in the new Piñon-Juniper Woodland is ADA compliant. The Garden has one wheelchair and one walker available for loan on a first-come, first-served basis.
- For your comfort, we suggest that you bring a hat and sunscreen to protect your skin during your visit to the Garden.
- Picnics are allowed in the Garden. Visitors must abide by all Garden rules, avoid blocking pathways and remove trash. No glass containers allowed.
- SFBG welcomes artists who wish to sketch, paint, or photograph our grounds. Due to the fragile nature of our plants, only paints that are water-soluble are allowed on grounds (no oil-based or acrylic paints). Artists must register at the Visitor Services Center and pay the normal admissions fee for use of grounds. Photographs and videos shot must be for private, non-commercial use, except in specific exhibits or areas where photography may not be permitted. To arrange a photoshoot please review our photography policy and pricing and contact [email protected].
- In the event of inclement weather, the Botanical Garden will close to the public. Weather closures are posted on our homepage and on our Facebook page. If caught in a storm, please take shelter in the Hendricksen Pavilion.
American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Garden Network
SFBG Members Receive Benefits Nationwide
The Santa Fe Botanical Garden is a proud participant in The American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Program (RAP). Members of other RAP organizations receive free admission to the Santa Fe Botanical Garden.
The Reciprocal Admissions Program promotes horticulture across America, encouraging people to visit gardens while traveling. This program is a network of gardens with similar objectives, encouraging members to discover, explore, and share in this diverse community, striving to make “America a Nation of Gardeners, a Land of Gardens.” The American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Program offers free admission and/or additional benefits at nearly 345+ gardens throughout North America and the Cayman Islands.
AHS members as well as members of the participating gardens have access to a wide array of botanical gardens, arboreta, and conservatories throughout North America offering special admission privileges and many other benefits. The most up-to-date list of participating gardens as well as details on how to enjoy the benefits of RAP can be found in the online directory.
How many people receive benefits?
Each member card will only admit the individual(s) whose name is listed on the card. In the case of a family, couple, or household membership card that does not list individual names, SFBG honors the benefit(s) up to two of the members.
Join or renew your membership and receive RAP benefits.
Keep your membership card with you when you travel and continue to explore nature!
Admissions
All admissions tickets are purchased at time of visit
To give you the best visitor experience possible, upon arrival, members will give their name to check in and other visitors will purchase an admission ticket.
Free Admission Programs
Santa Fe Botanical Garden Members: Receive free daily admission! Become a member.
Monthly Community Days: A day of free admission to New Mexico residents (with ID) and students (with ID). Community Days are posted on our event calendar. Learn more.
American Horticulture Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Program: Admission is available for up to 2 adults who are also members of participating botanical gardens. Learn more.
Museums for All Program: Free admission with EBT card. To enter the Garden with your EBT card, follow the check-in signs when you arrive at the Garden. Learn more.
Guided Tours
Groups of 10 or more that wish to participate in a private docent-guided tour are asked to fill out the form below to request a guided tour at least 2 weeks in advance.
Maximum number of people in one tour is 15. To ensure everyone in your group has a great experience, if your group has more than 15 people you will need to request two separate tours which will either be scheduled simultaneously or consecutively, depending on staff/docent availability.
Payment, using a single debit or credit card, is required at least one week in advance.
Membership and reciprocal programs do not apply to guided tours.
Policies & Helpful Information
- Last entry is 30 minutes prior to closing.
- Groups of more than 20 people should make arrangements in advance. Email [email protected].
- The Garden has portable toilets that are available for public use.
- Reciprocal Admission Program Members will be asked to verify by showing their membership card at the Visitor Center.
- Please stay on designated pathways. The plants in our ecosystem can be very fragile, and do not respond well to footprints.
- No pets allowed in the Garden except trained service animals as defined by the U.S. Department of Justice: “A service animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.”
- No smoking, vaping, or use of other tobacco products is allowed in the Garden.
- The majority of the pathways in the Garden are wheelchair accessible, with the exception of the Art Trail, which is uneven and has one step. A quarter of the trail in the new Piñon-Juniper Woodland is ADA compliant. The Garden has one wheelchair and one walker available for loan on a first-come, first-served basis.
- For your comfort, we suggest that you bring a hat and sunscreen to protect your skin during your visit to the Garden.
- Picnics are allowed in the Garden. Visitors must abide by all Garden rules, avoid blocking pathways and remove trash. No glass containers allowed.
- SFBG welcomes artists who wish to sketch, paint, or photograph our grounds. Due to the fragile nature of our plants, only paints that are water-soluble are allowed on grounds (no oil-based or acrylic paints). Artists must register at the Visitor Services Center and pay the normal admissions fee for use of grounds. Photographs and videos shot must be for private, non-commercial use, except in specific exhibits or areas where photography may not be permitted. To arrange a photoshoot please review our photography policy and pricing and contact [email protected].
- In the event of inclement weather, the Botanical Garden will close to the public. Weather closures are posted on our homepage and on our Facebook page. If caught in a storm, please take shelter in the Hendricksen Pavilion.
American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Program
SFBG Members Receive Benefits Nationwide
The Santa Fe Botanical Garden is a proud participant in The American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Program (RAP). Members of other RAP organizations receive free admission to the Santa Fe Botanical Garden.
The Reciprocal Admissions Program promotes horticulture across America, encouraging people to visit gardens while traveling. This program is a network of gardens with similar objectives, encouraging members to discover, explore, and share in this diverse community, striving to make “America a Nation of Gardeners, a Land of Gardens.” The American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Program offers free admission and/or additional benefits at nearly 345+ gardens throughout North America and the Cayman Islands.
AHS members as well as members of the participating gardens have access to a wide array of botanical gardens, arboreta, and conservatories throughout North America offering special admission privileges and many other benefits. The most up-to-date list of participating gardens as well as details on how to enjoy the benefits of RAP can be found in the online directory.
How many people receive benefits?
Each member card will only admit the individual(s) whose name is listed on the card. In the case of a family, couple, or household membership card that does not list individual names, SFBG honors the benefit(s) up to two of the members.
Join or renew your membership and receive RAP benefits.
Keep your membership card with you when you travel and continue to explore nature!
