Directions & Parking

Location

signage

4801 Arboretum Way
Tuscaloosa, AL 35404

Please send mail to our campus mailbox.

The Arboretum is located adjacent to the Harry Pritchett Running Park (former University golf course), near the McAbee Recreation Center and VA Medical Center at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Parkway (15th Street East) and Loop Road.

Download a printable trail map (pdf)

Driving Directions

Visitors cannot enter through the gate on Pelham Heights Road. Please make sure your GPS or map directions go to the intersection of Veterans Memorial Parkway (15th Street East) and Loop Road.

To enter the Arboretum, go through the tall, red, metal gate; pass through the running park/former University golf course; proceed to the rear of the paved parking lot; veer left at the Arboretum sign; and proceed through the black automatic gate down the one-lane gravel road.

Traffic flows both ways. Please drive slowly and pull over for approaching vehicles.

Parking

The main visitor parking lot is located uphill from the pavilion and greenhouses. You will travel approximately 0.3 mi through the forest, turn right at the intersection, and continue on the drive to reach our main visitor parking lot. This lot is where most visitors will want to park as it has easy access to the pavilion, greenhouses, restrooms, and trails.

A secondary small parking lot is available adjacent to the Children’s Garden. Two additional spots are located near the Wildflower Garden, and additional spaces may be available in the staff parking lot behind the Greenhouses, particularly for those guests who have difficulty navigating steps or trails.

Handicapped accessible parking is available in our staff parking lot next to the greenhouses. Please turn left at the intersection and take the next right up the hill past the shop to reach the staff/handicapped parking area. There is also a handicapped accessible parking spot beside the road near the wildflower garden.

Please do not park in or along the road without permission from Arboretum staff. Parking on the grass or any area other than gravel/road is prohibited.

For large events, visitors may be asked to park at the paved lot at our entrance and walk or ride a shuttle van to the Arboretum facilities.

Visitors are also welcome to park in the paved area and walk to the Arboretum.