Why You Should Visit
This is a small laid back field trip you only need a couple of hours for. It’s perfect for a picnic lunch and then a peaceful stroll.
Great Field Trip for These Topics:
- Botany/Native Plants
- Pioneers
Where to Begin Your Field Trip
Start at the information booth near the parking lot. Pay the small fee and pick up a map or you can print one here.
What Can You Expect to See & Do While Here?
Gardens: Their featured garden is the Dream Garden, maintained by master gardeners in the local community, but the arboretum has several different garden areas to check out. Near the pavilion is where you will find the well-manicured, more formal gardens. Take little ones to the Children’s garden and playhouse to explore. The Wofford house includes a kitchen and herb/medicinal garden.
The Wofford House Museum: Take a glimpse into the life of a pioneer family. This dogtrot style home was built in 1851 and shows off the East Texas architecture, as well as a home full of authentic furnishing and antiques used during the time.
The Discovery Barn: Built circa 1890, the barn is a glimpse into the farming lifestyle of the time. It was once used for milking cows and storing corn; it now showcases antique farm tools that would have been used during the era.
Hiking Trails: Take the 115 ft suspension bridge through 2 miles of trails winding through the woods and alongside an East Texas bog where you can see plants and animals native to this part of the state.
Honeybee Exhibit: Stop by and see the enclosed honeybees hard at work.
The Little Red School House: This feature is only unlocked by request, but makes for a good photo-op.
The Basics
1601 Patterson Rd. Athens, TX 75751
Adults $4.00
Children $1.00 / 3 and under FREE
Students & Senior Adults $3.00
M-W-S-S: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Open T-Th-F: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
(Closed for special events)
Tips for Visitors
Wear appropriate closed-toed shoes on the hiking trails. Part of the terrain is slightly rugged and can become muddy.
Consider bringing a pair of binoculars for spotting some of the unique birds living in the East Texas bogs.
The Arboretum is pet friendly.
There are many great downloadable apps available to help you identify plants and birds. The East Texas Arboretum recommends eBird and iNaturalist. We’ve had great luck with PictureThis.
Interpretive guides for the Wofford House & the Discovery Barn are available to download from their website.
Additional Resources
Children’s Book: Gardening Lab for Kids: 52 Fun Experiments to Learn, Grow, Harvest, Make, Play, and Enjoy Your Garden
Toy: My Fairy Garden Nature Cottage – Grow & Play Set
Great Pioneer Projects: You Can Build Yourself
by Rachel Dickinson
