Fourteen major collections make up Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. They are all visually accessible from a 1.5 mile paved walkway. The collections include the largest herb garden in the Southeast and Florida’s largest display of bamboos. During warm months visitors can see giant Victoria water lilies and Asian snake arums. June through September offer the most color.
Days Open: Sunday - Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday - Friday - Saturday
Kanapaha Gardens is very user friendly, with benches, gazebos and other rest stations. Walkways are largely wheelchair accessible. Picnicking is allowed in designated areas and dogs are permitted on leash. You may come across preparations for a wedding, reception or conference as you stroll about. Kanapaha also offers a plant nursery where you can purchase plants displayed in the gardens, and the gift shop offers a wide array of original art and treasures from the natural world.
Kanapaha hosts the Annual Spring Garden Festival, the region’s premier horticultural event featuring more than 200 booths offering landscape displays, arts and crafts, plants, educational materials, and food. Visitors can also take part in silent auctions and enjoy entertainment and educational seminars. Parking is free, with off-site parking areas and shuttle buses helping the more than 10,000 guests. Be prepared for crowds of curious nature- and garden-loving people.
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is operated by the North Florida Botanical Society, a non-profit educational organization which developed and leases the 62 acre facility from Alachua County. The name is derived from the Timucua Indian words for “palmetto leaf” and “house” referring to thatched dwellings of the village on the shore of nearby Lake Kanapaha.
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Weds., & Friday 9a-5p; Saturday & Sunday 9a-dusk. Closed Thursday.
Admission: Adults $6; Children 6-13 $3; Children under 6 free; group rates available.
Located off SW Archer Rd. (SR 24) 1 mile west of I-75 exit #384, in southwest Gainesville.
