The University of Hawaiʻi's botanical garden at the back of Mānoa Valley: nearly 200 acres of tropical plants and over 7 miles of trails, open weekdays only. Everyone signs in at the Visitors Center. Expect mosquitoes, rain and narrow, slippery trails; the gardens around the Visitors Center can be seen from paved sidewalks.
Know before you go. Lyon Arboretum doesn't list sensory hours or a quiet room. Here's what it does say about the trails, the weather, the bugs and the water.
Hours
Monday to Friday, 9 am to 3 pm; closed weekends and state and federal holidays. The Arboretum also closes now and then for construction, sometimes at the last minute, and posts closures on its homepage and its Calendar of Events and Closures (so far Fri Apr 9 2027 is a posted closure).
3860 Mānoa Road, Honolulu, HI 96822 (the entrance is at the end of Mānoa Road, just past Paradise Park; the parking lot is next to the Visitors Center)
Stay close“Avoid entering streams or ponds, especially if you have open cuts or wounds. Leptospirosis and other harmful bacteria may be present in the water or soil.”
“Be prepared for mosquitoes and other insects – insect repellent is recommended.”
“No, it’s not pterodactyls. That screeching is actually Indonesian cockatoos, including the Salmon-Crested, Umbrella, and Goffin Cockatoos.” Lyon Arboretum Trail Guide (map PDF)
“Walk carefully – trails may be narrow, slippery, and uneven.”
“Given our sloping landscape, tropical weather and extensive acreage, the majority of our trails are not wheelchair-accessible.” manoa.hawaii.edu/lyon (Accessibility)
“Check weather conditions prior to your visit and be prepared for potential sun or rain by bringing a hat, sunscreen, and rain poncho or jacket.”
“ALL visitors to the Arboretum must sign in at the Visitors Center.”
One stop, one short walk: sign in at the Visitors Center (bathrooms and maps are there), then follow the paved ADA path downhill past the Betty Ho Memorial Garden to the gazebo by the Young Memorial Garden pond, and turn around there. The Rain Shelter near the end of the parking lot is your rainy-day stop.
Streams and ponds run through the grounds. Decide in the car who stays at your kid's side near the water.
Parking is first come, first served and only for Arboretum visitors (cars headed to the Mānoa Falls trail get towed). If the lot is full, the Paradise Park lot down the road costs $7 ($5 kamaʻāina and military), or park in the Mānoa neighborhood; it's about a 7 to 10 minute walk up the access road to the Visitors Center.
Everyone signs in at the Visitors Center, where you can pick up a map, use the bathrooms, visit the small gift shop and ask about trail closures. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $10 per person, and no reservations are needed right now.
Trails may be narrow, slippery and uneven, and not all are well marked or maintained; most aren't wheelchair accessible. The Betty Ho, Stemmermann, Young Memorial and Mapes gardens can be seen from paved sidewalks around the Visitors Center.
Plan for mosquitoes, sun and rain: the Arboretum recommends insect repellent, closed-toe shoes with good traction, a hat, sunscreen and a rain poncho or jacket. Beware of falling branches, especially when it's windy.
Quieter
The gazebo in the Young Memorial Garden, down the paved path from the Visitors Centerquiet zone
What to bring: sturdy shoes, a water bottle, bug spray, a raincoat, a hat, sunscreen, snacks and a camera. Leave pets (service animals are allowed), drones and bathing suits at home. There are two water fountains, near the main trailhead and near the main greenhouse, and bottled water is sold in the Gift Shop.
Keiki kits: a Lyon Arboretum Exploration Kit (a magnifying glass, crayons and an activity booklet) is $7 at the Visitors Center on the day of your visit. You can also pre-order one, which the Arboretum recommends for busy times such as school breaks.
Docent-led tours: walk-up small-group tours (up to 7 people) when a docent is available that day; check the docent tour calendar and sign up at the Gift Shop when you arrive. $15 per person; children under 12 are free (one line says 12 and under).
Trails: the walk to ʻAihualama Falls along the Main Trail takes 25 minutes to an hour each way and gets more rugged farther into the forest, with roots and possible mud; the falls are often nearly dry unless it has rained. The slope up to Inspiration Point is more strenuous than other walks.
Rules: stay on the marked paths, don't go into streams or ponds, don't drink stream water or eat plants, and don't take plants, soil, rocks or water. Large picnics and sports on the lawns, smoking, vaping and drones aren't allowed. Organized groups of 8 or more must arrange their visit ahead with the Education Department (LyonEdu@hawaii.edu), for a fee.
Fall Plant & Craft Sale, Fri Dec 4 and Sat Dec 5 2026, 9 am to 3 pm, around the Visitors Center and Greenhouse, with plant and craft vendors, a food truck and music. Parking on those days was by reservation, and the reservations are full; walk-ups are welcome 10:30 am to 2:30 pm and must be dropped off at the entrance gate or park in the upper Mānoa neighborhood. Only service animals are allowed.
Email
LyonEdu@hawaii.eduEducation Department: groups of 8 or more, guided group tours
