If you're looking to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, The Dawes Arboretum is the perfect destination! Whether you’re planning a solo stroll, a family outing or a peaceful day of exploration, Dawes offers a wide range of affordable and accessible ways to visit. Keep on reading to learn more!
🎟️ General Admission
- Adults (16+): $10
- Youth (ages 5–15): $5
- Children under 5: Always free
💸 Admission Discounts
- Seniors (60+) and Active Military: $2 off regular admission
- Children under 5: Always free
- Foster Families in Ohio, Museums for All participants, and SNAP users: $3 admission (ages 5+), with proof of eligibility.
Members of other select partner institutions can receive $3 off regular admission. These include:
- Columbus Metropolitan Club
- Columbus Museum of Art and the Pizzuti Collection
- Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
- COSI (Center of Science and Industry)
- Franklin Park Conservatory
- LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Columbus
- National Veterans Memorial and Museum
- Ohio History Center
- Wexner Center of the Arts
Additionally, members of The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art and Technology enjoy 50% off admission.
Did you know? If you have a reciprocal membership with a participating garden through the American Horticultural Society, you may be eligible for free reciprocal admission at Dawes—just show your valid membership card at the entrance!
📚 Visit Free with a Library Pass
Thanks to partnerships with 15 local library systems, Dawes offers free admission passes that are available at 61 branch locations. Each library pass grants free entry for up to six people, and kids under 5 are always free. In 2024 alone, over 2,100 library passes were used, resulting in nearly 8,000 visits. As a bonus, guests using a library pass may receive 10% off when purchasing a membership on the same day of their visit. Participating libraries include:
- Alexandria Public Library
- Fairfield County District Library
- Columbus Metropolitan Libraries
- Granville Public Library
- Licking County Library
- Community Library
- Guernsey County District Public Library
- Homer Public Library
- Muskingum County Library System
- Pataskala Public Library
- Perry County District Library
- Pickerington Public Library
- The Wagnalls Memorial Library
- Worthington Libraries
- OSU-Newark Warner Library
🐢 Explore Red Barn Reserve and Dutch Fork Wetlands
Did you know the Red Barn Reserve and Dutch Fork Wetlands are areas of Dawes that are free to the public year-round? Both are open during the same business hours as our main grounds. Seek wetland creatures and a prairie at the Dutch Fork Wetlands, and discover a white pine forest, meadows, pond, wetland and stream at the Red Barn Reserve!
🌳 Become a Member
Do you enjoy Dawes and want to visit more often? Consider becoming a member! Benefits include:
- Free year-round admission
- Discounts on Dawes programs and events
- 15% off in the Gift Shop
- Catch-and-release fishing at Dawes Lake
- Discounts at select local retailers
- Reciprocal privileges at over 300 gardens across North America
Seniors, active military and college students receive 10% off memberships with valid ID. Click here to explore membership options!
Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning for another season of discovery, Dawes strives to makes it easy, welcoming, and accessible for everyone to connect with nature. Plan your visit today and make the most of your time outdoors.