Frequently Asked Questions

The grounds are open from dawn until dusk. The Howell House Visitors Center and Gift Shop are open Monday through Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday & Sunday, 10am-4pm. Restrooms are available when the Visitors Center is open.

The Knoxville Botanical Garden does not charge admission to visitors, and the grounds are free and open to the public 365 days a year. If you enjoy your visit, please consider making a donation or becoming a member.

Professional photographers and all individuals receiving compensation (money or otherwise) for photographs taken at the Garden must purchase a Photography Pass.

If you are taking photos for your personal, unpublished use, you are welcome to do so free of charge.

We welcome you to tag us on Facebook and Instagram: @knoxgarden.

Restrooms are available to the general public during our Visitors Center operating hours, Monday through Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday & Sunday 10am-4pm.

Pets are allowed on leashes, provided you clean up after them and keep them out of garden beds.

The Garden has diverse four season interest due in large part to our collection of mature trees, textured topography, and mountain views And the iconic stone walls that grace our grounds become all the more visable in the winter months. East Tennessee has a number of winter blooming plants, including as Witch Hazel (Hamamelis sp.), Lenten Rose (Helleborus), and Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum).

The Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum is a non-profit that is funded by the generosity of donors, members, and guests. Unlike a public park or unIversity-managed garden, we do not receive ongoing operational support from public or university budgets.

We welcome your support in the form of a donation or membership. Thank you for your support.

The majority of the walking surfaces throughout the Garden are grass and gravel, with the exception of the Secret Garden, which has a paved, sloping pathway throughout its three sections. Most of the garden areas can be accessed without the use of stairs. Bathrooms in the Visitor Center are on the main floor of an historic home with no stairs needed for access, but hallways are narrow due to the old residential nature of the home. For more information about accessibility, please call 865.862.8717.

We encourage visitors to bring water for their time at the Garden. There is a drinking fountain next to the Every Child Outdoors garden. With the exception of special events like Fall Festival, we do not offer food and beverage on site. We are just minutes from a wide selection of delicious options downtown!

We do! Both our World and Family Gardens are rentable to community. Please contact sarah@knoxgarden.org for more information about availability.

The handmade house tucked away in the back of the Secret Garden is a Free Little Library. We welcome you to enjoy a book, or drop one off for a friend to read.