Houston Arboretum & Nature Center strives to provide a natural environment that is welcoming to all visitors.
Accessible Trails & Hikes
The Arboretum has approximately 2 miles of accessible trails available. Learn more about the Arboretum’s trail system, including trail length and surface type, on the Trails page.
Not sure where to start? Check out our Accessibility Hike, a self-guided, 1/2 mile hike along some of our accessible trails. There are several points of interest where you can engage your senses while you explore different ecosystems. The trail surfaces are wheelchair accessible, consisting of boardwalks, decomposed granite, metal grates, and paved concrete. There are benches located along the way where you can rest when needed.
Accessible Amenities
Both the Woodway Parking Loop and the 610 Parking Loop have accessible parking and van accessible parking spots available. Parking is $6 per day, free on Thursdays, and free year-round for Arboretum Members
The Nature Center has accessible bathrooms located both inside and outside of the building. The outside bathrooms are open to the public after the Nature Center closes.
Water fountains with refillable water bottle stations are located both inside and outside the Nature Center, near the bathrooms.
The Nature Shop, located at the front of the Nature Center, has snacks and drinks for purchase during business hours.
Equipment Rentals
Houston Arboretum is proud to offer an electronic mobility scooter and an all-terrain manual wheelchair for check out at our Nature Center. This service is offered during Nature Center hours, from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, and is free to the public. The chair and the scooter are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please check our Plan Your Visit page to view a full list of building and grounds closures.
This all-terrain manual wheelchair can traverse the majority of our trails with ease and provides a way for people with lower body mobility issues to explore more of the Houston Arboretum’s trails.
Intended for use on our accessible trails, the mobility scooter offers a way for visitors to explore the trails at a comfortable pace.
Service Animals
We welcome service animals that are trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. Emotional support/comfort/therapy animals or pets are not permitted in the Discovery Room or Nature Shop located in the Nature Center, or on the Playscape.
Please read the following guidelines:
- Service animals should be leashed, harnessed, or tethered, or controlled through voice, signal, or other effective controls.
- The handler is responsible for controlling the behavior of the service animal at all times.
- Please clean up after the service animal to help us maintain a healthy ecosystem.
- If at any time the service animal becomes a threat to the safety or well-being of any of the staff, volunteers, or visitors on-site, the Arboretum reserves the right to refuse access to the animal.
Large Events
Many of our large open house events can be loud and crowded. The Arboretum offers a quiet space for visitors who need relief from sensory stimulation. Please ask a staff member for assistance if needed.
Questions?
For questions regarding accessibility on our trails, Nature Playscape, and other facilities, or to inquire about accommodations for programming, please reach out to our Accessibility Coordinator at [email protected] for further assistance. We do ask for a 2-week notice for accommodation requests. We will try to the best of our ability to fulfill accommodations.