Lyon Arboretum (Harold L. Lyon Arboretum)
Mānoa
A University Rainforest Garden at the Back of Mānoa Valley
Lyon Arboretum, at 3860 Mānoa Road, is the University of Hawaiʻi's research garden and public botanical garden at the back of Mānoa Valley, about five miles from Waikīkī. It covers nearly 200 acres with more than 7 miles of trails and over 6,000 plant types. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $10 per person; docent-led walk-up tours are $15 (children under 12 free) and need a docent available that day. It is open to the public Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 3 PM, and closed weekends and state and federal holidays.
All visitors must sign in at the Visitors Center, and parking is for arboretum visitors only (cars of people heading to Mānoa Falls will be towed); the lot is free but limited, with overflow at Paradise Park for $7 ($5 kamaʻāina and military) and a 7–10 minute walk. Trails can be narrow, slippery and uneven, the arboretum warns of leptospirosis in streams and ponds, and the homepage warns of last-minute closures because of construction and a seed-lab renovation.
Why Roamwise recommends this
A lush, cheap rainforest walk in town — better than most gardens for travelers who want real trails.
Best for: nature walks, a free-to-cheap morning, plant lovers, a rainy-day stroll with a poncho.
Insider tip: closed weekends, so plan a weekday, wear closed-toe shoes with traction, and don't swim or wade in the streams.
- Hazards / conditions:
- Trails may be narrow, slippery and uneven; streams and ponds can carry leptospirosis, and branches can fall.
- Safety notes:
- The arboretum's homepage (updated 10/01/26) warns of frequent short-notice closures for construction — check before you go.
- Weather sensitivity:
- Wet and muddy after rain; bring a poncho.
- Cost:
- Free; a $10 per person donation is suggested. Docent tours are $15. (checked October 2026)
Reviews: Google MapsYelp
Local tips
- •Free
- •$10 per person donation suggested. Docent tours are $15.
- •Open Monday–Friday 9 AM–3 PM
- •closed weekends and holidays.
- •Sign in at the Visitors Center
- •parking is limited and for arboretum visitors only.
- •Wear close-toed shoes with traction
- •bring repellent and a poncho
- •stay out of streams.
- •Closures can happen on short notice because of construction.
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