When is Willowwood Arboretum Open and how do I get there?
Is the Garden open year-round? Is it open seven days a week? Dogs allowed?
The Willowwood Arboretum is open year-round, Daily, 8 am to dusk. (Please follow all health guidelines). Dogs (and other animals) are not permitted at Willowwood except for leashed ADA service qualified dogs.
There’s always some wonderful gift from Nature to see in the gardens in every season! There are gorgeous meadows and walking/hiking trails as well as the gardens.
The Tubbs House is only open to Visitors during special events. But make sure to see the gardens surrounding the house: Pan’s Garden, the Rosarie, the Cottage Garden. Visit our Garden Description pages for more information.
Parking (including handicapped parking) is available in the main parking area. For larger events (for example, weddings), parking is generally directed to the field parking area.
Is there an admission fee to enter the Garden?
Not normally. However, there may be special events, such as Autumn Open House, Sounds for Sculpture etc. where a fee is charged. See our Events Page for details of special programs.
NO SMOKING Policy at Willowwood Arboretum
The Morris County Park Commission has recently announced a No Smoking Policy banning all smoking including burning of, inhaling from, exhaling the smoke from or the possession of a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or any other matter of substance which contains tobacco or any other matter that can be smoked, or the inhaling or exhaling of smoke or vapor from an electronic smoking device. Thank you for support. Our plants and trees breathe too!
Is it easy to get to the Garden? How do I get there?
Please look at our Directions page for GPS settings and other information.
Is there a walking trail from Bamboo Brook to Willowwood Arboretum?
Yes, as seen on this Trail Map of Bamboo Brook and Willowwood Arboretums.
Are the Gardens accessible?
Willowwood began as a farm and there are some rolling hills and meadows with hiking paths and open grassy fields. Those in wheelchairs will find a graveled parking lot, and then a stone and macadam walking path from the parking lot, past the Stone Barn, the Greenhouse, the entrance to the Cottage Garden (which contains uneven stone pathways midst the beds) towards the Tubbs House. Entrance to the Gardens varies. Pan’s Garden is reached via a grass/gravel path at the rear of the Tubbs House. The Rosarie Garden has a graveled path on a slight incline at the rear of the barn. Walking some areas may prove challenging. Resting benches are placed strategically during the Spring/Summer/Fall Growing Season within the individual gardens.
Weddings, Parties and Corporate Events
Can I have my wedding at the Garden? Whom do I contact for information?
Garden facilities can be rented for special parties, corporate events and wedding receptions or a combination of a ceremony and reception. Details may be found on the Morris Parks Weddings Page.
Please note for Marriage Licenses: The correct mailing address for the Willowwood Arboretum is 300 Longview Road, Far Hills, NJ 07931. The correct physical address is 300 Longview Road, Chester Township. The geographic area the Arboretum is located in is called “Far Hills” and uses the Far Hills Post Office for mailing.
See this website’s “NEWS” page for two wedding stories and pictures. Or visit this link: A Simple Outdoor Tented Wedding at The Willowwood Arboretum in Gladstone, New Jersey.
Photography, Photo Shoots, and Permissions
Can visitors take photographs throughout the Garden?
Gardens are open daily 8 am to dusk. Visitors are welcome to take informal photographs at the Garden, as long as they stay on the paths and do not disturb the plants and collections. We want everyone’s experience to be enjoyable. Photography may be restricted or limited to alleviate crowding and protect the plants.
A fee and/or a photography permit may be required to have exclusive use of a location at a specific time to photograph your memories.
Can I take my wedding photographs at the Garden? I am a Professional Photographer, how do I arrange to take client photos?
PERMITS/FEES ARE REQUIRED for wedding or professional photography shoots at Willowwood and Bamboo Brook. For all professional photographers, you must pay a fee and obtain a permit. Details may be found on the Morris Parks Weddings Page.
Memorial Opportunities at MCPC Facilities including Willowwood:
The Morris County Park Commission’s memorial program is administered by The Morris County Park Alliance. The Alliance was created as an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization to support all of the Park Commission’s various parks, historic sites, environmental and horticulture facilities…including Willowwood Arboretum. Denise Lanza is the MCPC’s liaison for The Alliance. She is able to provide more information on memorial/remembrance options. Contact her directly at dlanza@morrisparks.net.
Drones Permitted?
NO, DRONES ARE NOT PERMITTED at the Morris County Parks
Horticulture Questions:
Do you have a question about Willowwood’s Plants and Displays?
Our Horticulture Information Team can answer it for you! We can answer your questions about our history and horticulture, help you identify plants that you see in our Gardens, and even let you know if a plant you see here can be grown at your home.
Contact us via email at: contactus@willowwoodarboretum.org