Rutgers University in New Brunswick may be on your radar for its college football games (go Scarlet Knights!), but here’s another lesser-known fact—it’s home to one of the most unique gardens in New Jersey. The Rutgers Gardens are a serene space to explore and appreciate the beauty of nature, especially when blooms pop during the spring and summer. During your visit, you can stroll through distinct gardens, including a Rain Garden, Bamboo Grove, Pollinator Garden, and the largest collection of American Hollies in the US or take a hike on a trail in Heylar Woods. And kids will be delighted to spot a few Rutgers University students tending to the student farm. Read on to find out what to expect during your day trip to the gardens at Rutgers University. (featured photo: istock/DebraLee Wiseberg)
Spend The Day At Rutgers Gardens
Walk through the gardens
With over 50 acres to explore, Rutgers Gardens exposes kids to the environment and gardening, and how the diverse plantings play a role in our environment. Take a look at the map to help you guide you within the 14 distinct areas to explore, each one unique in its own way. At the Rain Garden, kids can learn how the space is designed to reduce stormwater runoff from impermeable surfaces, combat erosion of local streams and rivers, and help remove pollutants from the water. Then, head to the Pollinator Garden, which is filled with plants that require the help of bees, insects, and hummingbirds to set seed. These plants also provide shelter, food, and migratory sites for a diverse range of pollinators. In Bamboo Grove, the 2 acres of towering bamboo will wow you, and each season, new culms grow to over 30 feet tall. Some of the other spaces to visit include the All-America Selections Garden, where the best of the best blooms from seed are planted, the Art Rudolph Sun and Shade Garden to find a spot to rest, Heylar Woods for trails to hike among decades-old trees, and the Holly Collection with the largest collection of Holly Trees in the US.
Learn from an expert
Want to know more about how these gardens grow? Take a guided tour offered throughout the year, which is a great way to learn and explore Rutgers Gardens. During these tours, an expert will introduce you to unique specimens, including some plants that are unique to the botanical garden setting. As you walk through the gardens, staff members and other experts will answer any questions that you may have. There are also specific days when special events with experts are held, including Haul Out Your Holly: A Tour of the Evergreen Garden and Holly Collection, Tree Planting and Pruning 101, and All About Pollinator Gardens.
Become a volunteer
Team members and students are the primary caregivers of the gardens and often need the assistance of volunteers to ensure the gardens are maintained and ready for visitors to explore. The Rutgers Gardens will organize volunteer outings during weekday seasonal operating hours in their display gardens, as well as in the natural areas, which are accessible via the Heylar Woods trails. Another section where volunteers can help is the Rutgers Gardens Student Farm, a great way to get kids involved in the gardening process and teach them the importance of nature in our community.
Sign your kids up for the 4-H summer camp
Looking for something fun and educational for your kids to do during the summertime? Thanks to a collaboration between Rutgers Gardens and New Jersey’s 4-H Camp Program, kids can spend their time off from school in nature. This program combines the social and emotional learning experience of 4-H Camp with the serene environment of Rutgers Gardens. During camp, kids participate in a variety of experiences, including learning in the gardens, studying butterflies, birds, bats, and bees, engaging in camper-initiated activities during free time, hiking in Heylar Woods, and enjoying many other fun activities.
What to know before you go
Rutgers Gardens is open year-round, and admission to the grounds is free of charge. However, donations are always welcome to support the maintenance and care of the plants and natural areas. The seasonal operating hours are Tuesdays through Sundays from 8 AM to 7 PM, and all guests must exit the property by 7 PM. There are areas of Rutgers Gardens that feature grass, stone paths, uneven terrain, unpaved trails, and stairs. Be sure to wear proper footwear for the season and weather conditions. You can enjoy a blanket picnic, and feel free to bring outside food and drinks; however, there are no picnic tables available. Seeking a venue for a unique event? The Log Cabin and Alumni Pavilion are available for private rental on-site at a fee. If you need to sit or take a rest, benches are situated throughout the gardens for you to take in the scenery and enjoy the views. Restrooms are available near the Display Gardens.
To learn more about Rutgers Gardens, visit their website or Instagram.
Rutgers Gardens
130 Log Cabin Road
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
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