John A. Finch Arboretum began in 1907 as a plan to build a garden and marked off a mile-long strip of land along Garden Springs Creek for a future garden space. The rest of the land for an arboretum was purchased in 1912 with the assistance of mining investor John A. Finch.
The John A. Finch Arboretum is open all year with free admission.
We invite you to visit every season!
Early Spring – See the last snow melting in the cold sun and smell the fragrance of Daphne. The explosions of Yellow Witchhazel and early Dogwood are easy to detect, but there are trees and shrubs of startling greens and pinks as buds and blooms begin to burst.
April & May – Many of our visitors enjoy these months the best due to our collection of dogwoods, lilacs, and magnolias! Come to our April Arbor Day event, when trees are celebrated for their contributions to the quality of our lives. Take a walk along Garden Springs Creek, beyond the “Touch and See Nature Trail,” where you will see how the daffodils have spread and colonized into a river of yellow.
June–August – The trees now do their best, silent work. It has been shown that temperature in the shade of trees can be 10° to 15° cooler; they catch dust and particles on their leaves and create oxygen; they shelter and feed wildlife; and lastly, they reduce noise. These features make the expansive arboretum lawn a perfect picnic spot under the trees at the end of a hot day!
Fall – The arboretum now blazes and sparkles! Everyone comes to the Fall Leaf Festival! The Mountain Ash, Maple and Oak trees are the most well-known for their berries and leaf colors. The artistry of these fall colors create incredible photographs and backdrop for beautiful wedding events.