Group Visits and Field Trips
With over 300 acres to explore, the Gabis Arboretum is the perfect destination for environmental education!
Choose from Guided Youth Field Trips or Guided Adult Tours
Guided Youth Field Trips
The Gabis Arboretum has a great diversity of natural resources. Taking your students on a field trip to see some of them can be a wonderful experience and can help you incorporate Indiana Academic Science Standards in your teaching.
Field trips include a one and a half hour hike led by a trained naturalist or docent. Groups are welcome to come early or stay longer once the guided experience concludes. Hikes cover a vast array of environmental education concepts.
They are general in nature but inherently include some of the Indiana State Environmental Science Curriculum.
Cost
Guided Field Trips are $4 per person in addition to the admission fee. Teachers and up to three chaperones per class are admitted free.
Admission Fees:
$10 per non-member carload (includes cars, vans, RVs and motorcycles)
$25 per minibus (9 to 16 passengers)
$45 per tour bus or school bus (17+ passengers)
Groups can choose to add the Railway Garden exhibit to their field trip. The Railway Garden is open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (May 1 through October 31). Arrangements can be made to open on other days throughout the week for an additional fee of $5 per person with a minimum of 20 people. Email us for more information.
Guided Adult Tour
Guided adult tours are a great opportunity for garden clubs, model train clubs, or employee-appreciation events!
Trained volunteer naturalists will lead your group through your choice of gardens and landscapes.
Guided experiences are one and a half hours and take place outdoors. Large groups will be divided into groups of approximately 25 people.
Cost
Guided tours are $4 per person in addition to the admission fee. A golf cart tour can be requested for up to 5-people for $25 per hour in addition to the admission fee.
Admission Fees:
$10 per non-member carload (includes cars, vans, RVs and motorcycles)
$25 per minibus (9 to 16 passengers)
$45 per tour bus or school bus (17+ passengers)
*The Railway Garden is open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (May 1 through October 31). Arrangements can be made to open on other days throughout the week for an additional fee of $5 per person with a minimum of 20 people. Email us for more information.
Lunch
Outdoor picnic areas are available throughout the arboretum. There is no fee for usage but areas must be reserved in advance. You must remove your own trash. Please indicate that you need a picnic area in your reservation request.
Reservations
Reservations are required for groups larger than 16 at least one-month before your visit.
Self-Guided Groups
Self-guided groups can deepen their understanding of their natural surroundings while enjoying a visit to the arboretum! Self-exploration guides are available for download. Please print guides before arriving as the arboretum does not have every guide available on site.
Heron Pond Woodland Tree Walk
Explore the woodland trees along Heron Pond.
Tallgrass Prairie Guide
Take a self-guided tallgrass prairie tour.
Prairie Insects Guide
Learn about the different types of prairie insects.
Prairie Plants Guide
Explore the different types of prairie plants.
