Directions & Guidelines

Collections Directions and Guidelines

The main entrance to the Native Plant Collection is directly across the street from the Williams Street entrance to Connecticut College at Harkness Chapel. Look for the double wrought iron gates with large golden leaves.  Tour buses may let passengers out at the main gate on Williams Street, but then must park in the south end of the South Parking Lot on the Connecticut College campus.

The Caroline Black Garden is located across the street from the Connecticut College main entrance.  It is just off Route 32 at 4 Winchester Road; best accessed by taking the road to the College Athletic Center and an immediate right onto Winchester Road. Take a right at the first driveway, which leads to Vinal Cottage. When visiting the Caroline Black Garden, cars can usually fit in the parking lot behind Vinal Cottage.  Buses may let passengers out at the entrance to the parking lot, and then must park at the south end of the South Parking lot on the main campus.

The Greenhouse is located on the south side of New London Hall, this historic William H. Lutton Co. greenhouse contains tropical plants for teaching and research.

The oak and hemlock forested Bolleswood Natural Area is located west of the Arboretum Pond; the Goodwin Natural Area is north of Gallows Lane; and the rocky, wooded, 40-acre Mamacoke Island in the Thames River is attached to the mainland by a small tidal salt marsh.

Self Guided Tour Brochures

A self-guided tour brochure may be found on the sign board inside the main entrance to the Native Plant Collection on Williams Street, at our North Entrance gate across from 33 Gallows Lane and the Caroline Black Garden on Mohegan Avenue/Rt. 32.

Guidelines for a safe and enjoyable visit

• Dogs are welcome and must be leashed at all times. Owners are responsible for removal and disposal of their dogs’ wastes. Bags are provided at the entrance to the Native Plant Collection on Williams Street, at the Outdoor Theater and inside our North Entrance.
• Jogging, organized sports, biking, camping, hunting, creating fires or driving vehicles within the Arboretum, are prohibited, as these activities are damaging to the ecology of the landscape.
• Jogging is permitted ONLY on the designated jogging trails between Rt. 32 and the Thames River or the paved roads on campus. Please limit jogging to the areas marked on the Arboretum Jogging Trails.
• Please Do NOT disturb or remove plant labels, they are used to educate the public and are essential for tracking specific trees throughout their lives.
• Please do NOT dump ice from coolers or other containers in grass areas or planting beds as this will harm the grass/plants. Please dump ice in roadways or storm drains.
• Do NOT remove plant material without permission from the Arboretum office.
• Do NOT bring glitter, confetti, balloons or temporary signs into the Arboretum.
• Alcoholic beverages may not be brought into the Arboretum.
• Private groups with more than 10 people wishing to visit the Arboretum are required to inform the Arboretum office of their visit at least one week in advance in order for us to plan accordingly.

Thank you and please enjoy your visit!