Boone County Arboretum

Kentucky, United States

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Boone County Arboretum in Union, Kentucky, spans 121 acres and holds the distinction of being the first arboretum in the United States established within an active recreation park setting.

Dedicated in 1999, it includes over 3,300 plants featuring more than 1,400 trees and 1,900 shrubs representing over 870 taxa, all carefully labeled and mapped with GPS for an interactive learning experience. The arboretum is designed as a living museum with specialized plant family arrangements connected by 2.2 miles of paved multi-use trails that wind through garden collections, forested areas, and athletic fields.

It features unique zones like a children’s garden, a butterfly garden, and a woodland trail educating visitors about invasive species threats. Boone County Arboretum also offers numerous horticultural classes and community programs, making it both a peaceful place for nature appreciation and an educational resource for gardeners and nature enthusiasts.

Pets are welcome on leashes, and the entire site is open daily from dawn to dusk without charge.