William Bartram Arboretum

Alabama, United States

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The William Bartram Arboretum in Wetumpka, Alabama, is a 30-acre arboretum named after the celebrated 18th-century naturalist William Bartram, who explored the region in 1776 studying its plants and wildlife.

It is part of the larger 165-acre Fort Toulouse-Jackson Park at the meeting point of the Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers, and was opened in 1977 through a collaboration between The Garden Club of Alabama and the Alabama Historical Commission.

The arboretum features a network of boardwalks and trails that wind through wildflower fields, bogs, and forested areas, with labeled shrubs and flowers providing educational value for visitors. It offers scenic views over the Tallapoosa River and leads to historic Fort Toulouse, blending natural beauty with cultural heritage.

Open year-round from sunrise to sunset, the arboretum honors Bartram’s legacy in botanical exploration and serves as a place for both recreation and learning about Alabama’s native flora.