UBC Botanical Garden
Discover Canada's oldest university botanical garden, featuring diverse plant collections and a thrilling treetop canopy walk.
A hidden gem on the University of British Columbia campus, the UBC Botanical Garden is a lush, 44-hectare oasis of biodiversity. Established in 1916, it's a living museum of temperate plants from around the world. The garden is comprised of numerous smaller, themed areas, from a traditional Asian garden to a forest of native BC rainforest plants. But the highlight for many is the Greenheart TreeWalk, a series of suspension bridges offering a unique bird's-eye view of the forest canopy.
Why Visit UBC Botanical Garden?
- Greenheart TreeWalk: Experience the coastal temperate rainforest from 23 metres (75 ft) high on a series of suspension bridges through the treetops.
- Diverse Gardens: Explore dozens of curated collections, including an Alpine Garden, a traditional Physic Garden with medicinal plants, and a Food Garden.
- A Living Laboratory: As part of UBC, the garden is a major centre for botanical research, conservation, and education.
- Peace & Tranquility: It's a perfect escape from the city, offering peaceful walks through beautiful and varied landscapes.
What to See & Do
- Greenheart TreeWalk: The number one attraction. This 310-metre-long aerial trail system gives you a squirrel's-eye view of the forest. (Note: Seasonal operation and separate admission apply).
- Asian Garden: Stroll through a forest of rhododendrons, maples, and other plants from across Asia, complete with streams and a moon gate.
- BC Rainforest Garden: Discover the native flora of British Columbia, with towering trees and lush undergrowth typical of the local coastal rainforest.
- Food Garden: See what's growing in the demonstration food garden, which showcases sustainable food production on a small scale.
- Nitobe Memorial Garden: A short walk from the main garden is this exquisite traditional Japanese stroll garden, considered one of the most authentic in North America (separate admission).
Food & Drink Options
- There are limited food options at the garden itself, mainly snacks and drinks at the gift shop.
- It's a perfect place for a picnic. Bring your own food to enjoy in one of the designated areas.
- A wider variety of cafes and restaurants can be found a short bus ride away in Wesbrook Village or near the main UBC campus bus loop.
Pro Tips & Local Insights
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: The garden is large and involves a lot of walking on varied terrain.
- Check TreeWalk Hours: The Greenheart TreeWalk operates seasonally (typically April to October) and has specific hours. Check the official website before your visit.
- Allow Plenty of Time: To see the main gardens and the TreeWalk, plan for at least 2-3 hours.
Nearby Attractions (Transit-Friendly)
- Museum of Anthropology at UBC: A world-renowned museum featuring incredible First Nations art and artifacts.
- Pacific Spirit Regional Park: A massive, forested park with an extensive network of trails, surrounding the UBC campus.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: YesUBC Botanical Garden Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Address: Administration Building, 6804 SW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
Phone: (604) 822-4208
Official Website: UBC Botanical Garden
UBC Botanical Garden Reviews
Rated out of 5
The garden was huge in size. I spent three hours exploring it. However, it was never enough. It took one hour just for the treewalk. The experience was amazing. Thanks for the engineers and workers for coming up with the idea, and making it come true. I have never stand at this height, next to the tree. The garden was well maintained. All plants are named, with introduction. I decided to buy an annual pass to enjoy it.
Linda Luk - 4 months ago
Nice peaceful garden but more trees than flowers. Kind of small, the UBS side is interesting to see but you will have to go back through the tunnel. The tree walk looks fun but probably not worth the extra price. Would recommend this place when you need take kids somewhere or wanting to pay for a walk amongst the trees
Jimbly168 - 4 months ago
I really love UBC Botanical Garden, it truly feels like a hidden gem. If you enjoy flowers, plants, and nature like I do, it’s the perfect place to unwind and escape the city. It’s great for relaxation and also a nice spot for families. The staff were super friendly, and the treetop walk was a lot of fun. It’s also a more affordable option compared to Capilano in North Vancouver. I’d love to come back when everything is in full bloom, and I definitely want to explore the food garden again—it was really interesting. I highly recommend it.
Arturo Sevein - 5 months ago
Visited the gardens and the Greenheart Treewalk. Incredible! Our 4 kids (ages 4-9) loved it! They had so much fun on the Treewalk. All the staff we talked to was so friendly and knowledgeable. Botanical gardens are beautiful. Next time we visit Vancouver we will visit again. The gift shop has some good finds too!
Bianca Coats - 6 months ago
The UBC Botanical Garden , located on the UBC Campus , provides a vast living collection of ecosystems with interesting landmarks , trails and details of many plants and trees…the focus for education , conservation , research , community outreach and public display…there is quite a display of native flowers and trees..there is a parking lot with a very short walk to the garden…we always spend at least 1-2 hours each visit as there is so much to see and experience….the staff are very friendly and informed…the paths are easy to navigate and provide a deep stroll into the forest with detailed information about trees , plants and flowers…
Michael Moriarity - a month ago
Directions
| Skytrain + Bus Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Line -> R4 | Oakridge-41st Avenue | 5 - 16 Minutes |
How to get to UBC Botanical Garden by Skytrain + Bus
From downtown Vancouver, take the Canada Line to Oakridge-41st Avenue Station. Catch the R4 41st Ave RapidBus and get off on W 16th Avenue at Wesbrook Mall. Transfer to the #68 UBC Exchange bus northbound on Westbrook Mall (by the round-about) and get off on Stadium Road at West Mall. The entrance to the UBC Botanical Garden a short walk west right across SW Marine Drive.
Alternatively, you can skip the #68 bus and walk west on W16th Avenue to the round-about at East Mall. Follow it north to Stadium Road and go west on Stadium. This is about a 16 minute versus a 5 minute walk, but saves you waiting for another bus so it may actually be quicker.
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Photo Gallery
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Forest and water feature at the UBC Botancal Garden cc licensed photo by Wendy Cutler -
Photo Credit: vcbf_cherry_scout - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: wlcutler - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: wlcutler - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: wlcutler - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: wlcutler - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: wlcutler - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: wlcutler - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: wlcutler - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: wlcutler - cc license via Flickr
