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: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Address: 6804 SW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 2J9, 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 - a month 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 - 3 months ago
What a wonderful place for a walk with a friend! The entry cost is very reasonable and goes to support a great place. All of the workers were very kind and were happy to answer any questions we had. The canopy tour and treewalk were both a blast, and the moon gate is a very fun place to yodel! I'd say that overall, this garden is well worth a visit.
Jay Kruszewski - a month ago
★★★★★
Beautiful and peaceful garden with amazing plants and forest trails. The TreeWalk was a great experience. Perfect place to relax and enjoy nature!
Ekantha Ekanayake - a month ago
We have been going to this garden for decades. The gift shop always had new, unique quality items and the staff are so helpful and friendly. It is also a great place for a group outing.
Steve Binassi - 3 weeks 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.
Map & Instant Route Finder
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Accommodations near UBC Botanical Garden:
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
