Hayes Arboretum

Hayes Arboretum is a botanical garden spanning 466 acres with forests, meadows, wetlands, and streams where native plants grow throughout the grounds. The property includes fossil displays and is crossed by marked trails for exploration.

Stanley Wolcott Hayes founded this nature preserve in 1915 to protect local old-growth forests and began large-scale replanting efforts. These early conservation actions shaped the landscape that exists today.

The site contains two earthen mounds built by ancient Adena and Hopewell peoples, where archaeologists discovered stone tools and pottery fragments from centuries past.

The main entrance opens Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM, while the east entrance with hiking trails is open daily from sunrise to sunset. You can choose between different access points depending on when you visit and what you want to do.

The Nature Center occupies a restored 1833 dairy barn where visitors can watch live honey bees and observe birds through dedicated viewing windows. This converted farmstead building connects the grounds to their agricultural heritage.

Location: Indiana

Inception: June 1915

Website: http://hayesarboretum.org

GPS coordinates: 39.83710,-84.84380

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:22