There is no admission charge to enter Matthaei Botanical Gardens or Nichols Arboretum. We do charge $2.00 per hour for parking at Matthaei, with a $5 daily maximum charge. Parking kiosks are located near the main and west entrances to the botanical gardens visitor center, as well as one near the shared use trail/campus farm parking lot. Kiosks accept coins and credit cards only, no bills.  The Matthaei Botanical Gardens lots are currently not included in the ePark system. Parking charges at Matthaei lots apply seven days a week, 8 am-8 pm. Limited City of Ann Arbor metered street parking is available at Nichols Arboretum on Washington Hts. and on Observatory St. Visitors may park in the University of Michigan blue lot M28 on Washington Hts. for free after 5 pm weekdays and on weekends. Visitors with University of Michigan blue passes may park at M28 & M95 on Washington Hts. or in M34 on Observatory. For more information on parking on central campus and the hospital area visit the university’s parking site.

For more information see the FAQs below.

Parking FAQs – Matthaei and Nichols

Q: Can I use my University of Michigan parking permit (blue, yellow, etc) at the botanical gardens or Arboretum? 
You cannot use  your U-M parking pass in any of the Matthaei parking lots. You may use your U-M parking passes in university parking lots near Nichols Arboretum.

Q: How much does parking cost at Matthaei and the Arboretum? 
At Matthaei Botanical Gardens you’ll pay the University’s standard rate, $2.00 per hour, with a maximum $5 daily rate. The charge for parking near Nichols Arboretum will vary depending on whether you park in the hospital parking structures or at street meters.

Q: Who needs to pay for parking? 
Members of Matthaei-Nichols park for free at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. All others pay the $2.00 per hour fee. There is no free parking near the Arboretum; all visitors who drive to the Arb must pay meters or a parking attendant at the hospital structures, or they already have a blue university parking pass.

Q: How do the kiosks at Matthaei work? 
Members enter their parking space and member number (located on the membership card) at a kiosk. The member ID validation is active for the selected parking spot for the time you select. To ensure that you are not rushed, please add more time than what you think you may need. For all others, the kiosks accept credit cards and coins, and change will be dispensed at the front desk.

Q: Can I use my membership ID number to validate parking at Nichols Arboretum or other University parking lots? 
Unfortunately, no. Your member ID number will only work at the parking kiosks at Matthaei Botanical Gardens.

Q: What if I’ve forgotten my membership card?
If you’ve misplaced your membership card, please phone 734-647-7600 or visit the Matthaei Botanical Gardens front desk to have your ID number looked up or to request replacement cards.

Q: What are the hours of enforcement? 
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

Q: Where are the kiosks located? 
There are three kiosks: one near the wayfinding sign at the front of the building, one is next to the sidewalk at the end of the west portico and one is located near the shared use trail/campus farm parking lot.

Q: How will the parking revenues be used? 
We are fortunate to be able to use the parking revenues to benefit Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum directly.