Parking and Admission
at Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum
Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Admission is free.
Metered parking is available for $2.20 per hour, with a $6 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 Campus Farm parking lot, as indicated by the car icon on the map below. The parking kiosks accept coins and credit cards only, no bills. Parking charges at Matthaei Botanical Gardens apply seven days a week, 8 am-8 pm. Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum members park for free.
Matthaei Botanical Gardens is located at 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48105.
Nichols Arboretum
Admission is free.
Parking near the Arb is available after 5 pm weekdays and Saturdays and Sundays in U-M lot M-28 on Washington Heights. Limited City of Ann Arbor metered street parking is available at Nichols Arboretum on Washington Heights and on Observatory Street. Street meter parking charges apply Mon-Sat 8 am-6 pm and are free on Sundays and holidays. For more information on parking on Central Campus and the hospital area visit the university’s parking site.
Nichols Arboretum is located at 1610 Washington Hts. Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
Parking FAQs
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 Botanical Gardens, $2.20 per hour, with a maximum $6 daily rate. The charge for parking near Nichols Arboretum will vary depending on whether you park in 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 $2.20 per hour fee. There is no free parking near the Arboretum, all visitors who drive to the Arb must pay for meters or parking structures.
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