Virginia State Arboretum
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Location
Boyce, Clarke County
Admission
Free; special events may charge
Public hours
Dawn to dusk, year-round
Setting
172-acre arboretum within a 712-acre research farm
The Virginia State Arboretum is the public garden at the heart of Blandy Experimental Farm, a University of Virginia research and education facility near Boyce. Its paths, gravel roads, gardens, and tree collections offer an easy-paced outdoor visit in the northern Shenandoah Valley. Admission is generally free, and the grounds are open from dawn to dusk year-round; check Blandy’s official visitor information before setting out, especially around special events.[1]
Come for a short garden stroll or take more time to explore the arboretum’s collections and native-plant habitats. Blandy is also an outdoor laboratory, so visitors are asked to stay on permitted paths and grassy areas, leave plants undisturbed, and keep dogs leashed. The grounds are at 400 Blandy Farm Lane in Boyce; maps are available at the information kiosk near the main parking area.[2][3]
Plan a trip to Virginia State Arboretum
Why visit the Virginia State Arboretum?
The appeal is the combination of a botanical collection and a working research landscape. The arboretum occupies the central 172 acres of Blandy’s 712-acre farm, giving visitors cultivated gardens and specimen plantings alongside meadows, woodland, and wetland habitats.[4]
It is a flexible stop: visitors can follow a self-guided route, linger in a garden, or simply walk the grounds. Blandy also runs scheduled programs and guided group tours, which require advance planning and may have separate fees or registration requirements. Check the official calendar for current offerings.
Start here
Begin at the main parking area and information kiosk, where visitors can pick up a map. From the kiosk, choose a garden stroll or a longer walk toward the Native Plant Trail and other parts of the grounds. The arboretum’s walking routes use trails, gravel roads, and mowed grassy areas; route conditions and distances vary, so consult the current map before choosing a walk.[5][6]
For a more structured visit, Blandy offers guided tours for groups of six or more. Reservations are required at least two weeks ahead, and the university requests a per-person donation; available tour subjects and seasons vary. Confirm details directly with Blandy before making plans.[7]
What to see and do
Explore the Native Plant Trail
Walk through woodland, meadow, and wetland habitats while observing native plants. Check the current map and seasonal conditions before choosing your route.
Visit the gardens
Explore planted garden spaces within the arboretum. Stay out of garden beds and leave flowers, plants, and labels in place.
Discover the tree collections
Take a self-guided walk among the arboretum’s woody plant collections. The grounds are a living collection as well as a research site.
Join a guided tour
Group tours cover topics such as Blandy’s history, gardens, native plants, and conifers. Advance reservations are required; confirm current availability and terms with the university.
Look for seasonal programs
Blandy hosts walks, workshops, and other public programs. Dates, registration, and any fees can change, so check the official program calendar.
History and significance
Blandy Experimental Farm began as a University of Virginia property after Graham Blandy bequeathed land from the historic Tuleyries estate to the university. The farm developed as a site for research and education; in 1986, the Virginia General Assembly designated it the State Arboretum of Virginia.[8]
The estate’s history also includes slavery. The Tuley family established the Tuleyries plantation in the early 1800s and enslaved Black people there. Blandy’s university history page describes surviving traces on the grounds, including an enslaved people’s cemetery and a building known as the Quarters, which was repurposed for university use. The university says research into the people enslaved at Tuleyries is ongoing.[9]
Planning a visit
- Address: 400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce, VA 22620. Follow the paved entrance road from Route 50 to the information kiosk and main parking area. Use designated parking only; additional visitor parking may be available in the marked field if the main area is full.[10]
- Hours and admission: The arboretum’s published visitor information lists public hours as dawn to dusk, 365 days a year, with free admission. Special events may have a charge. Verify current details before visiting.[11][12]
- What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes are useful for trails and gravel roads. Bring a map or pick one up at the kiosk.
- Pets and care for the grounds: Dogs are welcome on leash. Do not pick plants, enter garden beds, or bring outside plant material onto the grounds; follow posted guidance and take litter with you.[13]
- Groups and events: Large self-guided groups, school groups, and guided tours may need to contact Blandy or arrange ahead. Check the university’s current visitor and program information for requirements, availability, and fees.[14][15]
Nearby attractions
Clarke County, Virginia
Explore the county’s rural landscapes and small communities around Boyce.
Front Royal, Virginia
A nearby Shenandoah Valley town and gateway to outdoor recreation.
Winchester, Virginia
Visit a historic independent city north of the arboretum.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ Location & Hours, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ FAQs, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Guidelines and Policies, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ FAQs, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ FAQs, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Guidelines and Policies, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Guided tours, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Blandy History, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ History and Our Values, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Location & Hours, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Location & Hours, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Guidelines and Policies, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Guidelines and Policies, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Guidelines and Policies, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Guided tours, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.