Arboretum Overnights
Spend a night inside the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden at a time no other visitor can.
Family and Groups
Birthday parties, scouts, churches and family groups are welcome, with children ages 5–12, guardians required, and a minimum of 20 participants.
Every overnight includes a badge program, an OmniGlobe exploration, a flashlight night hike to spot nocturnal animals, and stargazing with Arboretum educators, with the choice of a full night in the climate-controlled Exploration Center or the same evening of activities without the sleepover.
| Overnight | Night Owls | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 6pm – 9am | 6pm – 10pm |
| Child | $55 | $35 |
| Adult | $55 | $35 |
| Parking | Included | Included |
| Evening Snack | Included | Included |
| Continental Breakfast | Included | — |
| Next-Day Garden Access | Included | — |
For questions or date availability, contact the Education team at education@dallasarboretum.org or 214.515.6540 from 9am–5pm M–F. Overnights available from March through June and September through December. A 4-week in advance pre-registration is required
Overnight Reservation Form
School Overnights
For grade levels, clubs and school groups. Minimum 40 participants, Friday or Saturday nights, 6pm–9am.
Extend the classroom into the evening with earth and life science classes, a trip through the solar system in the OmniGlobe Theater, a flashlight night hike and stargazing with Arboretum staff. Each group selects two classes from the full program list.
| School Rate | Title I Schools | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 6pm – 9am, Fri or Sat | 6pm – 9am, Fri or Sat |
| Per Student | $50 | $40 |
| Each Additional Adult | $50 | $40 |
| Light Snack | Included | Included |
| Continental Breakfast | Included | Included |
| Parking | Included | Included |
| Next-Day Garden Admission | Included | Included |
One chaperone is free for every 8 students. Additional adults are charged at the rate shown above.
If you have a group of 40 or more participants and would like to request a date, please fill out a request form or contact us at education@dallasarboretum.org
Overnights Frequently Asked Questions
Where do we check in for our Overnight program?
All Arboretum Overnight guests should arrive to Gate #3 (Children’s Garden private drive) by 6:00pm and park in the surface lot. Late arriving guests may not have access to parking on the premises. Arboretum staff will meet you at the ticket booth beginning at 5:45 and provide instructions for where to take your sleeping bags and other overnight materials. Please do not leave any items in your vehicle that you will need for the overnight as we will be locked inside the Children’s Adventure Garden at 6:15pm. Vehicles and participants arriving after this time may not be able to enter the garden and will forfeit their reservation.
Is there a fee for parking?
No, the parking fee is included with your reservation.
Is dinner provided?
No, dinner is not included with Overnights. Please eat before arriving or bring a sack dinner which you may eat in the Children’s Garden entry plaza. An evening snack and continental breakfast will be provided.
Where do we sleep?
Visitors will sleep inside the climated-controlled Exploration Center which is located inside the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden.
What should we bring?
Please bring the following:
- Sleeping bag and pillow
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Refillable water bottle for each participant
- Flashlight for each participant
- Completed Overnight Release for each participant
Optional:
- Sunscreen and/or bug spray applied prior to arrival
- Single size sleeping pad or cot. * We are unable to accommodate double, queen or king sizes.
Can we bring our own food and drinks?
Yes, you may bring your own food and nonalcoholic drinks. We reserve the right to search any coolers you bring into the gardens for overnight programs, and if you are found with alcohol, you may be asked to leave the program with your group, and you will not be issued a refund.
Is smoking allowed in the garden?
The Dallas Arboretum is a smoke free venue. This includes e-cigarettes.
Are we able to tour the main garden also?
The Overnight program will take place entirely in the Children’s Adventure Garden. However, when the program is complete at 9 am, you may continue your adventure in all areas of the gardens.
How do I cancel my reservation?
All schedule changes must be made no later than two weeks before your visit. If you need to reschedule your reservation, you must contact the Reservations Department (education@dallasarboretum.org) at least two weeks before your scheduled visit in order to apply the payment to a new visit date minus rescheduling fee of $10 per person. “No show” groups are ineligible for a refund.
What is your cancellation policy?
Overnight programs are held rain or shine—please bring a raincoat or umbrella just in case!
The Dallas Arboretum reserves the right to cancel any program: In the rare event that we need to cancel a program due to severe weather (such as lightning storms, icy conditions, or high winds), a power outage, or another safety concern, you will receive a full refund, and we will contact you directly.
We do require a minimum number of participants to run each program. If this minimum is not met at least two weeks before the scheduled date, we may need to cancel. In that case, a cancellation fee may apply to cover administrative and preparation costs.
If you have questions about group size or need to make changes to your registration, please contact us as early as possible—we’re happy to work with you when we can!