The National Arboretum is implementing a temporary traffic plan beginning today, March 26th through mid-May. This plan impacts traffic flow and parking throughout the grounds. It creates one-way traffic flow on select roads, establishes a pedestrian walkway between the New York Avenue and R Street entrances, and allows on-street parking in designated areas.

This temporary traffic plan helps make the Arboretum more safe and enjoyable for all visitors during the busy spring season. To avoid crowds, we urge visitors to plan their weekend visit as early in the day as possible or to visit on a weekday.

Please respect all posted signage and staff instructions. Please also drive carefully through the R Street neighborhood and be respectful of our neighbors when accessing the R Street entrance.

Full Traffic Plan Details >

FONA hosts two unique plant sales each spring. With the first one coming up this weekend, here's a rundown of what to expect at each plant sale and how they differ from each other.

Our Native Plant Sale on Saturday, March 29th is one of the earliest plant sales in the area. It features 6 local vendors that only sell native plants. The event will run from 8 AM to 1 PM along the road next to the Visitor Center. Make sure to come early to this sale — sometimes vendors sell out by lunchtime. We recommend bringing your own boxes, wheeled cart, or wagon to transport plants back to your car.

See Which Vendors Will Attend the Native Plant Sale >

Our Garden Fair & Plant Sale on Saturday, April 26th is FONA's largest event of the year. It runs from 9 AM to 4 PM in the New York Avenue parking lot, and is so large that visitors need to park in other lots around the Arboretum and take a shuttle to the event.

This year's event will feature about 25 vendors selling plants, gardening supplies, home goods, food, and beverages. DC Child Care Connections will offer free family-friendly activities during part of the day.

FONA will also sell thousands of plants in our Plant Sale tent, which is run by FONA and a group of dedicated volunteers. 100% of the proceeds from these particular plants support FONA's work at the Arboretum. FONA members get early access to the Plant Sale tent from 9 AM to 11 AM, before this tent opens to the public.

Learn More About the Garden Fair & Plant Sale >

Cherry blossoms are blooming throughout the National Arboretum! Follow the Arboretum's self-guided tour during your visit to discover more about the Arboretum's cherry trees. The Beyond the Tidal Basin tour visits 40 trees over about three miles. Stops are marked with pink signs.

Download a digital version of the brochure to help guide your tour. Please note that many people visit the Arboretum on the weekends during the spring.

Download Beyond the Tidal Basin >

Soak up spring during our first forest bathing walk of the year this Saturday, March 29th. Join us from 9 AM to 11 AM and bathe in the sights and sounds of the Holly and Magnolia Collection in full bloom. The suggested ticket price is $35 (or $28 for FONA members), but please pay what you can to attend this event starting at $15.

Register for Saturday's Forest Bathing Walk >

FONA is hiring an Events Coordinator to implement our venue rental program and support a variety of community events. This part-time seasonal position requires mostly weekend work with the occasional weekday shift. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and the position is expected to start in May 2025.

Apply for the Events Coordinator Position >

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the National Arboretum this past weekend and helped us kick off our spring events!

Our Spring into School Gardening event in the Washington Youth Garden was a big success! Teachers came from across the District to pick up free garden supplies, learn how to plant strawberries and prepare garden beds, and connect with one another.

Also, the Flowering 5K was completely sold out! Hundreds of runners and walkers enjoyed flowering magnolias and cherry blossoms while racing around the Arboretum. We are grateful to Abbott Klar Real Estate Group and Guidehouse for sponsoring this race.

Join Small Planes Coffee for In Bloom, an artisan pop-up market on Saturday, April 5th from 12 PM to 5 PM. Small Planes is located right around the corner from the National Arboretum in the R Street neighborhood. It is about a 10 minute walk from the Visitor Center. In Bloom will feature artisan and food vendors, a pop-up cafe, and live music.

Learn More About the Event >

Native Plant Sale

Saturday, March 29, 8 AM - 1 PM

Local native plant vendors, hosted by FONA

Learn More >

38th Annual Lahr Native Plant Symposium

Saturday, March 29, 9 AM - 4 PM

Learn from experts about native plants, pollinators, and ecosystems, hosted by USNA.

The waiting list for this event is closed.

Forest Bathing

Saturday, March 29, 9 AM - 11 AM

Meditation and mindfulness

Learn More & Register >

Volunteer Open House

Saturday, April 5, 10 AM - 12 PM

Learn about FONA's volunteer opportunities

Learn More & Register >

Forest Bathing

Saturday, April 12, 9 AM - 11 AM

Meditation and mindfulness

Learn More & Register >

Garden Fair & Plant Sale

Saturday, April 26, 9 AM - 4 PM

Shop thousands of plants and local vendors

Learn More & Register >

Community Fishing

May 9, 5 PM - 8 PM

Free fishing along the Anacostia

Save the date — more info coming soon

Extended Evening Hours

May 9, May 30, June 20, 5 PM - 8 PM

Arboretum grounds day open to the public

Mother's Day Forest Bathing

Sunday, May 11, 9 AM - 11 AM

Meditation and mindfulness

Learn More & Register >