Are you planning a trip to Maui and working on Road to Hana stops? Keep scrolling to find out whether or not the Garden of Eden Arboretum in Maui is worth visiting.
This review of the Garden of Eden Arboretum in Maui was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
When you’re planning your Road to Hana adventure, you’ll see signs for the Garden of Eden Arboretum starting around mile marker 10. And honestly? This is one stop you don’t want to skip.
My family almost always stops here, especially when we stay in Ka’anapali. After about an hour and a half in the car, everyone’s ready to stretch their legs.
We usually pack snacks and enjoy them at the picnic tables while taking in those incredible rainforest views.
Should You Drive the Road to Hana or Take a Tour?
Here’s the thing about the Road to Hana: it’s beautiful but intense. Over 600 curves and 46 one-lane bridges can be stressful when you’re trying to navigate and watch for waterfalls.
If you’d rather sit back and let someone else handle the driving, I totally get it.
Book a small-group Road to Hana tour on Viator or check out Road to Hana tours on Get Your Guide to find one that fits your style. Most tours include stops at Garden of Eden, the black sand beach, and lunch.
Want to hear more about planning your Road to Hana trip? I cover everything in my podcast episode What You Need to Know About the Road to Hana on Maui.
Garden of Eden Arboretum Quick Facts
Where is it? 10600 Hana Highway (Highway 360) at mile marker 10.5
Hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (including holidays)
Admission:
- Adults (16 years and older): $20
- Kids (ages 5-16): $10
- Children under 5: FREE
They offer discounts for groups of 5+, military, students, AAA members, and Hawaii residents.
Drive time from Ka’anapali: About 90 minutes (without stops)
Looking for more kid-friendly stops? Check out my complete guide to the best Road to Hana stops.
What You’ll See at Garden of Eden
This 26-acre botanical garden has over 700 labeled plant species and about 2 miles of walking trails. But what makes it special are the ocean views, waterfall lookouts, and how well-maintained everything is.
Check-In and Parking
When you drive in, there’s a small building where someone will greet you, give you a map, and collect your admission. Right next to the entrance, you’ll spot a rainbow eucalyptus tree (you’ll see more throughout the garden).
There are actually three parking lots here. The staff will tell you to drive between them, but honestly? With kids, it’s easier to just park once and walk. Getting them in and out of car seats multiple times is a pain.
Feeding the Ducks
In the first parking lot, you’ll find a bunch of ducks hanging out. They’re completely used to cars and people.
There’s a little teal box where you can buy duck food for 25 cents. It’s such a simple thing, but kids love it. The ducks really are immune to honking and all the activity.
Peacocks Roaming Free
Keep your eyes open for peacocks! We usually spot at least one strutting around the property.
They’re beautiful but give them plenty of space. Don’t try to touch or chase them.
Puohokamoa Falls
This is actually a secret waterfall now. Years ago, people could access Puohokamoa Falls from the road, but it’s on private property. The only way to see it these days is from the lookout inside Garden of Eden.
The falls are about 30 feet high. According to the signs, this spot was sacred to early Hawaiians. It’s a pretty special view.
Keopuka Rock (The Jurassic Park Connection)
Okay, if you’re a Jurassic Park fan, this is your moment.
While most of Jurassic Park was filmed on Kauai, they did shoot some scenes on Maui. Keopuka Rock is the island you see in the opening sequence of the movie.
You can only see it from this lookout inside the garden, and it’s one of the most photographed spots here. Bring your camera.
100-Year-Old Mango Tree, Banana Patch, and Rain Shelters
The garden has adorable covered shelters throughout where you can escape the rain or take a break from the sun.
The signs make it really easy to find cool spots like the 100-year-old mango tree. The banana patch was pretty sparse when we visited, but it’s still neat to see.
Valley Overlook and Ocean Views
There are so many gorgeous lookouts here. The Valley Overlook is one of my favorites with those lush green mountains stretching out in front of you.
The ocean views throughout the garden are stunning. This is why I always tell people not to skip this stop.
Garden of Eden vs. Keanae Arboretum
Some blogs will tell you to skip Garden of Eden and just go to Keanae Arboretum because it’s free. But they’re completely different experiences.
Keanae Arboretum is nice, but it’s smaller and doesn’t have the ocean views or waterfall lookouts. Think of Keanae as the free sample and Garden of Eden as the full experience.
If you have time, do both. They’re different enough that it’s worth it. But if you only have time for one? Garden of Eden wins.
Tips for Visiting with Kids
What to Wear
This is one of the easier Road to Hana stops when it comes to footwear. Sandals or flip flops are totally fine. You won’t need hiking shoes.
Do wear sunscreen and bring a hat. If it’s been raining, bug spray is a good idea too.
Pack Snacks or a Picnic
There are picnic tables everywhere throughout the garden. We always bring snacks with us and this is one of our favorite spots to stop and eat.
The best picnic spot is up at the large shelter. It’s got several tables and is covered in case it rains. It’s great if you’re traveling with another family and want to meet up along the Road to Hana.
Visiting with Babies and Toddlers
This is hands-down one of my favorite toddler-friendly Road to Hana stops. The trails are easy to walk and there are wide-open grassy areas where kids can run around.
It’s NOT stroller-friendly though. Some paths have stairs or are just dirt trails. Bring a baby carrier or be prepared to carry your little one.
Restrooms
There are several clean restrooms across from the second parking lot. They’re well-maintained with multiple stalls.
There’s also a small visitor center there with some displays about Hawaiian history, but it’s pretty minimal.
Capturing Your Maui Memories
The Garden of Eden is seriously one of the most photogenic spots on the Road to Hana. Those ocean views, the lush greenery, all the different lookouts… it’s gorgeous.
If you want professional photos from your Maui trip, book a Flytographer session and save $20 with my link.
They can meet you at Garden of Eden or any other spot on Maui for a fun photo shoot. You’ll have amazing vacation photos without the stress of trying to get that perfect family selfie.
Getting Around Maui: Car Rentals
You’ll need a rental car to drive the Road to Hana (unless you’re taking a tour). I always recommend Discount Hawaii Car Rental to find the best rates. Use my referral code to compare prices from all the major companies.
Your car doesn’t need to be anything fancy for the Road to Hana. A regular sedan works just fine. You don’t need a Jeep or 4WD.
Where to Stay on Maui
If you’re planning to do the Road to Hana from the west side of Maui (like we usually do), Ka’anapali has some great hotel options on Expedia. That’s where we typically stay when we’re doing this drive.
The drive from Ka’anapali to the start of the Road to Hana is about 45 minutes, so factor that into your planning. We usually leave our hotel around 7:00 AM to get an early start.
Is Garden of Eden Arboretum Worth It?
100% yes. This is one of my favorite kid-friendly Road to Hana stops. The $20 admission (or $10 for older kids) is completely worth it.
We can easily spend an hour here just walking the trails and enjoying the views. Sometimes we only do half the Road to Hana (turning around at the Halfway to Hana fruit stand), and this stop always makes our list.
The garden is gorgeous, well-maintained, and has parking that’s safe and secure (unlike some random pulloffs along the highway). You won’t regret stopping here.
Planning Your Maui Vacation
If you’re working on your Maui itinerary and feeling overwhelmed, I’ve got you covered. As a professional tourist who’s been to Hawaii over 40 times, I’ve learned a few things about planning the perfect trip.
Grab my Maui travel guide for families for detailed daily itineraries, all my favorite kid-friendly spots, and insider tips you won’t find anywhere else.
Want help planning your specific trip? Book a Hawaii travel consultation with me and I’ll create a custom itinerary based on your family’s interests, budget, and travel style.
If you’re just getting started with planning, sign up for my free email course: How to Plan a Trip to Maui. It walks you through everything you need to know, step by step.
More Maui Resources
Looking for more Maui inspiration? Check out:
- Best Waterfalls in Maui
- Kahanu Garden Review (another botanical garden in Hana)
- Maui Island Hopping Guide
And don’t forget to listen to my podcast, Hawaii Travel Made Easy, for more tips on making your Hawaii vacation stress-free and amazing.
The Garden of Eden Arboretum is waiting for you. Trust me, those views and that lush tropical beauty will be one of the highlights of your Road to Hana adventure.
Want more Hawaii botanical garden content? Find out the best botanical gardens in Hawaii, our Limahuli Garden on Kauai review, and tips for the Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden.
