Field Trips

Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum offers hands-on, sensory-rich field trip experiences that invite students to connect with the natural world through observation, exploration, and immersion. Our two-hour guided programs include rotational activities centered on literacy, science, and the arts. Each visit includes rotating activities through iconic garden spaces like the Secret Garden, Bamboo Forest, Dogwood Trail, and LeConte Meadow. Students may explore plant parts through scavenger hunts, observe the landscape with all five senses, draw imaginative plant adaptations, and create collaborative poems.

KBGA Field Trip Aims

Inspire curiosity and a sense of agency in the outdoors

Demonstrate our interconnectedness with all living things

Expand the vocabulary of the living landscape

Model sensory learning

Hone focused attention skills

Practice storytelling

Spark a desire to return to the Garden

  • Length: 2 hours of guided activities plus additional time to enjoy lunch and explore other parts of the grounds

  • Cost: $8 per student and free for teachers and chaperones

  • In addition to teachers, please invite no more than 3 chaperones per 20 students

  • We can accommodate up to 75 students per day

  • In case of severe weather we will plan a rain date for your field trip

Planning your visit

Availability

We are available to offer field trips:

  • Tuesday through Friday

  • March through June AND September through December

Please fill out our Field Trip Request Form at least one month prior to your earliest desired date.

Accessibility

  • Most paths are gravel, grass, or mulched trails, with occasional tree roots or uneven spots

  • Step stools are available in restrooms

  • Routes can be adjusted for individuals with mobility needs. Please email education@knoxgarden.org to make a plan.

What to bring

To make the most of your visit, we recommend:

  • Closed-toed shoes and socks

  • Layered clothing, including jackets and hats, to accommodate changing temperatures

  • Sunscreen and insect repellent

  • Refillable water bottle

  • A dry snack for each student to enjoy upon arrival

  • Lunches in a box/bin/cooler, to leave on the bus or in the Visitors Center

Sample Schedule

9AM Arrival, Snack and Welcome

9:15AM Activity 1 - Going Slow with the Senses

9:45 Activity 2 - Picture A Plant

10:15 Activity 3 - Garden Exploration and Plant Parts

10:45 Group Poem Creation & Wrap Up

Ready to Schedule?

Please complete our Field Trip Request Form and we will connect with you to schedule your visit. We look forward to having you!

If you have additional questions or need assistance, please email education@knoxgarden.org or contact the Education and Engagement Staff at the Visitors Center, (865) 862-8717.