Lyon Arboretum Association

We had a great and awesome experience today! Very easy hike to take kids on that don’t normally do hikes. Beautiful scenery and amazing plants, flowers and trees. The sound of nature up there is just incredible.
I’d say I enjoyed the hike up with my husband and son. We got to spend quality time and step out of the comfort zone of video games, t. v and social media.
I think that peaceful hike up is worth it. And you can be the judge of the waterfall :)

Great place to visit because you get to see many different plants, flowers, and a little waterfall at the end of the trail here.
When you check into the visitors office, you can borrow an umbrella, you will need this because it rains often here.
Parking lot is small here but at least it’s free.
Tip: bring mosquito repellent because you will get bit by a lot of mosquitoes.

all I can say is wow… get away from Waikiki and take a drive into paradise… so beautiful! Great hiking through lush vegetation and a small waterfall.

It is a nice place to visit. But nothing special. There are numerous trails to hike there so it would be fun. They are asking for donation and suggested to start at 5 bucks. If I have to do it again I would not go to this one. I highly recommended to go on the Manao trail which is next to it. The hike and the view is to die for.

Arboretum was very green. Lot of trees and flowers.
Walking areas were ok. No real signage to direct you. A bit to boring for me.
Entry is a $ 5 «donation». You feel obligated to pay it. Walking distance from the Manoa Falls hike.
Would not come back.

World Class Arboretum
The Lyon Arboretum is run by the University of Hawaii and is located in Manoa Valley, in back of UH. It covers almost 200 acres and is the only university botanical garden located in a tropical rainforest in the US and is the only easily accessible tropical rainforest on Oahu. Be sure to bring an umbrella and shoes that are good for walking on wet, slippery surfaces. About 2 blocks below the arboretum, it can be sunny and clear, but once that magical line is crossed, you’re in a rainforest, and it can be pouring rain. Be prepared.
The arboretum closes at 4PM during the week, 3PM on Saturdays, and is closed Sundays and holidays. Stop by the Visitor Center to make a suggested $ 5 donation and pick up a map and some insect repellent (definitely recommended). The map takes you through the arboretum, but it was a little hard to follow. Lots of trails loop into each other. Trails on the map weren’t apparent in the arboretum. We wandered around a bit, but eventually found trails that were on the map and we were able to walk through some of the various gardens.
There are over 5000 tropical plant species at the arboretum, including bromeliads, native Hawaiian species, heliconias, palms, an ethnobotanic garden, etc. We saw some of the most amazing, beautiful flowering plants I’ve ever seen. Some of them looked more like science fiction than reality.
If you like plants, being in a natural environment that is easily accessible from an urban area, walking in a rainforest, and exploring, then check out the Lyon Arboretum. They have an amazing collection of plants, and it really is worth a visit.

For all the years I’ve been in Hawaii-​nei, I’ve never taken the road left of Manoa falls park. I’ve been to the falls countless times, but I had never been to this garden of eden. There’s just something so magical about slipping away into the quietness of nature in the middle of the city.
I had the pleasure of going with my son’s school on a field trip and it was relaxing, informative, and breathtakingly beautiful. Our group’s guide was also really great with the kids and a great teacher. We started with stretching before the mini hike and then proceeded to the herb garden where we were allowed to smell and taste some of the plants. We then checked out the local plants and the guide «talked» with one of the birds. Like bird-​whisper style! Suh-​weeet!
We ended the mini hike with a color matching and tree sizing games which were perfect activities for elementary age kids. They had lunch in a covered area, planted sunflowers to take home, and got to feed their food scraps to the earthworm bins. Super gross, but interesting.
You can walk through huge majestic trees, frolic in pastures, ramble over the wishing bridge and visit the lily pond. Bring a good camera — some of the plants and views are incredible. If you have a school group, I strongly suggest having a guide.
Two thumbs waaay up for a great school field trip activity at a well run facility.

I love coming here to explore. It is very beautiful and much more fun if you have someone to explore with. The maps are quite confusing so if you have a specific destination in mind, dont hesitate to ask the person working in the visitor center as they are able to tell you exactly where to go. Make sure you sign in and give a donation if you feel inclined as those donations keep the place running and free.
If you have young kids, I wouldnt recommend hiking to far in because some areas are rocky and inclined. Make sure you bring water, sunscreen, and mosquito repellant, and a camera.
I typically spend anywhere from 2 – 4 hours exploring in here as some of the trails are kind of long, but its really cool to see all the native plants, search for the birds, look at the bugs, etc.

Bring mosquito repellant! And beware: the parking lot is really small.
This is a great spot to come exploring, hiking, and to see a lot of native hawaiian plants — some of which may be extinct someday. It’s a great option for a casual, leisurely afternoon. Some people brought lunch and picnicked on the grounds (such a great idea).

Absolutely gorgeous beautiful flowers in its most remarkable forms and shades of colour, despite of the rainy weather I still had lots of fun :)

Cool place with trails and native plants. It’s free (donations welcome) and a quick tour. I went today kind of by accident and enjoyed it.
FYI — They warn you not to park here if you are going on Manoa Falls.

Lyon’s Arboretum is a beautiful treasure near Manoa Falls. The hike is fairly easy and full of wonderful flowers and plants that are enough to capture your attention for at least a couple of hours. The scenic points are also breathtaking.
This really is a great place for all to visit — kids, families, couples… I can even imagine a class going on a field trip here. The educational perspective of Lyon’s Arboretum is another of its strong points.
I only have two small gripes:
1) The drive is a bit tight towards the end. The road narrows to only one way at the end before you reach the parking lot. Just hope you don’t catch someone on their way down as you head up!
2) Lots of bugs! Bring bug spray.
Overall, great easy hike that’ll capture your sights and senses.

This is a beautiful garden with free parking! The visitor center is helpful to get your bearings and an idea of where to go. I definitely recommend a visit to this garden and remember to bring some bug spray!

Lyon Arboretum has many attractions. It’s a beautiful site, with vistas and (if you are lucky) a waterfall at the top end of the valley. It has continuing education. (Call for class schedule, or check the website. I took a healthy cooking class that was cool.) It has volunteer opportunities. It’s more than just a hike.
One word of advice. If you do go hiking here, take bug spray!

We were suppose to hike Monoa Falls, but we happened to drive into Lyon Aboretum instead. The hike wasn’t too bad after getting lost a few times. We had a map, but the front desk didn’t tell us that the posts along the trail represented paths. There’s a few scenic areas as you head to the top of the trail. The trail can take approximately 45mins to an hour to hike depending on how fast you walk. There’s less people on this hike than the Monoa Falls and not too dangerous. There is a main path the majority of the way, just follow the posts. There is a waterfall at the end of the hike, but don’t be disappointed if it’s dry. –Unless it rains, you won’t see a waterfall.
Don’t forget if you’re going to hike this trail, wear appropriate shoes, it can get pretty muddy.