Group Tours

A favorite of all who love nature—flora and fauna, Fernwood Botanical Garden is situated on the St. Joseph River in Niles, Michigan, near Buchanan in picturesque Berrien County. Fernwood is only minutes from South Bend, Indiana, and Southwestern Michigan’s famous wine country and shore communities. Fernwood comprises 105 acres and protects at least 10 ecosystems and is a birder’s paradise. Visitors may enjoy natural areas with miles of walking and hiking trails, a reconstructed prairie, an arboretum, and cultivated public gardens that include an herb garden, Japanese garden, perennial border, rain garden, railway garden, nature adventure garden, hardy fern collection, and other special collections and gardens. An art gallery, nature center with bird viewing area, fern conservatory, library, café, and gift shop await visitors indoors.


Groups and Bus Tours

Fernwood welcomes visits from groups all year round 

Public Hours

Hours listed are Eastern time.

CAFÉ HOURS:

January & February:
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 12–3pm.

March–December:
11:00 am to 3:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday 
Noon to 3:00 pm Sunday
 

FERNWOOD IS CLOSED ON MONDAYS.

GROUP TOUR GUIDES AND CLASSROOM SPEAKERS

Guided Walking Tours            1-15 people approximately 1 hour      $25.00
Classroom Speaker                1-50 people approximately 1 hour      $25.00

A brief introduction “Welcome to Fernwood” is provided free of charge.

Guided tours require a minimum of two weeks’ notice.

When renting facilities, educational programming provided by Fernwood experts is offered at a discount over regular fees. A selection of gardening and nature lecture topics is available (topics vary seasonally; inquire about current possibilities). Higher fees may be assessed for some specially developed classes or workshops.

FOOD SERVICES:

Fernwood’s Café is a wonderful setting for delicious food provided by Executive Chef Tim Carrigan. The Café is not able to accommodate groups of 20 or more ordering from the menu, but will be happy to discuss sandwich buffet or boxed lunch options to accommodate any size group. Please ask for Chef Tim’s catering coordinator to discuss the menu options.

PICNIC:

All groups may bring their own picnic to enjoy on the grounds on any lawn area. Picnickers are welcome to use the benches and other available lawn furniture in the gardens. Indoor eating facility for large groups requires room rental fees and advanced reservation.

ADMISSION FEES:

With advance notice, groups of 20+ receive a 20% discount off regular admission fees. This fee must be paid in one lump sum.

                                                Regular            Discount

The bus driver and the tour guide are given free admission.

Trail maps are available.