Mounts Botanical Garden Visitor Guide: Hours, Tickets, Parking

When guests want a quiet outdoor morning that isn't the beach, I send them to Mounts Botanical Garden. It's Palm Beach County's botanical garden, with about 25 tropical garden areas, shaded benches and enough variety that an hour or two never feels like a chore. Here's what I'd want a friend staying in West Palm Beach to know before going, with the details checked against the garden's own visitor pages in November 2026.

Where it is

Mounts is at 531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, a short drive west of downtown. It's easy to combine with a morning at the Norton Museum of Art or a weekend plan from our first-timers weekend guide. If you're visiting without a car, rideshare is the practical option; my guide to getting around without a car covers the rest of the city.

Parking is free in the main lot, with accessible spaces near the front.

Hours

Tuesday through Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Last entry: 3:00 p.m.
Monday: closed
Also closed on most Palm Beach County holidays (including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)

The Monday closure catches people, so don't plan a Monday garden day.

Tickets and free days

Tickets are sold online in advance or in person at the Welcome Center. As of November 2026:

Adults: $20
Seniors (65+), college students and military (with ID): $18
Ages 6 to 17: $13
Children under 6: free
Mounts members and American Horticultural Society reciprocal members (with card/ID): free

Tickets are nonrefundable, though the garden says it can move a ticket to another date if you ask before your original visit. Same-day re-entry is fine if you keep your receipt.

Two standing free options are worth knowing:

Palm Beach County Residents Day: free for county residents on the first Wednesday of every month, with proof of residency. Non-residents still pay regular admission that day. The next one on the calendar as of this writing is December 2, 2026.
Dogs' Day in the Garden: dogs are welcome on the second Sunday of each month (except during certain events and plant sales). The next one is November 8, 2026. Dogs need a non-retractable leash no longer than six feet. Service animals are welcome any open day.

Credit cards and mobile pay only — the Welcome Center, Gift Shop, Nursery and thrift shop do not take cash or checks.

What to expect

A typical walk is about half a mile and takes 1 to 1½ hours if you keep moving, or all morning if you sit with a book. Paths are mostly paved and stroller- and wheelchair-friendly. There is free public Wi-Fi, and air conditioning in the Welcome Center, Gift Shop and Exhibit Hall — most of the visit is outdoors, so dress for the weather.

You'll find koi, turtles, ducks, butterflies and plenty of birds. Fish food is $1 at the Welcome Center if you want to feed the fish and turtles. There is no café on site, so bring water, snacks or a picnic lunch; shaded picnic tables and benches are scattered through the gardens. Please don't pick flowers or fruit, take cuttings or carve trees.

The Gift Shop and Nursery are easy add-ons if you want a plant or a small botanical souvenir for the trip home.

A few host tips

Go on a weekday morning in winter for cooler air and quieter paths. South Florida's dry season is when the garden feels especially good; our best-time-to-visit guide explains the seasons.
Arrive before 3 p.m. Last entry is strict, and you want time to wander.
Bring a picnic. There is no food service, and a simple lunch under the trees is one of the nicest parts of the visit.
Traveling with a dog? Plan for Dogs' Day (second Sunday) rather than a regular open day. More pet-friendly ideas are in our pet-friendly West Palm Beach guide.
Local hosting visiting family? Use Residents Day on the first Wednesday if they (or you) can show Palm Beach County residency.
Pair it with culture. Mounts and the Norton make a strong half-day: garden first while it's cooler, museum after lunch.

Workshops, plant sales and special programs change through the year, so check the Mounts events calendar the week you visit rather than relying on a fixed list.

Hours, prices and free days can change, so give the Mounts ticket and hours page a quick look before you go. If you're staying with us at West Palm BnBs, we're happy to help you plan the morning.

Chris Linteris is a West Palm Beach host at West Palm BnBs.