Connecticut College Arboretum
Park Botanical arboretum with curated plant collections and trails
On the Connecticut College campus, the arboretum combines curated plant collections, trial gardens and walking trails; visitors stroll for seasonal blooms, birdwatching and quiet study of regional and exotic species.
The Connecticut College Arboretum is the living-plant collection and managed landscape on the Connecticut College campus in New London, Connecticut. It functions as an outdoor classroom and research resource for the college and a public green space.
The arboretum was developed by the college to support botanical teaching, horticulture and landscape stewardship and has grown incrementally through campus planning and planting projects. Collections and trails have been added over decades to serve education and community use.
Located on the Connecticut College campus in New London, the arboretum is immediately accessible from campus roads and parking and sits within the coastal Connecticut landscape near the Thames River.
- Public access: Open to the public year-round for walking, study and passive recreation with no general admission fee.
- Education and research: Managed as a living collection supporting college teaching, research and conservation of regional and exotic plants.
What to See #
- Arboretum grounds: Contains a mix of formal collections, experimental plantings and naturalistic areas across the Connecticut College campus, with marked paths and trails used for teaching and public recreation.
How to Get to Connecticut College Arboretum #
The Arboretum lies on the Connecticut College campus in New London. It is reachable by car and municipal transit; parking and foot access are available from Mohegan Avenue and campus entrances.
Tips for Visiting Connecticut College Arboretum #
- Start at the arboretum's visitor map or information kiosk to pick trails by theme-ornamental collections, native plantings or experimental beds.
- Visit in late spring for peak flowering of many specimen trees planted across the campus.
- The arboretum's paths can be muddy after rain-wear footwear suited to informal trails.
Best Time to Visit Connecticut College Arboretum #
Spring and autumn highlight seasonal displays; summer is good for programs and full foliage.
Weather & Climate near Connecticut College Arboretum #
Connecticut College Arboretum's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -7°C to 27°C. Abundant rainfall (1245 mm/year), wettest in November, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 3°C and lows of -7°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm).
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February
February is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -6°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (119 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm).
