Olbrich Park Botanical Gardens
Rate this placeNearby: Olbrich Park O B Sherry Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Olbrich Park Botanical Gardens is a popular botanical garden located in the city of Madison, Wisconsin.
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Summary
The garden covers over 16 acres and is home to a diverse range of plant species from around the world. The garden is open to the public year-round and is a great place to visit for nature lovers and those interested in horticulture.
There are several reasons to visit Olbrich Park Botanical Gardens. Firstly, the garden offers visitors a chance to see a wide variety of plant species in their natural habitat. Secondly, the garden is an excellent place for relaxation and enjoying the beauty of nature. Lastly, the garden hosts many events throughout the year, including concerts, art exhibits, and workshops.
Some of the specific points of interest to see at the garden include the Thai Pavilion and Garden, which was a gift from the Thai government to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The pavilion is an excellent example of traditional Thai architecture and is surrounded by a beautiful garden. Another point of interest is the Rose Garden, which features over 1,200 roses of different species and colors.
Interesting facts about the area include that the Olbrich Park Botanical Gardens was founded in 1952 and is named after its founder, Michael Olbrich. The garden is also home to several rare and unusual plants, including the Wollemi Pine, which was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in Australia in 1994.
The best time of year to visit Olbrich Park Botanical Gardens is during the spring and summer months when the garden is in full bloom. Visitors can see the vibrant colors of the flowers and plants and enjoy the warm weather. However, the garden is open year-round, and each season offers its unique beauty and charm.
Overall, Olbrich Park Botanical Gardens is a beautiful and tranquil place to visit and is a must-see for anyone visiting Madison, Wisconsin.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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