Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College

There is not much to say… absolutely gorgeous. If you never been, you are missing out. Loved it, especially wooden trails. We went there on a glorious warm & sunny autumn day displaying all vivid colors.

Always a really uplifting experience to walk around this arboretum.
Awesomely, you can download tours from their podcasting link (
), which makes it really enriching.
The arboretum is all over campus, but my favorite part is Crum Woods, located at the back of campus, behind some dorms. I always approach it a certain way, and like to head through the outdoor ampitheater (where graduation is held) as the start of my trek, but the official Arboretum Office is located off Cedar Ln (which is off of College Ave). You can download a map of the woods trails online, and that also shows a portion of campus. If you find the ampitheater, keep going into the forest from there, and you’ll pick up the trails of Crum Woods.
Dogs are welcome on leash, and when picked up after.
The woods trails wind up and down hills, through different patches of vegetation (woods, field, etc.), and you’ll see the nearby Septa rail line (formerly the «R3») traversing the landscape. While the specimens on campus are beautifully groomed, much of the arboretum (though certainly well cared for and maintained), is not all manicured like Morris Arboretum, or Longwood, or Chanticleer. It is left more natural, which I find really pleasant, but for those affected, please note, this does make a good portion of the arboretum inaccessible for handicapped people. And, even for those who are able-​bodied, I do recommend sneakers, for sure, and some comfortable walking clothes. Your body will thank you, especially on a hot day.
I think a lot of people enjoy this place for different sentimental reasons. An ex-​boyfriend of mine would go there every Thanksgiving with his family to take a walk after the big meal. I have family who are «Swattie» alums, who seem to just see it as part of campus; a trip down memory lane. Some people like to exercise there, etc. It’s weird, the different people I have been there with, all have such different reasons to like the place.
My special tie to this arboretum is my grandfather. My grandfather was extremely into horticulture in his retirement, creating his own local orchard, to develop new holly hybrids, which he got to name and all (sorry I don’t know the correct horticultural terminology for producing a hybrid). He had a good relationship with local horticulturalists, and in the 70s the Scott people and he did some sample trading (as the family story goes, I believe my grandfather got a Magnolia cutting, and they got a Franklinium cutting), so there may be some of his trees in the arboretum today. So this place always reminds me of my grandfather, and the time I spent with him in his orchard. The Scott Arboretum is really special to me for this reason.

Beautiful! The entire campus is a garden. Beautiful picnic spot or place for a walk. The little kids loved the creek hike!

Hidden away on the gorgeous campus of Swarthmore College is this mecca for both novice and experienced gardeners. Even if you’re not a gardener it’s a beautiful place to just wander the 300 acres of trails and enjoy a beautiful day surrounded by nature. Did I mention it’s free! The mission of the Arboretum is to display plants suited for home gardens in this area. It’s open every day and once again it’s free.