Expand the walls of your classroom on a visit to Duke Gardens.
Thank you for your interest in coming to Duke gardens with your students.
Both guided and self-guided field trips to Duke Gardens require pre-registration.
Registration requests open September 8, 2026.
With our limited bus parking, bus parking spots is reserved for groups that have registered for their visit.
If you have questions, please contact us at 919-668-1707 for GardensEducation@duke.edu.
If you are looking for college/university programs, please visit our university programs page for more information.
For the 2026-2027 school year, field trips are available on Tuesdays- Fridays from October 1 to May 28. 2027. Field trips are available for up to 60 students per date. Field trips can begin as early as 9:00am and are either 90 minutes or 60 minutes depending on age/grade of participating students. Field trip costs are $5 per student for non-Durham Public School students, and $8 per student for homeschool students.
Registration is offered to Durham Public Schools and Title 1 schools in North Carolina from September 8-30, 2026, for any dates during the 2026-2027 school year. After October 1 field trip requests from all other schools will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Any groups that are larger than 60 students must submit more than one request form and come on multiple dates. Schools are asked to bring chaperones to join their students on field trips with a ratio of 1 chaperone for every 15 students, and no more than 1 chaperone per 5 students.
Field trips occur entirely outdoors for the duration of the field trip. We will communicate with schools if inclement weather is forecast for the date of your field trip and ask that schools and teachers make the best decision for their students’ comfort and learning given the forecast for their field trip date.
We work to create field trips that are inclusive and accessible to all students’ learning styles and abilities. Please let us know in your request if there are modifications we can make to support your students’ learning.
Requesting a field trip through our online form does not guarantee or confirm your field trip- Duke Gardens education team will send confirmation of your field trip within 1 week of receiving your request.
Expert tip:
While spring in Duke Gardens is beautiful, it is also our busiest visitation time. Schedule a field trip between November- February to experience a garden in a quieter season; parking is much easier and there is ample space to learn and explore on all our paths.
School Visit Opportunities
Self-Guided Groups: AVAILABLE
Advance registration is required so that we may coordinate your visit with other schedules. We will accommodate your visit on a first-come, first-served basis. Once we reach capacity, those groups without pre-registration may be asked to reschedule their visit.
Registered self-guided visits are free.
Self-guided groups may reserve a visit Monday-Friday either from 9 a.m. to noon or from 1 to 3 p.m. If you need more time for your visit, please let us know when you submit your request.
Use any of our self-guided visit resources during your visit.
Guided School Programs: AVAILABLE
Guided School Programs available beginning October 1, 2026
Our guided school programs are designed to support Common Core as well as the North Carolina Standard and Extended Course of Study. See a list of program topics here.
Guided school programs are available Tuesday through Friday at the following times, for groups of no more than 90 students. If you wish to bring more than 90 students, please contact us to see if we may be able to accommodate your group.
| PreK & K | First-Twelfth Grades | Self-guided |
| 10-11 a.m. | 9:30-11 a.m | 9-noon |
| 11-noon | 10-11:30 a.m. | 1-3 p.m. |
| 1-2 p.m. | 10:30-noon | |
| 1-2:30 p.m |
The “Garden Discovery” program is $3 per student with a $30 minimum. All other programs are $5 per student with a $50 minimum. Programs are free for Durham Public Schools.
Accessibility: Duke Gardens works to ensure all students are able to participate fully on all field trips. Please let us know if you have students coming on your field trip who could benefit from modifications or adaptations to the program instruction or navigation in the Gardens to meet their IEP or other needs (e.g. language barriers, instructor for behavioral or social needs, additional visuals, tactile tools, additional instructors, etc.).
Please do not disclose personal student information, but let us know if there are tips, tricks, tools or changes we should consider for our program to support learning for all your students.
Chaperones: Adult chaperones are required for all youth groups. We recommend a ratio of 1 chaperone per 15 students, but we cap the number of chaperones at a ratio of 1 chaperone for every 5 students. We cannot accommodate siblings that are not program participants.
Weather: We do take groups out in the rain unless there is threatening weather that includes lightning. In that case, we will reschedule.
Emergency Preparedness: Remember to bring any medications students might need for bee stings and bug bites, asthma attacks, etc.
Cancellation Policy: You may cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your fee up to a week before the date of your program. Any program canceled by Duke Gardens will result in a complete refund. To request a guided school program, please complete our online request form.
Guided Programs for Homeschool Groups: AVAILABLE
Guided Programs for Homeschool Groups available starting October 1, 2026.
Homeschool groups are welcome to choose from our list of guided school programs or request a topic of your choice. See list of program topics here.
Guided homeschool programs are available Tuesday through Friday at the following times:
| PreK & K | First-Twelfth Grades | Self-guided |
| 10-11 a.m. | 9:30-11 a.m | 9-noon |
| 11-noon | 10-11:30 a.m. | 1-3 p.m. |
| 1-2 p.m. | 10:30-noon | |
| 1-2:30 p.m |
Each program is 60-90 minutes, depending on the age and grade of participants. Fee of $8 per student per program, with an $80 minimum. Any remaining balance is due one week prior to the date of your program.
Important information for guided trips:
Accessibility: Duke Gardens works to ensure all students are able to participate fully on all field trips. Please let us know if you have students coming on your field trip who could benefit from modifications or adaptations to the program instruction or navigation in the Gardens to meet their IEP or other needs (e.g. language barriers, instructor for behavioral or social needs, additional visuals, tactile tools, additional instructors, etc.).
Please do not disclose personal student information, but let us know if there are tips, tricks, tools or changes we should consider for our program to support learning for all your students.
Chaperones: Adult chaperones are required for all youth groups. We recommend a ratio of 1 chaperone per 15 students, but we cap the number of chaperones at a ratio of 1 chaperone for every 5 students. We cannot accommodate siblings that are not program participants.
Weather: We do take groups out in the rain unless there is threatening weather that includes lightning. In that case, we will reschedule.
Emergency Preparedness: Remember to bring any medications students might need for bee stings and bug bites, asthma attacks, etc.
Cancellation Policy: You may cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your fee up to a week before the date of your program. Any program canceled by Duke Gardens will result in a complete refund. To request a guided school program, please complete our online request form.
Additional Resources
Self-Guided Resources for Schools
Chaperone Resources
Videos & Virtual Resources
We also offer programs for teachers. Email GardensEducation@duke.edu to learn more about teacher professional development opportunities.
Contact Us ›
Questions about school and group programs?
Please contact us at 919-668-1707 or GardensEducation@duke.edu.