Visit Us
at Compton Gardens & Arboretum
Find Us
312 N Main St, Bentonville, AR 72712
Free Admission
Our Hours
The Gardens: Sunrise to Sunset
The House: Private Rental Space
The Exhibit Room: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday Closed
Call Us
Compton Gardens & Arboretum is a 7-acre oasis of native gardens and woodlands nestled in the heart of downtown Bentonville, Arkansas. This stunningly peaceful sanctuary celebrates the rich biodiversity of the Ozarks while honoring the legacy of Dr. Neil E. Compton, a local physician, photographer, conservationist, and founder of the Ozark Society who led the fight to protect the Buffalo River.
Discover why Compton Gardens is one of the top free things to do in Bentonville, AR! Visitors can explore vibrant native plantings, tranquil trails, Champion Trees, and public art installations. Whether you’re walking, biking, or attending a community event, Compton Gardens & Arboretum is a living, growing tribute to nature, conservation, and community connection.
Compton Gardens & Arboretum inspires the community to preserve the Ozark landscape through interpretation of native gardens and the legacy of Dr. Neil E. Compton and his family. This space is provided by the Peel Compton Foundation, whose mission is to cultivate experiences that connect the community through nature, education, recreation, and preservation.
The Gardens & Arboretum
Surrounding the historic Compton family home, the gardens at Compton Gardens & Arboretum are a living tribute to Arkansas’s natural beauty. Originally cultivated by Dr. Neil Compton himself, these outdoor spaces have been thoughtfully preserved and expanded by our team, showcasing a wide variety of native trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowering plants.
The Exhibit Room & House
Built in 1952 by Edna Swift Putman, a local entrepreneur and owner of Putman’s Ready-To-Wear Shops in Bentonville, the home was designed as a modern residence for her daughter, Laurene, and son-in-law, Dr. Neil Compton.
Located inside The House at Compton Gardens & Arboretum, the Dr. Neil Compton Exhibit Room offers a meaningful glimpse into the life and legacy of one of Arkansas’s most influential conservationists.
Champion Trees
Compton Gardens is home to three trees recognized by the Arkansas Champion Tree Program for their exceptional size and species representation:
- American Chinese Chestnut Hybrid (Castanea dentata × mollissima)
- Black Willow (Salix nigra)
- Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)
Trails
Razorback Greenway: This popular trail winds directly through the gardens, connecting visitors to broader regional trail networks.
All-American Trail: A favorite among mountain bikers, this trail cuts through the garden and offers a glimpse of native plantings characteristic of the Ozark Mountains.
Art
Heartland by Daniel Popper
Compton Gardens Canoe Neon Sign by Todd Sanders
Red Clay by Ed Pennebaker
Group of Bears by Paul Manship
