At Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, we welcome all visitors, no matter what activity level they choose. Hikers can walk miles of waterfront and woodland trails or stroll garden paths. Others may have a harder time getting around. We try to make all visitor’s experiences as interesting, enjoyable, and comfortable as possible. The following are ways we help those who are either tired from a long walk or have disabilities that limit their mobility.

The Visitor Center and Central Gardens, where our most-formal gardens are located, are ADA compliant, and there are benches placed throughout the grounds for visitors who may need to take a break. You can view a map of our grounds for more detail. The terrain in the remainder of the campus varies. The paths range from compacted-gravel walkways to trails through wooded areas. How easy or difficult it is to traverse these areas will depend on your particular situation. There may be some areas that are inaccessible to you and your party due to the natural topography of our site. You can discuss the particulars with the Visitor Center staff.

Shuttle Service: From May 1 through Columbus Day, a shuttle runs continuously on a loop, stopping along the Birch Allée, in the parking area, and at entrances to the Shoreland Trail and Giles Rhododendron & Perennial Garden. The service is not intended as a tour, but rather as assistance for those who find walking long distances difficult. These shuttles cannot be reserved and are first-come, first-served.

This service is volunteer dependent, and while we have every intention of offering the shuttle every day, it cannot be guaranteed. The staff at the front desk in the Visitor Center will know the schedule on the day of your visit.

Accessible Cart Tours: Visitors who may not be able to walk the Gardens’ trails are invited to book a spot on our one-hour cart tour with a trained docent guide. Up to five riders can board our electric cart, and the tours run rain or shine, Monday through Wednesday.

The tour includes the Central Gardens, Vayo Meditation Garden, Fairy House Village, and Giles Rhododendron & Perennial Garden. Accessible Cart Tours run from May to mid-October, and reservations are required. On Wednesdays, the tours are offered free of charge at 9:30 a.m. On Mondays and Tuesdays, when tours begin at both 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., there is a fee of $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (65+) and visitors with disabilities, and $5 for children 5-17. Children under 5 ride free.