Plan a Visit
There is Plenty to Explore in Spring Hill Cemetery’s 192 acres:
Monuments to prominent figures in Charleston’s history
Birds and wildlife
Scenic viewpoints at Kinney Drive, Knapper Drive, and Singleton Circle (at the end of Haynes Drive)
Self-guided tours can be enjoyed by car or on foot along five miles of paved roads that wind through the park.
Two Tree Walks are available on Google Maps, with printed brochures available at information kiosks.
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The Old Circle Tree Walk
The Old Circle is part of the original twenty acres purchased in 1869 for $2,118 to establish the cemetery. It is the resting place of many of Charleston’s founding families, whose names also grace downtown streets.
(Pick up the Old Circle History Pamphlet to learn more.)
This walk features two West Virginia Champion Trees—a Post Oak and a Sawara Cypress—along with many other mature specimens. Recently planted trees include witch hazel, dogwoods, and viburnums.
Distance: 1 mile
Difficulty: Easy
Surface: Pavement
Grade: Mild slopes
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Butterfly Garden and Ridgeline Walk
The Butterfly Garden is planted with annuals and perennials and surrounded by meadow. Mature trees and newly planted shrubs serve as butterfly host plants along a short woodchip trail. Walk up and along the ridgeline to see the West Virginia Champion Fringe Tree and enjoy sweeping views of the Kanawha Valley.
Distance: Up to 1.3 miles
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Surface: Pavement, grass, woodchips
Grade: Mild slopes
The Mary Price Ratrie Arboretum contains more than 100 species of woody trees and shrubs, with many mature specimens spread throughout the grounds.
To fully experience the Arboretum, visitors are encouraged to use a mobile device with cellular access. Some trees feature signs with QR codes linking to additional information.
Explore with PlanIT Geo™
To get the most out of your Arboretum visit, use your device to access our tree inventory. The inventory was surveyed and is displayed by PlanIT Geo™, a geospatial technology firm specializing in urban forestry, planning, and natural resources.
To view the Arboretum’s tree inventory in a new window, click here.