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McCrory Gardens

TuliPalooza Update:

This spring, despite the dedicated efforts of our team, the tulip beds have not flourished as we’ve historically seen. In October, our staff carefully planted 15,000 new tulip bulbs with great anticipation—but nature had other plans.

An exceptionally dry fall and winter, combined with a lack of snowfall and minimal spring rainfall, created difficult conditions for the bulbs to establish. As a result, many of the newly planted tulips were unable to fully develop, using their stored energy simply to survive. This has led to shorter stems, fewer blooms, and an overall diminished display.

Due to these circumstances, we will not be declaring TuliPalooza this year (2025).

However, there is still much beauty to enjoy at McCrory Gardens! Our horticulture team has been hard at work growing over 40,000 annuals from seed in the greenhouse, and many established tulip varieties are currently in bloom. While this year’s tulip display is not typical, we warmly invite you to visit and take in the fresh spring air and the vibrant blooms that are showing their colors.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding. We look forward to a stronger, more colorful season ahead!

*To honor those who sponsored a tulip plot, your name plaque will be placed within a vibrant bed of annuals in the garden, where it will remain on display throughout the summer and into the fall.

Please keep an eye on your email for more information.

For any questions, please contact us at 605-688-6707 or McCrory Gardens.

Sponsoring a Plot
You can still sponsor a plot this spring by donating through the TuliPalooza link. Plaques will be displayed in annual beds all summer and into the fall. Thank you for your understanding and continued support!
Upcoming events at McCrory Gardens
2025 Graduation livestream at McCrory Gardens

Run out of ceremony tickets? No worries! McCrory Gardens is hosting a watch party for all º£½ÇÖ±²¥app graduation ceremonies — free event on May 10, 2025. Congrats, graduates!

º£½ÇÖ±²¥app Family and Friends Weekend

º£½ÇÖ±²¥app Students – Your family and friends get free admission all weekend!

Please bring your student ID with you to validate you are an º£½ÇÖ±²¥app student! May 4-11, 2025

Free outdoor children's concert sponsored by BankStar Financial! Thursday, May 29th 2025 at McCrory Gardens from 10 AM - 10:30 AM and 11 AM - 11:30 AM. Bring your own chair or blanket and enjoy the show!
Garden Discovery Festival at McCrory Gardens on May 18th, 2025 from 1 PM - 5PM. Plant sales, educational booths, hands-on experiences, garden tour and presentations.
Our Mission

Connecting people and plants through education, discovery, research and enjoyment of the natural and built landscape.

Admissions

Members

  • Free

General Public

  • Adults: $6 plus tax
  • Senior ages 65 and older: $4 plus tax
  • Youth ages 6-17: $4 plus tax
  • Children ages 5 and younger: Free
  • Military personnel: $4 plus tax with valid ID

º£½ÇÖ±²¥app Community

  • º£½ÇÖ±²¥app employees: Free with staff/faculty ID
  • º£½ÇÖ±²¥app students: Free with valid º£½ÇÖ±²¥app ID
Hours

Fall/Winter Hours (November-April)

  • Extended hours for McCrory Gardens' special events and holiday shopping.
  • Monday-Friday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m (Last admission 4:30 p.m.)

Summer Hours (May-October)

  • Sunday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m (Last admission: 5:30 p.m.)

Open Holiday Hours

  • Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day: 10 a.m.-6 p.m
  • Native American Day: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Accessible paths throughout the gardens for all to enjoy our natural and built landscape!

We are celebrating 60 years at McCrory Gardens this year!

In celebration of this monumental milestone, we are hosting an All-Crew Reunion on Aug. 1. If you or someone you know has worked at McCrory Gardens, please contact us at McCrory Gardens or call 605-688-6707 to RSVP!

Celebrating 60 Years at McCrory Gardens
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Support
Become a member. Help us grow!
Your contribution helps to maintain and enhance the gardens. Your membership will support the planting and care of the 41,000-plus flowers, trees and shrubs that are planted each year. It also will support the education of our students and the research and outreach programs of our staff.
A view into the Great Hall at McCrory Gardens
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Event Venue
Weddings, Meetings, Events

Whether it’s a business meeting, family celebration or wedding ceremony, your guests will love being surrounded by stunning flowers, vibrant autumn colors or serene snowscapes of South Dakota's premier wedding and event venue.

Check finding the perfect spot off your to-do list by checking out our space!

Craving Garden Tranquility?
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Open year-round
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41,000-plus flowers, trees and shrubs planted each year
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25 acres of formal garden displays
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Memberships
Reciprocal Admissions Program

We are a member of the American Horticulture Society Reciprocal Admissions Program!

Included with your membership to McCrory, you also get free or reduced admission at nearly 345 participating botanical gardens, arboreta and conservatories nationwide!

ArbNet Level 1 Badge

McCrory Gardens has been awarded a Level 1 accreditation by the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens. The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta at various levels of development, capacity and professionalism.

Newsletter

Keep up to date on all the news and events from McCrory Gardens!

McCrory Gardens Events
May
18
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., McCrory Gardens Education and Visitor Center
🌼🌳 Make plans to join us as we celebrate the 2025 Garden Discovery Festival at McCrory Gardens, with support from the Mary F. Buckmiller McCrory Gardens Endowment. Admission to the garden is FREE…
May
26
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., McCrory Gardens Education and Visitor Center
🌳🌞🌸 McCrory Gardens is open on Memorial Day! Come and stroll the Gardens! 🌳🌞🌸
May
29
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., McCrory Gardens Education and Visitor Center
Pre-register for this free, family-friendly, interactive musical concert for children in the Terrace Garden at the link provided.
Jun
19
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., McCrory Gardens Education and Visitor Center
Jul
24
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., McCrory Gardens Education and Visitor Center
º£½ÇÖ±²¥app Extension will host a series of horticulture workshops from January to October from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at McCrory Gardens (631 22nd Ave, Brookings, SD 57007). Master Gardeners, families, and the…
Contact Us
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McCrory Gardens
Physical Address
631 22nd Ave
Brookings, SD 57006
Mailing Address
Box 2140A
Brookings, SD 57006
* Summer Hours (May 1 - October 31) 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday-Saturday (Last admission at 5:30 p.m.)
* Winter Hours (November 1 - April 30) 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday (Last admission at 4:30 p.m.)
* Extended hours for special events and holiday shopping.
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