George Washington Carver National Monument

A Contemplative Experience

Take in George Washington Carver’s words of wisdom while stopping to read the quote stones along the short, quarter mile Contemplative Loop Trail. Discover a sense of peace as GW Carver guides you through the woods.  

Capture a Moment

Bring your camera or cell phone into the woods, along the streams, or through the prairie to photograph a moment in nature. Pause and observe while you enjoy beautiful feelings of solitude while connecting to the environment around you. Visit the Nature Page at George Washington Carver National Monument

Embrace your creativity at the Park

Find a special place in nature and pull out your pen and pencil. Connect with George Washington Carver in a new way through nature journaling, sketching or poetry writing. Use your senses to inspire your creativity If you are looking for more inspiration, visit the museum to view Carver’s poetry and art.

Explore the Park Museum and Discovery Area

Located in the visitor center, the museum and discovery area offer visitors three floors of exhibits on George Washington Carver's life and times at a self-guided pace.

Explore with Young Carver

Take a self-guided tour and search for wildlife in the woodlands that inspired by the adventurous young Carver. Maybe you will catch sight of a blue heron in the pond, hear songbirds in the prairies or witness deer visiting the monument grounds in the morning. No day is the same and it brings plentiful opportunities for discovery to all.

From Woodlands to Prairies

Take your furry friend for a walk along the one-mile picturesque Carver Trail through woodlands, across streams, and along tallgrass prairie. Stroll along the boardwalk past the bronze on young George Washington Carver holding a plant, Moses Carver house and pause at Moses Carver Family Cemetery.

Pack a Picnic

All picnic tables are accessible and located along concrete routes. Some of these picnic tables are shaded. There are accessible parking spots near the picnic area.

Report for Duty at the Park

Become a Junior Ranger by completing activities about George Washington Carver’s life and impact on our nation with the “The Plant Doctor” or “The Scientist” or “Carver Scholar” booklet. To begin your learning journey, pick up a Junior Ranger booklet at the visitor center.

Start at the Visitor Center

Many visitors like to start their park experience at the visitor center. Orientation services and basic visitor information are available at the information desk. This is the location of the passport cancellation stamp. Stop by the park store and browse the products. The visitor center is open daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Take a Guided Tour on the Carver Trail

Guided tours of the Carver Trail are offered daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. throughout the year. The ranger-led guided tour of the Carver Trail interprets the childhood and life of George Washington Carver.

The Legacy of George Washington Carver

Explore the impactful life of Carver at the museum and discovery area. Tour exhibits of his art, examine artifacts from his scientific work, and watch the park film, “Struggle and Triumph: The Legacy of George Washington Carver”. Learn about Carver’s contribution to science, education, agriculture, and more!

Tour the Carver Trail

Join a Park Ranger on a guided tour along the Carver Trail. As you walk in the steps of young Carver, you will leave with a greater understanding of his history, the place he grew up, and the legacy he left behind. Tours are offered twice a day on the Carver Trail.

Watch the Park Film about George Washington Carver

"Struggle and Triumph: The Legacy of George Washington Carver" was produced in 2014. This inspiration 28- minutes film details some of the struggles and triumphs of George Washington Carver's life journey, showing how he became a role model for perseverance and achievement. The film is shown every 45 minutes starting at 9:15 a.m. and last showing is 4:00 p.m.