The arboretum functions as a vital gene bank for the Forest Research Institute of Hungary.
The collection includes over 300 different types of rhododendrons that bloom in late spring.
The site utilizes the natural floodplain of the Gyöngyös stream to maintain its diverse plant communities.
It houses one of the most significant and diverse conifer collections in Central Europe.
The grounds incorporate the original park layout designed by the Saághy family in the 1860s.
The arboretum serves as an active research facility for forest genetics and breeding.
Kámoni arborétum is Hungary's richest botanical collection, situated on a 27-hectare site in the Gyöngyös stream valley in Szombathely. The arboretum features a specialized collection of conifers, rhododendrons, and magnolias, totaling over 3,000 woody plant species and varieties. It was established in the mid-19th century by the Saághy family and transitioned into a research-focused facility under the University of Sopron. The landscape is structured around a series of lakes fed by the Gyöngyös stream, which provide a microclimate for moisture-loving flora. Visitors follow a network of gravel paths that weave through historical groves and newly developed experimental sections. The garden serves both as a public recreational space and a gene bank for forest trees. It contains rare specimens such as the dawn redwood and diverse cultivars of Japanese maples.
The wooden bridge overlooking the central lake area during the spring bloom.
Wear insect repellent during summer months as the lake areas attract mosquitoes.
Bring comfortable walking shoes to traverse the extensive network of gravel paths.
Check the official website for blooming calendars if you want to see specific floral peak periods.
Avoid visiting during heavy rainfall as the paths in lower-lying riparian areas can become muddy.
Open daily throughout the year, but paths may be restricted during severe weather conditions.
Stay on marked paths to protect sensitive root systems and scientific research plots; pets must be on a leash.
