Columbus, Ga. - Callaway Gardens in nearby Harris County covers 2,500 acres, houses about 1,000 butterflies and offers a 10-mile bike trail through wooded gardens. The Pine Mountain destination also has two golf courses, a memorial chapel with a 1,229-pipe organ and a history that dates to 1952.

A short drive north of Columbus, Callaway Gardens has grown from its original garden into a major Georgia attraction. It welcomes more than 750,000 visitors a year and reached 1 million admissions in 2006.

For Columbus-area residents looking for a day trip, the numbers tell the story of a place that combines gardens, outdoor recreation and history in one stop.

Callaway Gardens by the numbers

1. A 2,500-acre destination in Harris County

Callaway Gardens is in Pine Mountain, in Harris County, about 18 miles from LaGrange.

Harris County borders Columbus and Muscogee County to the north, which makes the gardens an easy option for residents who want to get outside the city.

The resort covers 2,500 acres. Separately, the Cason J. Callaway Memorial Forest covers 3,000 acres and is a National Natural Landmark. The smaller number describes the resort; the larger one describes the memorial forest.

The property's size is one reason visitors can choose among several activities instead of a single attraction.

2. About 1,000 butterflies from more than 50 species

One of Callaway Gardens' signature attractions is the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center.

The center opened Sept. 25, 1988. It is kept at about 80 degrees and 74% relative humidity, a warm, controlled environment rather than an outdoor garden.

Inside are about 1,000 butterflies representing more than 50 species.

For families, the butterfly center offers a very different experience from the property's wooded trails and golf courses.

3. A 10-mile trail for biking

The Discovery Bike Trail stretches 10 miles through wooded gardens. Callaway Gardens also has several other walking and biking trails, so visitors have options beyond the main bike route.

For Columbus-area residents planning an active outing, the trail is one of the property's best-known recreation features. Visitors can pair a ride with a stop at the butterfly center.

Confirm current trail access with Callaway Gardens before you go.

4. Two golf courses with decades of history

Golf has been part of Callaway Gardens since opening day.

The Lake View Course opened May 21, 1952, the same day the gardens opened.

The Mountain View Course was designed in 1965 and later hosted the Buick Challenge, a PGA Tour event.

Lake View is tied directly to the gardens' founding, while Mountain View is linked to a former professional tournament.

5. A chapel with 1,229 organ pipes

The Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel was dedicated April 12, 1962. It houses a Moller pipe organ with 1,229 pipes, one of the more unusual numbers at Callaway Gardens.

The chapel shows a quieter side of the property, away from the trails and golf courses.

6. More than 750,000 visitors a year

Callaway Gardens draws more than 750,000 visitors each year.

It also hit a milestone in 2006, when admissions reached 1 million. The first number describes typical yearly visits today; the second marks a high point in a single year.

Both show the scale of an attraction just north of the Columbus area.

7. A history that began in 1952

Cason and Virginia Callaway founded the gardens, which opened as the Ida Cason Gardens on May 21, 1952. Attractions were added over the next several decades.

Golf was there from the beginning, while the chapel and butterfly center came in later decades.

8. A $20 million improvement plan announced in 2022

On April 6, 2022, Herschend Family Entertainment agreed to buy Callaway Gardens' revenue-producing assets from the Ida Cason Callaway Foundation.

The plan called for $20 million in renovations and improvements over five years. That figure is the announced plan, not a tally of finished work.

Quick Q&A

How big is Callaway Gardens? The resort covers 2,500 acres. The neighboring Cason J. Callaway Memorial Forest covers 3,000 acres.

How many butterflies are in the butterfly center? About 1,000, from more than 50 species.

How long is the bike trail? The Discovery Bike Trail is 10 miles.

Who founded it? Cason and Virginia Callaway. It opened in 1952 as the Ida Cason Gardens.

What to know before you go

Outdoor fans can look into the 10-mile Discovery Bike Trail. Butterfly lovers can head to the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, and golfers have two courses with long ties to the property. History buffs can visit the memorial chapel.

Before you leave, check callawaygardens.com for current prices, hours, trail access and what's open.

How we did this

This guide uses information from the Wikipedia article "Callaway Gardens," reviewed Oct. 23, 2026. It covers the property's acreage, history, attendance, butterfly center, trails, golf courses, chapel and 2022 ownership agreement. Ticket prices, hours and events were not verified and are not included.