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Explore the Holden Arboretum – Canopy Walk, Tower, Nature Play Area & More!

Last Updated: 6/29/2023

The Holden Arboretum is a hidden gem located in Lake County and is a must-visit spot for anyone in Northeast Ohio. The arboretum covers 3,600 acres and features more than 20 miles of trails, a Canopy Walk (an elevated walkway 65 feet above the forest floor), the Emergent Tower (a 120-foot tower where on a clear day you can see all the way to Lake Erie), and a natural play area for kids. It's a great destination for families and people of all ages. Plus, it's also dog-friendly, so you can bring your pup along to enjoy the fun. 

Pack some drinks and snacks and wear your comfortable shoes because you can easily spend the entire day exploring the gardens.

Experience the Canopy Walk & Emergent Tower

One of the highlights of the Holden Arboretum is the Canopy Walk and Emergent Tower. These areas are free for members and require an additional fee for nonmembers. The unique experience is well worth the additional charge!

The tower is 120 feet in the air and the views from the top are amazing. We were there on a clear sunny day and could see all the way to the lake. We can't wait to go back in the fall to see the colorful leaves.

Helpful Tip: Tickets to the Canopy Walk & Tower are first come first serve and they can sell out for the day. Make sure to arrive early and get your tickets as soon as you arrive. For up-to-date information on ticket availability, call (440) 602-3838.

Located a short walk from the tower, the canopy walk allows you to walk 65 feet above the ground. At first it feels strange to walk among the trees especially since it can be a little wobbly, but we had a great time walking the bridges. 

The canopy walk is accessible for guests of all abilities. While we were there we met someone in a wheelchair that was easily able to enjoy the canopy walk. 

Natural Play Area at Holden Arboretum

Buckeye Bud's Adventure Woods  is a natural play area where kids are encouraged to explore. There are logs for building, a mini zip line, obstacle courses, bird feeding stations, fossil dig sand area, explorer cabin and much more.

There are plenty of benches and seating so parents can sit and watch as their kids play. Of course you can also join in the fun and let your kids imaginations take over. 

Things to Know Before You Visit the Holden Arboretum

• Tickets to the Canopy Walk & Tower are first come first serve and they can sell out for the day. Make sure to arrive early and get your tickets as soon as you arrive. For up-to-date information on ticket availability, call (440) 602-3838.
• Dogs are welcome. Make sure to bring a leash and a water bowl. 
• The paths are beautiful and are great for going on long trail runs or just a leisurely walk. Because of all the flowers and trees the park is beautiful any time of the year.
• It is absolutely safe and family friendly, but the canopy can feel a little wobbly, as its suspended from the trees. This might cause anxiety for little ones. Make sure you tell your kids that they are not allowed to run or jump while on the canopy.
• The tower was one of the coolest and thrilling things I've done in a while. It is definitely worth the hike all the way to the top. The views are beautiful! 
• Pack some snack items or a picnic lunch. There are plenty of places throughout the park for you to enjoy a picnic. Reusable bottles are a great option for drinks because they can be easily refilled.
• If you are planning to visit more than once throughout the year, a family membership is worth the investment. In addition, they offer discounted admission for military families, AAA members, college Students and low income families.
• Members also get in free to the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, so if you are planning to go to both the Holden Arboretum and the Cleveland Botanical Gardens in the same year, get the family membership and save.

Have Tips or Comments About The Holden Arboretum?  Leave a comment below to let us know. Thanks!

Discounts to Holden Arboretum

While there is an admission fee for the arboretum as well as the canopy walk and tower, there are a number of different discounts available.

Note: These discounts may change at any time. Please visit the Holden Arboretum Website to confirm discounts before visiting.

• Active Duty Military & Family Discount : Free with a military ID  (There is a fee for tickets to the Murch Canopy Walk and Kalberer Emergent Tower.)
• AAA Discount: $1 off discount for AAA members with a valid membership card
• College Student Discount:  $1 off discount for college students with a valid student ID
• Museums for all Program: The garden is part of the Museums For All program , which enables low-income families to visit for $1 per person with the presentation of an Electronic Benefits Transfer card. Discount is available to card holders and their immediate family members purchasing tickets at the same time. Tickets for the Murch Canopy Walk and Kalberer Emergent Tower are not included in the admission price.

Holden Arboretum 9550 Sperry Road, Kirtland, Ohio 44094 The arboretum is open year round, but the canopy walk and tower are open seasonly (April-Oct) (440) 946-4400 Website

You may also be Interested In:

• Best Outdoor Activities in Northeast Ohio
• Botanical Gardens in Northeast Ohio
• Ultimate List of Things to do with Kids in Northeast Ohio

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This Epic Canopy Tour Is Located In Ohio, Just 4.5 Hours Away

Calling all aspiring Ewoks!

That reference is a bit too "Sci-fi" for ya? No sweat. Just trade it out for " Swiss Family Robinsons. "

No? Okay. Try " Robin Hoods" ('Prince of Thieves'-era) "

Nope? Geez. How 'bout... " Tarzans "?

Nothing? Really? ... Really? Whatever. Moving on. Lemme put it this way:

Do you like to (/ have you ever wanted to) frolic amongst the tree tops? Traipse across bridges festooned through a forest canopy? Rise above the branches like some half-bird/ half-monkey/ all-explorer, presiding over all that you survey?

Yes? Sweet. ( Finally! ) Sounds like you're a natural-born fan of canopy tours.

If that's the case, you can stop pinching your pennies and saving up for that trip to whatever tropical hotspot you heard about on the Travel Channel. We've got the perfect destination for ya, right here in the good ol' U.S.ofA. In the Midwest, no less.

In fact, it's located in none other than -- drumroll please -- Ohio! Kirtland, OH, to be exact. (About a half-hour outside of Cleveland.) Gasp.

That's right, gang. After an easy-peezy 4.5-drive from Cincy, you can get your canopy-walk on at The Holden Arboretum . The newly unveiled Kalberer Family Emergent Tower and Judith & Maynard H. Murch IV Canopy Walk are 'bout to give you a whole new perspective on adventure.

Now, before you hop into the photo gallery above for a squirrel's-eye-view of the experience, take a quick sprint through these need-to-knows.

CANOPY WALK / EMERGENT TOWER

• 2016 season: April 1 through November 1.
• Open every day from 9am to 5pm.
• Extended hours (June 2 - August 25): Open Thursday nights from 5pm-8pm. Last tickets sold at 7pm.
• Both structures have finite capacity. Visitors are encouraged to call or check the website for the latest intel prior to visiting.
• Location: 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, OH 44094

THE HOLDEN ARBORETUM "The Holden Arboretum is an outdoor living museum that promotes the beauty and importance of trees and other woody plants to create sustainable and healthy communities in the Great Lakes region and beyond." -- Per the Arboretum itself

• Covers 3,600 acres
• Hosts more than 20 miles of hiking trails
• Home to more than 120,000 documented plants
• Recognized by the Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area

Yep, all of that goodness is right here in the Buckeye State.

Impressed (but kinda not surprised)? Now we're on the same page.

For a peek into the adventure, scroll back up and check out the photo gallery . For more information, swing by the the Holden Arboretum website . Happy exploring!

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Hiking the Parks & Preserves of Ohio

Holden Arboretum: Canopy Walk & Emergent Tower

In mid-August we visited Holden Arboretum to see two new attractions – the Murch Canopy Walk and the Kalberer Emergent Tower. Located in Lake County, Holden Arboretum is the largest publicly-accessible arboretum in the state of Ohio. With 3,600 acres of gardens and forest and over twenty miles of trails there is much to see and do. This article discusses the new canopy walk and the emergent tower. For more information on Holden Arboretum, please see the posts about our earlier visits .

Murch Canopy Walk

The Murch Canopy Walk takes the visitor high into the tree-top canopy. You walk in a 500-foot loop between tree-top towers via wooden, pedestrian, suspension bridges. From the suspension bridges you get a squirrels-eye view, 65 feet above the forest floor, of the surrounding treetop canopy.

Kalberer Emergent Tower

Located near-by is the Kalberer Emergent Tower. Once you enter the wooden tower, you climb a sequence of stairs. Many, many steps later you emerge 120 feet above the forest floor to a wooden observation deck above the tree-tops. From there you can see the surrounding forest, garden areas of the arboretum, and on a good day, Lake Erie off in the distance.

We visited in August and enjoyed the canopy walk and tower, as well as Holden’s many other attractions. I would expect that the canopy walk and tower would be spectacularly colorful during peak fall foliage.

There is an entry fee for Holden Arboretum, and tickets for the canopy walk and tower must be purchased separately. Tickets may be purchased at either the entrance to the arboretum, or in the visitors center. For pricing and hours of operation of the canopy walk and tower, please see the Holden web site . Note: the canopy walk and tower may be closed for periodic maintenance. Please check the web site prior to your visit.

Additional information

• TrekOhio: Lake County Parks & Nature Preserves — This is the county where Holden Arboretum is located; check out this page for links to the official website and for information on nearby parks and preserves.
• Holden Arboretum: Murch Canopy Walk & Kalberer Emergent Tower
• TrekOhio: Holden Arboretum — Our overview of the arboretum
• TrekOhio: Hiking A Nature Trail at Holden Arboretum — Description of one of the nature trails
• Address: 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, Ohio 44094
• GPS Coordinates: 41.6089711, -81.3021156
• Google Maps : View on map or get directions

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Explore The Forest And Become One With Nature At This Amazing Arboretum Canopy Walk

Holden Forests & Gardens takes pride in connecting people with the wonder, beauty, and immense value of trees and plants. This campus, located east of Cleveland, sprawls over an enchanting expanse of land in Lake and Geauga Counties and offers gardens, trails, lakes and meadows. Plus, entry to iconic attractions such as the Murch Canopy Walk and Kalberer Emergent Tower are included with your admission. Holden Forests & Gardens  is located at Warren H. Corning Visitor Center or the Katharine Holden Thayer Center, at 9550 Sperry Road, in Kirtland, Ohio . For more information, click here .

The Canopy Walk at Holden Arboretum , invites guests to stroll along a 500-foot-long elevated walkway that rises 65 feet above the forest floor. Walk amongst the treetops, and appreciate the forest from an entirely new perspective.

This immersive experience takes guests in and out of the forest canopy to experience everything  from the middle of a mature forest to a raised view of streams and the forest floor. The walk is comprised of four platforms and four suspension bridges.

First-time guest and want to learn more about the Arboretum? Long-time patron and you’d like to sit back and enjoy the campus from a different angle? The Highlights Tram Tours provide guests of all ages and mobility levels a chance to discover selected gardens and collections, and learn a little history at the same time.

Kalberer Emergent Tower. The Emergent Tower is 120 feet (or approximately 12 stories) tall, which allows for a breathtaking, unrivaled view of the surrounding area. Guests can see all the way to Lake Erie. The Tower is 202 steps up to the top of the platform , the Tower is open from April to November, and the experience changes with each passing season.

Visiting Holden Forests & Gardens is a captivating way to enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you want to experience a rotating roster of seasonal activities or retread your favorite attractions, we’re excited to be your destination to learn, explore, and grow. There area miles of trails you need to explore, winding through a beautiful forest.

Holden Forests & Gardens has a wide variety of events throughout the year, including picnics, concerts, nature hikes, summer camps and so much more! To see their schedule of events, click here . Pictures used in this article are owned by Holden Forests & Gardens . This is a fantastic place to explore and spend a day!

For more incredible adventures in Ohio, click here . Looking for lodging, click here . For a listing of the best parks and amazing locations in the area, click here .

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The Treetop Trail That Will Show You A Side Of Ohio You've Never Seen Before

April is the Ohio staff writer for Only in Your State. She is an Ohio native with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. With more than 10 years of writing experience and a background in news reporting for Ohio newspapers, she's published pieces in multiple print and online publications. When she's not on deadline or chasing after her toddler, she's hunting for hidden gems in Ohio or getting lost in a good book.

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Few people know there’s an incredible treetop trail hiding in the Buckeye State that Ohio explorers and nature lovers will absolutely love. The Judith and Maynard H. Murch Canopy Walk at Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, Ohio belongs at the top of your bucket list. It offers a truly unique experience to outdoor enthusiasts and shows off a side of Ohio’s natural beauty you’ve likely never seen before.

And as an added bonus, there’s an observation tower on site that takes you up even further up—so much further that you end up above the trees. Check it out:

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You’ll find this stunning treetop trail at 9550 Sperry Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094 . Have you ever been here before? If so, please share your photos and experiences with us!

For more treetop adventures in Ohio, check out our previous article: 9 Amazing Treetop Adventures You Can Only Have In Ohio .

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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The Holden Arboretum

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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The Holden Arboretum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

• Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• (6.93 km) Best Western Plus Mentor-Cleveland Northeast
• (11.69 km) Residence Inn by Marriott Cleveland Mentor
• (7.30 km) Comfort Inn
• (14.54 km) Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland East / Mayfield Village
• (8.95 km) Bass Lake Taverne & Inn
• (12.47 km) Scooter's World Famous Dawg House
• (6.95 km) Skye Bistro Best Restaurant in Mentor Oh
• (7.58 km) Great Harvest Bread Company
• (7.66 km) Redhawk Grille
• (7.97 km) TJ's On The Avenue
• (0.00 km) Canopy Walk & Emergent Tower
• (7.32 km) James A. Garfield National Historic Site
• (3.06 km) Lake Metroparks Penitentiary Glen Reservation
• (4.15 km) Lake Metroparks Farmpark
• (5.56 km) Historic Kirtland

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Look at Spring Unfolding From Up Above at Holden Arboretum

Wed 4/24 @ 9am-5pm.

What a weird spring. Some things were too early, some things were late. And some trees blossomed right on time. We almost missed the daffodils but it looks like everything is coming up tulips now.

And after each Cleveland winter, it’s therapeutic to get outside and see what’s going on with nature. The ideal time to do so is right now as the trees are about to leaf out, and the ideal place to do so is Holden Arboretum in Kirtland with its meadows and woods and ponds and many trails to hike. You can also view the incipient greenery from up above by ascending the Kalberer Emergent Tower or strolling along the Murch Canopy Walk.

Holden Arboretum is open Tuesday through Saturday @ 9Am-5PM. The Tower and Canopy Walk are open from 10Am-4:45PM. They’re included in the price of admission. Get tickets here .

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Kirtland, OH 44094

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Holden Arboretum Highlights Tour

Tour Series: Explore Activities and C...

Sun, Apr 14, 2024

12 PM – 4 PM EDT (GMT-4)

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The Holden Arboretum

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travelers

THE HOLDEN ARBORETUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• (6.93 km) Best Western Plus Mentor-Cleveland Northeast
• (11.69 km) Residence Inn by Marriott Cleveland Mentor
• (7.30 km) Comfort Inn
• (14.54 km) Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland East / Mayfield Village
• (8.95 km) Bass Lake Taverne & Inn
• (12.47 km) Scooter's World Famous Dawg House
• (6.95 km) Skye Bistro Best Restaurant in Mentor Oh
• (7.58 km) Great Harvest Bread Company
• (7.66 km) Redhawk Grille
• (7.97 km) TJ's On The Avenue
• (0.00 km) Canopy Walk & Emergent Tower
• (7.32 km) James A. Garfield National Historic Site
• (3.06 km) Lake Metroparks Penitentiary Glen Reservation
• (4.15 km) Lake Metroparks Farmpark
• (5.56 km) Historic Kirtland

Arbor Day of Giving

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In honor of Arbor Day each year, we ask you to consider donating to support our continued dedication to plants and trees. Your donation directly supports our research, conservation, and community forestry efforts here in northeast Ohio and beyond.

Join us at either campus on Friday, April 26th, to celebrate Arbor Day with free admission and a seedling giveaway.

Learn more about the advancements we’re making in plant and tree science on the Get Growing Blog .

Ready to donate? You can do so here .

Holden Arboretum

Tram tour tickets are available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis at the Corning Visitors Center on the day of your visit.

Length:   45 minutes Cost:   $9 Adults (13+), $6 Children (3-12) Children 2 and under may ride in an adult’s lap

Tram Tours have concluded for the season and will return in May of 2024.

Accessibility for Our Guests in a Wheelchair: Tours that run on the quarter or three quarters of the hour are wheelchair accessible.

Group Tours: Use the links below to reserve your group tram tour.

Reserve a group tour for up to 13 passengers.

Reserve a wheelchair accessible tour, up to 6 passengers. (one wheelchair)

Tram Tour FAQ

Let’s get to the root of our most commonly-asked questions.

Where do we board the tram?

The tram stop is located right outside the Corning Visitor Center near the sidewalk. Please be at the tram stop 5 minutes before your purchased ticket time.

How many people can ride the tram at once?

Our standard shuttle tram can hold 13 people. An ADA-accessible shuttle is available and can hold the guest in a wheelchair and 5 other guests.

Where do I put my stroller?

Strollers, walkers, wagons, and large bags: Please be aware that the tram cannot accommodate these items, and storage may not be available on site. It is advised to leave bulky items safely in your vehicle.

Will the tram operate in the rain?

The tram will operate in most weather conditions, please dress appropriately for the weather. Tours may be canceled in the event of unsafe weather conditions, and refunds will be issued at the visitor center information desk.

Are there any restrooms available during the tour?

Restrooms are available in the Corning Visitor Center before or after your tram tour experience.

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