Accessibility at the Arboretum

The Morton Arboretum welcomes guests of all abilities and strives to create a safe, enjoyable, and engaging experience for all.

Accessible areas include the Children’s Garden, the Meadow Lake Trail, the Conifer Walk, and The Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden. Visit Accessibility at The Morton Arboretum for additional information.

Accessibility in the Children’s Garden

The majority of the Children’s Garden is accessed by paved paths and accessible wooden bridges. The typical grade is 2%. Several areas of the Garden have additional routes of entry by a rope bridge, stairs, or ladders. Accessible restrooms, including a family restroom, are located in the Central Plaza near the picnic pavilion. The partially covered picnic area, with accessible picnic tables, is typically available whenever the Children’s Garden is open.

Guests who have sensory processing needs may borrow (at no cost by leaving an ID) a sensory bag containing headphones, fidgets, visuals, and other calming tools. See the image below. These sensory bags can be checked out in the Visitor’s Center or from any Children’s Garden staff or volunteer team member.

Families may also utilize the following resources to help with a visit to the Children’s Garden:

• A social story to help prepare your child for their visit to the Children’s Garden.
• An activity Choice Board to help children communicate using pictures of activities in the Children’s Garden that they want to engage in. A visual schedule sheet and First/Then card are both available to provide structured and predictable activities for your child.
• A proprioceptive activity board that provides examples of “heavy work” or “deep” pressure activities to help your child feel calmer in an overstimulating environment.
• A sensory map to identify sensory triggers and quiet areas within the Children’s Garden if your child needs a calming break.

We continually work to remove barriers to participation in all of our programs. With guidance from our youth and family programs inclusion coordinator, we are available to discuss adaptations to activities that meet your individual needs.

We welcome inquiries from individual families as well as from organizations that serve people with disabilities. Please contact us at childrensgarden@mortonarb.org anytime to begin to plan your trip to the

Please direct accessibility-related questions to the Visitor Services team by calling 630-968-0074 or emailing trees@mortonarb.org.

Admission and Parking

Before visiting the Arboretum, plan ahead and buy online to save on general admission tickets, or become a member to enter any time without tickets.

Purchasing admission takes just a few minutes and can be done with a smartphone or computer. You will always save $2 per ticket when you buy online.

For information on how to buy Arboretum general admission tickets online, visit the Know Before You Go and Admission FAQ pages.

Arriving at the Gatehouse

Please have your Arboretum general admission tickets or membership card ready when you reach the gatehouse to ensure a smooth entry process. The friendly gatehouse attendant will scan your admission tickets from your smartphone, provide a paper map, answer preliminary questions, and direct you as needed.

Membership

Arboretum members may enter without purchasing general admission by showing a current digital or physical membership card at the gatehouse.

Interested in becoming a member? TheMorton 4 membership, which gives free admission to four people, is the most popular family offering. You can find a membership level for any size family. Members receive many benefits beyond free admission, including discounts on educational programs, discounted admission for accompanying guests, special programs, and so much more. Join today!

Discounted Admission

The Morton Arboretum offers discounted admission to:

• Active duty military and their families
• Members of many other arboretums and botanical gardens (some exclusions apply)
• Museums for All participants
• DuPage County residents on Wednesdays
• Friends and family accompanying members on a visit (some limits and exclusions apply)

Learn more about discounted admission and affordability programs.

Parking

Parking is free everywhere inside the Arboretum. Although Parking Lot 1 (P1) is the nearest to the Visitor Center and many major attractions, guests will find 33 parking lots along the roads winding through the Arboretum, all indicated on the maps.

Near Parking Lot 1 (P1) are many attractions for families with children, including the Visitor Center, the Children’s Garden, the Conifer Walk, the Grand Garden, the Sterling Morton Library, restrooms, and dining areas. On the Arboretum’s West Side, Parking Lot 21 (P21) at the Thornhill Education Center is a main parking area for educational programs and exploring the Arboretum’s West Side.

Children’s Garden

Bring your family to The Morton Arboretum’s award-winning Children’s Garden, where imagination lives, curiosity grows, and kids flourish.

Splash through secret streams, climb a colossal acorn, and slide down giant tree roots all day long. Explore, learn, and play among trees and the natural world.

The Children’s Garden includes two main garden areas: Backyard Discovery Gardens and Adventure Woods, linked by a Central Plaza that features restrooms, a picnic area, and party space for birthdays and more. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult while visiting the Children’s Garden.

Please note: The tree houses and rope bridges in the Adventure Woods area of the Children’s Garden have been removed. Other features in Adventure Woods will remain available for guests including Wonder Pond, the stream, and the Evergreen Lookout.

Accessibility in the Children’s Garden

The majority of the Children’s Garden is accessed by paved paths and accessible wooden bridges. The typical grade is 2%. Several areas of the Garden have additional routes of entry by a rope bridge, stairs, or ladders. Accessible restrooms, including a family restroom, are located in the Central Plaza near the picnic pavilion. The partially covered picnic area, with accessible picnic tables, is typically available whenever the Children’s Garden is open.

Guests who have sensory processing needs may borrow (at no cost by leaving an ID) a sensory bag containing headphones, fidgets, visuals, and other calming tools. See the image below. These sensory bags can be checked out in the Visitor’s Center or from any Children’s Garden staff or volunteer team member.

Families may also utilize the following resources to help with a visit to the Children’s Garden:

• A social story to help prepare your child for their visit to the Children’s Garden.
• An activity Choice Board to help children communicate using pictures of activities in the Children’s Garden that they want to engage in. A visual schedule sheet and First/Then card are both available to provide structured and predictable activities for your child.
• A proprioceptive activity board that provides examples of “heavy work” or “deep” pressure activities to help your child feel calmer in an overstimulating environment.
• A sensory map to identify sensory triggers and quiet areas within the Children’s Garden if your child needs a calming break.

We continually work to remove barriers to participation in all of our programs. With guidance from our youth and family programs inclusion coordinator, we are available to discuss adaptations to activities that meet your individual needs.

We welcome inquiries from individual families as well as from organizations that serve people with disabilities. Please contact us at childrensgarden@mortonarb.org anytime to begin to plan your trip to the

Please direct accessibility-related questions to the Visitor Services team by calling 630-968-0074 or emailing trees@mortonarb.org.

Explore the Arboretum

The Morton Arboretum is very large, taking in more than 1,700 acres (690 hectares). There are 9 miles of roads and 16 miles of walking trails. On your first visit, you will be able to park in Parking Lot 1 and walk to see many attractions near the Visitor Center.

Many other areas of the Arboretum, such as many of the tree collections, the natural areas, and the West Side, are too far for most people to walk. You can drive or bicycle along the paved Main Route.

As you plan a visit to the Arboretum for your next family outing, be sure to explore thisdownloadable and printer-friendly map that highlights paved and wood-chipped paths, visitor facilities, tree collections, gardens, water features, and more.

Visitor Center

The Arboretum’s Visitor Center is a central hub of activity and the perfect place to start your adventure. The Visitor Center is a popular place to meet with friends, warm up in the winter, and cool down on hot summer days. It has accessible restrooms, including a designated family restroom option with a changing station.

Stop by the Information Desk and Membership Services Desk to get your visit off to a great start. There you can get directions or suggestions for locations to visit with children and age-appropriate activities, borrow strollers, wheelchairs, and sensory backpacks, ), purchase Acorn Express tram ride tickets, and more.

The Ginkgo Café and Restaurant offer healthy and delicious dining options in a kid-friendly environment. During your visit, be sure to browse The Arboretum Store for souvenirs and gifts.

Walking and Hiking

There are more than 16 miles of walking trails. Those near the Visitor Center are paved and accessible. Most others are spread with wood chips for good footing. All the trails are connected, so you can take a very long walk if you choose. Many visitors prefer to drive to one of the more than 30 small parking areas that connect with the trail network to begin a walk. You may also walk along the roads, but please keep to the right and be aware of cars that may be coming up behind you.

Driving at the Arboretum

The paved roads are a one-way loop, with some shortcut loops. Roads are one lane with no passing allowed. The speed limit is 20 mph, with 10 mph in some stretches. Drive carefully and share the road with pedestrians and bicyclists. If you want to pause and enjoy a beautiful sight, please pull in to one of more than 30 small parking areas along the road so other cars can get by.

Biking at the Arboretum

Hop on your bicycle and explore the expansive grounds in a new and adventurous way. You have access to nine miles of paved roads that wind through the Arboretum’s magnificent tree collections. Bike racks are available at the Visitor Center, Big Rock and Prairie Visitor stations, and at the Thornhill Education Center. View full bicycling guidelines.

Please note, bikes are only allowed on the Main Route road and are not permitted on chipped or paved trails.

Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

On winter days, snowshoe and cross-country ski rentals are available when four inches or more of snow has accumulated on the Arboretum grounds. On such days, designated trails are groomed for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Even with plenty of snow, conditions vary and can affect rental hours. Please call the Visitor Center Information Desk at 630-968-0074 before your visit to confirm rental availability. Visit the Snowshoe and Skiing page to learn more about seasonal availability, hours, and rates.

Family-Friendly Trails

There are more than 16 miles of walking trails to explore at The Morton Arboretum. Trails near the Visitor Center are paved and accessible. Most others are spread with wood chips for good footing. All the trails are connected.

Trails for Little Ones

Near the central Visitor Center area, you will find several stroller-accessible paved trails that the whole family can enjoy. Take a walk on the Meadow Lake Trail around a scenic lake, with plenty of shady spots to stop and observe nature along the route. The Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden and the Ground Cover Garden near Arbor Court are beautiful, plant-filled spaces that are fully accessible. Venturing out a bit further, explore the Conifer Walk, which winds around the perimeter of the Children’s Garden.

On the West Side, park at Parking Lot 21 near the Thornhill Education Center and explore the paved paths of the Fragrance Garden. Nearby Joy Path is paved, but parts of it are somewhat steep.

Trails for Big Kids

On the Arboretum’s East Side, park near the Big Rock Visitor Station (Parking Lot 13) to explore the wood-chipped Woodland Trail or venture out further to see Big Rock, a boulder deposited by a melting glacier, along the longer Heritage Trail. If you head in the opposite direction across the Main Route road, you will find the Arboretum’s iconic Spruce Plot. If you continue down Main Trail Loop 3, it will lead through the Oak Collection, the Maple Collection and the Beech Collection.

On the Arboretum’s West Side, park near the Prairie Visitor Station (Parking Lot 25) to hike through Main Trail Loops 3 and 4, where you and your family will see a variety of habitats, including the Schulenberg Prairie, Willoway Brook, Sterling Pond, and the Pine Hill.

Both the Big Rock Visitor Station and Prairie Visitor Station have portable restrooms and hand-washing stations, picnic areas, and accessible parking.

We hope you enjoy your next visit to The Morton Arboretum. Please explore the FAQ page for more information regarding Arboretum policies.

For additional support, please reach out to one of the following teams.

Visitor Services: trees@mortonarb.org or 630-968-0074

Membership: membersmail@mortonarb.org or 630-719-2453

Tickets: tickets@mortonarb.org or 630-725-2066

Food Options

Explore family-friendly menus at the Ginkgo Café and Restaurant, featuring fresh and delicious kid’s menu options and a comfortable dining area for a break during your visit.

Or, pack a picnic to enjoy among the trees. Picnic areas are located at the west end of Parking Lot 1 by Meadow Lake; inside the Children’s Garden near the Central Plaza and across from the restrooms; at Big Rock Visitor Station; and at the Prairie Visitor Station.

Hours

The Morton Arboretum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to sunset. Arboretum members have exclusive access between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.

Children’s Garden

The Children’s Garden is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with member-only access at 9:00 a.m. on Friday mornings.

Thursday Family Nights

The Children’s Garden is open till 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays during the months of June, July, and August, with the exception of June 20, July 4, and July 11.

Learning Opportunities for Children

The Morton Arboretum offers programs and learning areas for youth and family to learn about trees, animals, and about how to use all your senses in nature.

Children and Family Education Programs

The Arboretum offers classes that focus on empowering you to become your child’s nature guide. The Morton Arboretum’s early childhood experts lead tailored programs to meet the learning needs and curiosities of each age group, from 18 months to 12 years. Programs are offered throughout the year at reasonable rates. Explore the Arboretum’s full list of offerings.

The Sterling Morton Library

Located in the Administration and Research Center, the Sterling Morton Library is a quiet place to unwind during an active visit to the Arboretum, featuring stunning architecture and its intimate garden—the May T. Watts Reading Garden—a perfect place to spend a summer’s day reading a good book with your family.

There is plenty to explore, from educational exhibits to interactive quiet play areas for little kids that include puzzles and other age-appropriate activities.

Summer Science Camps

Unlock your child’s imagination with interactive outdoor adventures among 1,700 acres of trees at The Morton Arboretum or in your own backyard. Through science experiments, art, and creative play, the Arboretum’s innovative Summer Science Camps will inspire your child to become a Tree Champion. Discover more than 100 camps for children in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, designed by Arboretum experts.

Youth Volunteer Program

The Youth Volunteer Program is a multi-year experience that offers teens opportunities to explore environmental education, tree science, and STEM experiences while helping others. The activities are designed for youth entering grades 7, 8, or 9 who enjoy being outdoors, working with children, and gardening. The program is intended to be a multiple-year experience, as volunteers may return to the program each summer through high school.

Maze Garden

The intriguing Maze Garden at The Morton Arboretum offers an adventure for young and old alike. As you find your way through this living puzzle, you’ll find that every adventure is different as the maze changes from season to season. If you’d rather watch from above, climb the stairs to a 12-foot-high lookout platform built around a stunning 60-foot-tall sycamore tree. There, you’ll enjoy a bird’s-eye view of your family as they navigate the maze.

Nature Play Spaces

In addition to the 4-acre Children’s Garden, The Morton Arboretum features two Nature Play Spaces that are designed for creative, unstructured, outdoor play. These spaces are great spots to play games, tell stories, and make your own set of rules.

One is the Word Garden, located on the East Side near Parking Lot 13, across from Big Rock Visitor Station. The Word Garden features rocks painted with words, letters, and pictures to allow you and your child to express yourselves in this quiet, creative nook.

The other is the Mud Kitchen, on the West Side near Parking Lot 20. It features a play cabin, a tree-stump stove, pots, pans, and dirt pile designed for digging, with tools provided. Tree stump tables and chairs wait outside the cabin. Depending on the weather, children (and adults!) can make mud pies, dirt cakes, or snow cones if you visit in the winter.

Restrooms and Changing Areas

Restroom facilities with changing areas are located in the Visitor Center, the Children’s Garden, and the Thornhill Education Center.

Family restrooms are available in the Visitor Center East and West Pavilions and in the Children’s Garden.

Portable restrooms without changing areas are available throughout the Arboretum, including in the bus lot (Parking Lot 1), Big Rock Visitor Station (Parking Lot 13,  East Side), and the Prairie Visitor Station (Parking Lot 25, West Side).

What to Bring

Plan ahead for an enjoyable outing to The Morton Arboretum.

For the Family

• Walking shoes, water-repellent shoes, or boots for inclement weather.
• Layers of clothing so you can add or remove layers to maintain your comfort level.
• Sun hats and sunscreen if you will be in the sun.

For Children

• An extra set of clothes, because the Arboretum is outdoors and play can be wet and dirty.
• A stroller if your child is too young to walk long distances.
• Sandals or aqua shoes for the Secret Stream and Wonder Pond in the Children’s Garden.
• Insect repellent containing DEET to deter mosquitoes and ticks.
• Sun hats and sunscreen.

What to Leave at Home

Please leave dogs and other pets at home. They are not permitted at the Arboretum, in vehicles or on the grounds, except for service animals and on specially-designated Dog Admission Days.

Although Wonder Pond and the Secret Stream in the Children’s Garden are fun for wading, please leave swimsuits at home.

Balls, kites, rollerblades, Segways, drones, scooters, skateboards, and fishing equipment are prohibited on the Arboretum grounds.

Please help us maintain a peaceful environment that prioritizes safety and the well-being of all.