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Events

Big Rock Member Trail Mixer

Meet fellow members and explore the hiking trails beyond the Arboretum’s central area.

Content Detail

The Big Rock Member Trail Mixer invites members of The Morton Arboretum to savor the beauty of autumn with activities and hikes centered around the Big Rock Visitor Station and the trails of the Arboretum’s East Woods on Sunday, October 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Whether you’re new to the Arboretum or have visited many times before, this free event is a great way to connect with fellow members and explore some of the Arboretum’s 16-mile network of trails.

Highlights

Explore the Arboretum

Stop by the “Animals of the Woodlands” station in the Visitor Center to learn about the creatures that live at the Arboretum and then look for signs of them along the trails.

Visit the “Geology of the Arboretum” display at Big Rock Visitor Station to discover how geological history is written in the Arboretum’s landscape.

Sign up for a free 30-minute guided hike to learn about the evolution of the Arboretum’s landscape and Big Rock’s connection to the unique geology of northern Illinois, or follow a special map marked with hidden gems and points of interest to visit on your own self-guided hike. Registration begins Saturday, September 6, and continues until hikes are fully booked.

Complimentary Snacks and Discounts

Check in at the welcome table in the Visitor Center on Sunday, October 5 to pick up a special Big Rock Member Trail Mixer map, a complimentary drink and snack (while supplies last), and to be entered into a drawing to win four AnyDay Tickets to Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum.

Members also receive a discount coupon for 10% off purchases made at the Ginkgo Café and the Ginkgo Restaurant. Discount coupons are valid on Sunday, October 5 only. Tree Advocate-level members and above receive 15% off.

Registration

The Big Rock Member Trail Mixer event is free for Arboretum members.

Guided hikes require advanced registration. Other activities are available on a drop-in basis. Registration for guided hikes opens on Saturday, September 6.

 

Your membership supports the Arboretum’s vision of a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together.

Highlights

The upcoming Big Rock Member Trail Mixer will explore the Big Rock Visitor Station and the surrounding trails on Sunday, October 5, 2025.

Visit the geology table at Big Rock Visitor Station to discover how geological history is written in the Arboretum’s landscape.

Visit the “Animals of the Woodlands” station in the Visitor Center to learn about the creatures that live at the Arboretum and then look for signs of them along the trails.

Self-Guided Hikes

Hike the Heritage Trail and Woodland Trail while learning about the evolution of the Arboretum’s landscape and how Big Rock displays the unique geology of northern Illinois.

Follow a special map marked with hidden gems and points of interest near Big Rock Visitor Station, the Heritage Trail, and the Woodland Trail.

A map for the Big Rock Member Trail Mixer on Sunday, October 5, will be available online closer to the event date. A printed map will be available to pick up at the Visitor Center or the Big Rock Visitor Station on the day of the event.

Guided Hikes

Follow a naturalist guide through the trails and listen to stories of the landscape’s transformation over time—from ancient glacial shifts and early human settlement to the Arboretum’s present-day leadership in tree science, conservation, and education.

Guided hikes will leave from Big Rock Visitor Station every 30 minutes starting at 10:30 a.m. The last hike leaves at 1:30 p.m.

Advance registration for guided hikes is required. Capacity for guided hikes is limited and spots will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Registration for guided hikes opens on Saturday, September 6.

Map

A map for the Big Rock Member Trail Mixer on Sunday, October 5, will be available online closer to the event date.

A printed map will be available to pick up at the Visitor Center on the day of the event.

Food Options

Stop by the Visitor Center on Sunday, October 5 to receive a complimentary drink and snack, available while supplies last.

Arboretum members receive a coupon for 10% off at the Ginkgo Café and the Ginkgo Restaurant, valid only on Sunday, October 5. Tree Advocate-level members and above receive 15% off.

Check in at the Big Rock Member Trail Mixer welcome table in the Visitor Center to receive your coupon.

Food and beverages are available at the Ginkgo Restaurant and the Ginkgo Café, both located in the Visitor Center. The Ginkgo Restaurant is open from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. From 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the Ginkgo Café offers prepackaged salads and sandwiches, bakery items, espresso beverages, hot tea, and drip coffee.

Accessibility

Accessible parking is available at parking lot P-13.

There are accessible portable toilets and hand-washing stations.

A short loop, beginning and ending at the parking lot, is paved with textured concrete and is accessible to strollers, wheelchairs, and walkers. The other trails that converge at the Big Rock Visitor Station, including the Heritage Trail, the Woodland Trail, Main Route Loop 3, and Main Route Loop 4, have a surface of loose wood chips and are not accessible to wheelchairs and walkers.

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