Visiting with Dogs

Explore the Arboretum with your canine companion on selected dates.

Several times a year, The Morton Arboretum hosts Dog Admission Days and Tails on the Trails events. These are the only times that dogs not designated as service dogs are allowed on the grounds of the Arboretum. Service dogs are welcome at no cost daily, and should be identified when entering at the gatehouse.

These special events provide an opportunity to explore the Arboretum’s 16 miles of trails with your favorite canine companion.

Dog and human admission passes must be reserved in advance through the Arboretum’s website and will become available for purchase or reservation close to the date of the event. Admission for dogs is $5 per dog and will be added to the ticketing fees at the time of purchase.

Dog Admission Days

Dog Admission Days offer members and guests the opportunity to visit the Arboretum with their dogs. Vendors and other Pet Expo attractions will not be available on these days.

Tails on the Trails

During Tails on the Trails events, guests can explore a Pet Expo, which features dog-oriented shopping from vendors representing local businesses and organizations, opportunities to adopt dogs, and options to learn about volunteering at local animal shelters.

Tips for Visiting with Dogs

Dog admission is $5 for each dog. Human and dog timed-entry tickets must be obtained in advance through the Arboretum’s website. Tickets are not available at the gatehouse. Members may pay for their dog tickets by using a credit card at the gatehouse.

Have your member ID and member pass or guest ticket ready when approaching the gatehouse.

Please adhere to the following rules while visiting the Arboretum with your dog on Dog Admission Days:

Dogs must be attended and on a leash at all times.
All dogs must have updated vaccinations and registrations.
For the safety of both your pet and the natural environment, do not let dogs go off the marked trails.
Please clean up after your pet. Bags are available at the Visitor Center.

Dogs are not allowed in the following locations:

Children’s Garden
Maze Garden
Visitor Center
Thornhill Educational Center
Administration and Research Center
May T. Watts Reading Garden
Thornhill Picnic Shelter (on Tuesdays, dogs are not allowed in the shelter from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)

Restrooms for humans who need to bring their dogs with them can be found at the following locations:

Big Rock Visitor Station
Prairie Visitor Station
Thornhill Picnic Shelter (on Tuesdays, dogs are not allowed in the shelter from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)

Remember, pets are permitted at The Morton Arboretum only on specific dates. Timed-entry passes are required for guests and will be honored within one hour after the time on the reservation.

Fees and Admission

Dog admission is $5 per dog for both members and guests and is available only on special Dog Admission Days and Tails on the Trails events. Please remember that dogs are allowed at the Arboretum only on certain days of the year.

Please note that guests are required to have reserved, timed-entry passes to the Arboretum. Passes are available for purchase 30 days in advance.

Both members and guests are required to have a dog admission pass for each dog accompanying them.

Your visit helps support the Arboretum’s mission of planting and conserving trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world.

Visiting the Arboretum with Service Animals

The Morton Arboretum welcomes members and guests of all abilities and strives to create a safe, enjoyable, and engaging experience for all. To support that goal, the Arboretum welcomes all service animals, including those still in training.

Because the Arboretum does not allow pets on the grounds (and some visitors disregard this rule), staff or visitors may inquire about your service animal if it is not wearing a vest or label. To help alleviate these questions, please let the gatehouse attendants know you have a service animal with you when you enter the Arboretum so they can make other staff aware.

To learn more about accessibility at the Arboretum, see the Accessibility Guide.