Accessible Trails
The Arboretum is divided into two sides, lying on either side of Illinois Route 53 and connected by an underpass. Each side has several accessible areas. Please consult the East Side map and West Side map before your visit.
The East Side is the larger of the two sections and contains some of the best-loved and most heavily visited locations on the grounds. You can find the Visitor Center, Meadow Lake, Children’s Garden, and Administration and Research Center on this side of the Arboretum.
Meadow Lake
Meadow Lake Path (P1) loops around a manmade lake located directly outside the Visitor Center. Depending on the season, guests can see birds, turtles, and native prairie plantings from this partially shaded paved path.
- Length: 0.6 miles
- Estimated time: 25 to 45 minutes
- Surface: paved asphalt
- Typical grade: 3%
- Maximum grade: 8%
Children’s Garden
The Children’s Garden (P1) spans over four acres of space and encompasses two main garden areas: Backyard Discovery Garden and Adventure Woods. These two areas are linked by the Central Plaza and include 10 different themed gardens. You can learn more about each of these themed gardens on the Children’s Garden page. The vast majority of the Children’s Garden is accessed by paved paths and accessible wooden bridges. Several areas of the garden have additional routes of entry by rope bridge, stairs, or ladders.
- Size: 4 acres
- Estimated time: 30 minutes to 3 hours
- Surface: concrete and paved asphalt
- Typical grade: 2%
- Maximum grade: 6%
Ground Cover Garden
Ground Cover Garden (P1) can be enjoyed by a short path that links the Visitor Center area to the Administration and Research Center. Depending on the time of year, this garden hosts up to 350 different species of plants.
- Length: 0.15 mile
- Estimated time: 10 to 30 minutes
- Surface: paved asphalt
- Typical grade: 0.5%
- Maximum grade: 5%
Administration and Research Center
The Administration and Research Center contains the Sterling Morton Library and the Cudahy Room. Guests are welcome to use the library during open hours, and members may obtain a library card and check out books from the collection. Some classes and events will take place in the Cudahy Room. The Library Parking Lot can be accessed by taking a right at the stop sign after passing the gatehouse, and then taking the first left. Parking here is limited, and additional parking is located in P1.
Big Rock Visitor Station
Big Rock Visitor Station Interpretive Path (P13) is an accessible trail that begins at the visitor station. Guests will see a sampler of ecosystems along the trail. This trail is made of textured concrete and is just under a quarter of a mile. The Big Rock Visitor Station is also the trailhead for the Heritage Trail and the Woodland Trail and provides access to Main Trail Loop 3. These trails from the Big Rock Visitor Station are wood chipped. This visitor station has a picnic area on gravel and accessible portable toilets.
- Length: .2 mile
- Estimated time: 10 to 25 minutes
- Surface: textured concrete
- Typical grade: 2%
- Maximum grade: 7%
Thornhill Education Center
On the West Side, the Thornhill Education Center (P21) hosts many of the classes that are offered by The Morton Arboretum. The building has two floors, with the majority of classes taking place on the lower level, which can be accessed by stairs or an elevator. The accessible entrance is on the east side of the building. There are accessible parking spaces near the start of the ramp.
Prairie Visitor Station
The Prairie Visitor Station Interpretive Path (P25) is an accessible trail that is a quarter-mile long and paved. The trail winds through a sample prairie, gives views of the Schulenberg Prairie, and takes guests past the remains of a 19th-century barn.
- Length: .2 mile
- Estimated time: 15 to 25 minutes
- Surface: textured concrete
- Typical grade: 5%
- Maximum grade: 10%
The Prairie Visitor Station is also the starting point for the Prairie Trail (gravel surface) and Acre Trail (mown grass) and provides access to Main Trail Loop 4 (wood-chipped surface). This visitor station has a picnic area on gravel. There are also accessible portable toilets at the Prairie Visitor Station.