Canopy Walk & Emergent Tower at Holden Arboretum

Photos by OHventures

Holden Arboretum
9500 Sperry Road
Kirtland, OH 44094
(440) 946-4400

As a kid, my friends and I would spend hours in the woods, climbing trees, trying to get as high as we could, so we could see as far out as possible. Of course, we could never get too high, because we were so little, and because there was no safe or easy path to the top. Now, even as adults, the idea of being in the treetops is something we all still yearn for.

Thankfully, breathtaking treetop views are waiting for you at the Holden Arboretum, located in Kirtland, Lake County, Ohio.

The Holden Arboretum is a gorgeous park, and is considered to be one of the largest botanical gardens in the nation. There are more than 3,600 acres of gardens and wooded area to be explored, holding over 9,400 different kinds of plants.

Some highlights of the display gardens include the rhododendron garden, the hedge collection, and the magnolia collections. It's remarkable to walk through and see the beautifully colored array of flowers and plants, from lilies to witch hazels to lilacs, depending on the season.

But what we came for was the trees. You can walk along trails lined with conifers like pines, spruces and firs, and deciduous trees like maple, oak, and beech.

Now, thanks to two new features at the Holden Arboretum, you can also walk on top of and above the trees! The Murch Canopy Walk and the Kalberger Emergent Tower are open April 1 through November 1, and can be accessed by just a small fee at the ticket gate.

The Canopy Walk is 500 feet in length, and is built 65 feet above the forest floor. The walkway goes from tree to tree, and gives you an exciting and unique experience and perspective of the woods. Take your time to look up, down, and around when you are walking along these suspended pathways!

The Kalberger Emergent Tower is an impressive wooden structure that soars 120 feet into the sky. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to get a workout in as you climb a great deal of steps to reach the observation deck at the top! When you do finally get to the peak, you can get an unbeatable 360 degree view of the entire park, and the surrounding areas. You can even see Lake Erie to the north!

Be sure to bring a camera and take tons of pictures, and a water bottle! Make sure you prepare for a visit that lasts at least 2 hours, to account for the time it takes to wait in line for the tower, and the time it takes to soak in the views! After all, it's a view you've probably been hoping to see since you were a kid!