Name: Morton Arboretum Loop
Rating: 4.5

“A rolling run through a diverse woodland.”

— Kristen Arendt

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildlife

For current admission fees and hours, visit the arboretum's website.

No running allowed on the trails of Morton Arboretum.

Overview

This loop features beautiful trails, lush trees, well-maintained grounds, and easy access.

Runner Notes

Running is not allowed on the trails of Morton Arboretum although you can run on the roads.

Description

This is a wonderful run on easy-to-access paths that wind through lush trees and fantastic scenery. The auto and bike paths are separate from the running path, so there is very little traffic. The paths are clean, and the park offers comfortable benches along the path for runners to take a seat for rest or pause to enjoy the scenery.

From the visitor center, start out on Meadow Lake Trail to connect to the Main Trail Loop 1. Once on the Main Trail Loop 1 you'll run past areas designated for rare plants, honeysuckle, viburnums and magnolia.

Continuing on the Main Trail Loop 2, you'll run through groves of mature buckeyes, oaks, lindens, maples and beeches. In the fall, this section of the run is gorgeous. The Main Trail Loop 3 and Main Trail Loop 4 make up the eastern half of the run looping around the East Woods.

The trail eventually loops back along the Main Trail Loop 1, highlighted by forests of non-native tree species from Korea, China and Japan. Be sure to stop by the visitor center post-run to learn more about the history of the arboretum.