Arb Adventure
This week we're heading to the University of Michigan's Arboretum! We'll start at the Peony fields, amble down to Heathdale, visit the Huron River, and head back up the wooden stairs! Be prepared to see beauty, birds, and fun along the river!
Pro Tips:
- Paved and gravel and/or woodchip paths with larger rocks, and tree roots. Some sloped grades too.
- Not wheelchair or stroller accessible.
- Mostly shaded under trees except down near the river, which is more open from tree cover.
- Bring water, bug spray, or whatever else you require for a walk in the woods and near a river!
Walking distance:
- If you drive there = about 1 mile
- If you bus there = 1.2 miles
HOURS
Sunrise to Sunset
GETTING THERE:
Address: 1610 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, near the UM Hospital. This map gives an overview of the trails.
Driving? Parking is tricky near the Arboretum. There are only a few dedicated parking spots for the Arboretum on Washington Heights available all day. Otherwise, the UM parking lot up the hill marked M28 is permit parking only during the day, but it is FREE after 5:00 PM Monday through Friday and all day on Saturday and Sunday. Please pay close attention to signs and park at your own risk anywhere else.
Biking? There is a bike rack near the entrance to the Arboretum. As always, plan your trip there with caution since bike lanes may not be consistently available from your starting point.
Busing? If you're busing there, you will need to plan your route using The Ride tools. Depending on where you are starting from, the University of Michigan buses may also be an option. Anyone can ride the UM buses, but you are not able to bring a bike on the bus.
BEGIN at the entrance of Peony Fields and near the Visitor Center.
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Badge Series
Arbor Explorer
Badge Tags
Around Town
Game
SummerGame2025
Difficulty
⭐️ Standard
1 of out 4 difficulty
Badge Points
200
Comments
For code #3, bench from…
For code #3, bench from first fork does not have "What would you do..." on it. All benches after don't have statement either. For code #2, species included is not in final paragraph and title of section is just "Cross Continental", not "Cross Continental Connection".
Thanks for the heads-up on…
Thanks for the heads-up on the clarifications that we needed to make! If you submit a contact us https://aadl.org/contactus we can give you your missing code! You needed to take the trail until it ENDS (ignoring the small cut-offs on your left). Sorry for the confusion, and thanks for playing!
For code #3, ignore the part…
For code #3, ignore the part of the clue that stays take a fork to the left. Take the path ALL the way until he ends, then you will find the code you are looking for. Also, thank you to person #7 who completed this badge who gave my daughter and I (#8 and #9 to complete) that heads up so we could get past that clue and keep moving!
Bug spray is a MUST on this …
Bug spray is a MUST on this hike through the Arb!
This was a great morning…
This was a great morning hike - thank you!