Adventure right around the corner? Sounds like Michigan!
Right in Midland, Michigan, you can explore Midland's 1,400-foot canopy walk. This walk is a quarter-mile long, making it the nation's largest as it reaches up four stories into red pines and many other huge trees. There is so much more to see here than just the panoramic pond overlook. So much history is involved as well, as this walkway took 2,720 tons of steel to create the supports and structure.
Plan to spend about three hours in total exploring here. This experience is so relaxing as you wander across the boarded walkways over the wet area and listen to the sounds of nature. There is a massive playground that is open which is a great way to burn some energy. There are also several play areas with netting and ropes along the canopy walk for kids to enjoy. They can climb down into hidden lower levels in one of the pods on the canopy walk as well. In addition to the canopy walk, there is also 1.5 miles of paved pathways to explore.
This adventure is open year-round so no matter what season you visit, the experience will be awesome. Many love to even visit during each season as different plants are blooming at different times of the year and the fall colors make the views quite spectatular. If you are visiting after a heavy snowfall, be sure to call first to make sure Whiting Forest or Dow Gardens are open. Sometimes it takes quite a while to clear all of the paths prior to opening.
This canopy walk opened at Dow Gardens in Midland, Michigan in October 2018, and is truly a thrilling adventure for the entire family. Located in the Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens, this canopy walk overlooks pine trees, a newly-planted orchard, and a scenic pond area. Along with the great views, it has several nature-based interactive features to check out:
- A large cargo net suspended 35 feet above the forest floor allows you to enjoy the canopy in a unique way as you climb on the netting
- A clear glass platform floating over the orchard removes the visual barriers disconnecting you from the surrounding nature
- The shelter that overhangs the pond area allows to take in the view
- Two elevated wooden pods sway as you walk within them
- A netted walkway leads to an elevated pod
Location and Parking
The Canopy Walk is located at the Whiting Forest at Dow Gardens. The Whiting Forest Visitor Center is located at 2203 Eastman Avenue, Midland, Michigan. Parking is convenient as there are two parking lots right within Whiting Forest. Since 2019, guests will also be able to access Whiting Forest directly from the gardens via a new pedestrian bridge. This will allow guests to easily travel between the forest and gardens no matter which area they are parked in.
