Explore Events
Mark your calendar. There’s always something amazing happening at Klehm.
Wildflower Walk
Friday, May 10th, 2024
Join Education & Programming Coordinator Elly for a woodland wildflower walk!
Field Trip Virtual Open House
Monday, April 29th, 2024
Klehm is hosting a virtual “open house” where teachers, principals, administrative assistants, and others can drop in to ask questions about our new field trip program. You will also get a sneak peek at our pre-packed backpacks for our leaders!
Smithsonian’s Habitat: Protecting Habitats Protects Lives
Saturday, June 8th – Sunday, September 8th, 2024
Habitat explores the stories and science of habitats, and the plants, animals, and humans that call them home. The exhibition features 14 different outdoor displays, sculptures and other interactive features throughout Klehm’s grounds and gardens.
#klehmarboretum
What Can I Experience at Klehm?
As one of Rockford, Illinois’ top outdoor family-friendly destinations, there’s something for everyone. Our 155 acres of woodlands and botanical gardens feature a children’s garden, 1.4 miles of paved paths, 3 miles of wooded trails and much more!
Nancy Olson
Children’s Garden
Explore Kid’s Creek for interactive stream play and frolic through our splash pad! Enjoy different kid-friendly gardens, an observation tower and oversize play structures that invite children to experience nature in a playful setting.
Garden
Pavillion
This spacious outdoor tented venue and landscaped patio is perfect for hosting wedding receptions as well as corporate and social functions.
Very beautiful grounds that are maintained very well. The main walking path is wide, paved, and easy to walk, so great for strollers or people with slight walking challenges. There are plenty of places to stop, sit, and reflect, which I really appreciate.
Connie Jo Holmes
Very beautiful grounds that are maintained very well. The main walking path is wide, paved, and easy to walk, so great for strollers or people with slight walking challenges. There are plenty of places to stop, sit, and reflect, which I really appreciate.
Connie Jo Holmes
My family comes here at least twice a year to visit the children's garden and it never disappoints! It's always clean, the flowers and grounds are beautiful and the walks are always adventurous. Definitely recommend bringing a suit for the kiddos and maybe some cups if they play in the 'river' and splash ground. Nice covered gazebo w/picnic tables and lots of shaded areas.
Deanna Baily
My family comes here at least twice a year to visit the children's garden and it never disappoints! It's always clean, the flowers and grounds are beautiful and the walks are always adventurous. Definitely recommend bringing a suit for the kiddos and maybe some cups if they play in the 'river' and splash ground. Nice covered gazebo w/picnic tables and lots of shaded areas.
Deanna Baily
Very nice place for a relaxing walk. A getaway for stress relief. Both easy paved walking paths and nature trails for those wanting to go adventuring.
Well designed for both adults and children. There is a great wonderful entertainment and water park for kids. They also create themes for people to walk through. When we were there, the theme was Big Bugs.
A great getaway.
Enjoy!
Rick Noll
Very nice place for a relaxing walk. A getaway for stress relief. Both easy paved walking paths and nature trails for those wanting to go adventuring.
Well designed for both adults and children. There is a great wonderful entertainment and water park for kids. They also create themes for people to walk through. When we were there, the theme was Big Bugs.
A great getaway.
Enjoy!
Rick Noll
No matter your age Klehm has much to offer. The day we visited most recently areas were set for two late summer weddings and the weather was perfect. The display of sculptures was terrific this year. My grandsons love the children garden especially the water features. All of these things are great fun the peaceful beauty among such a huge variety of plants and trees. Well worth a visit.
Melody Welty
No matter your age Klehm has much to offer. The day we visited most recently areas were set for two late summer weddings and the weather was perfect. The display of sculptures was terrific this year. My grandsons love the children garden especially the water features. All of these things are great fun the peaceful beauty among such a huge variety of plants and trees. Well worth a visit.
Melody Welty
I love this place. Sometimes on the trails I can forget that I'm in the middle of a 100k+ city. It is sufficiently forested to remove the bulk of the city noise and allow me to attune myself to sounds of nature. I can trek the trails for a couple of hours and not walk the entirety of the grounds. I would definitely recommend going in the fall and the spring. Nature's fireworks are on full display during these seasons. Consider buying a membership if you like places like these.
Restrooms: Very clean and well maintained.
Dog-friendliness: Very popular place to walk one's dog. Everyone seems to be very courteous with dogs on leashes and cleaning up after their pets.
Joshua Blackwell
I love this place. Sometimes on the trails I can forget that I'm in the middle of a 100k+ city. It is sufficiently forested to remove the bulk of the city noise and allow me to attune myself to sounds of nature. I can trek the trails for a couple of hours and not walk the entirety of the grounds. I would definitely recommend going in the fall and the spring. Nature's fireworks are on full display during these seasons. Consider buying a membership if you like places like these.
Restrooms: Very clean and well maintained.
Dog-friendliness: Very popular place to walk one's dog. Everyone seems to be very courteous with dogs on leashes and cleaning up after their pets.
Joshua Blackwell
This is a wonderful place in Rockford, IL!
The admission fee is very reasonable. You can bring young children for the splash park and creek. Our party had 2 4 year olds that played for more than an hour, took a break for lunch and rest room breaks and then went back to play some more.
The only reason I didn't choose 5 stars is because there is so much more park to see, I want to reserve the 5th star for my next visit.
Barbara J. Arnold
This is a wonderful place in Rockford, IL!
The admission fee is very reasonable. You can bring young children for the splash park and creek. Our party had 2 4 year olds that played for more than an hour, took a break for lunch and rest room breaks and then went back to play some more.
The only reason I didn't choose 5 stars is because there is so much more park to see, I want to reserve the 5th star for my next visit.
Barbara J. Arnold
There are endless beautiful things to see. You can choose paved or natural paths.
Kristine Maynard
There are endless beautiful things to see. You can choose paved or natural paths.
Kristine Maynard
Very beautiful. Nature at it's best. Tons of flowers, plants and trees. Many unique tree varieties and many are labeled. The main paths are wide and paved and there are more narrow paths that cut through the wooden areas. We brought our dog and had a great time.
Ken Witz
Very beautiful. Nature at it's best. Tons of flowers, plants and trees. Many unique tree varieties and many are labeled. The main paths are wide and paved and there are more narrow paths that cut through the wooden areas. We brought our dog and had a great time.
Ken Witz
Discounted presale Garden Fair tickets are now available at fine retail garden locations throughout Rockford through Friday, May 31st, while supplies last! (Please note: cash or check are only accepted at these locations). See you at the Fair!!!
For a list of locations, please visit: klehm.org/garden-fair-weekend-2024/
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Just a reminder that this Friday is Arbor Day! Celebrate the importance of trees, green spaces, and nature education at this FREE community event for the whole family!
We will be hosting a guided walking tour along Klehm’s paved path and learn about our unique history beginning as a tree nursery. For anyone interested, plan to meet at 10AM at the Visitor's Center.
Plus, attendees will receive a free tree to plant (while supplies last)!
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Kristin Scholz we should take the kids out there
For us, Earth Day is every day! We are proud stewards of nature and want to ensure everyone has access to enjoy the outdoors. Take the time to get out and enjoy beautiful Northern Illinois today! We are open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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Klehm is the perfect place to celebrate Earth Day and appreciate all the beautiful wonders of the environment!
Join Education & Programming Coordinator Elly for a guided nature scavenger hunt TOMORROW, Earth Day 2024. Kids and parents are welcome as we walk the East Loop of the Arboretum and Botanic Garden to find nature-related items on the list. This activity will last 30-40 minutes (approx.) and is recommended for children ages 4-6, but all kids and adults are welcome!
This program is free with paid admission to the garden and free for members, and no registration is required. Before or after the program, participants are encouraged to walk the grounds and appreciate the earth by viewing all our different trees, plants, and wildlife.
In the case of severe weather, there will be a cancellation announcement on our Facebook page.
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