Explore Events
Mark your calendar. There’s always something amazing happening at Klehm!
Rooted in Rockford: Art and Tree Science at Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden
June 7, 2025 – May 30, 2026
Get ready for an all-new seasonal outdoor exhibit blending tree science and artwork by Illinois-based artists at Klehm!
Call for Artists is now open – click to learn more!
Snowshoe Hike
Sunday, February 9th, 2025
Celebrate the natural wonders of winter with a fun and unique outing in a beautiful setting as Rocktown Adventures comes to Klehm Arboretum for a Snowshoe Hike. Have some fun in the snow, meet some new people, and learn the ins and outs of the fastest growing winter sport.
Firewalk Tranquility Walk
Tuesday, February 11th, 2025
Join us and be warmed by a fire as a part of this month’s special guided walk through the woods that focuses on breathing, using your senses, meditation, and reflection.
#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
Did you know it's National Squirrel Appreciation Day? Some may see these critters as a nuisance, while others may find them fascinating. Either way, they are quite entertaining and they are a part of our natural world whether we like it or not! They are so important as they are our seed and spore dispersers - we really appreciate that at Klehm! So, stop and take a minute to watch a squirrel or feed one and laugh at their silly ways 💕
#squirreappreciationday #welovesquirrels #loveasquirreltoday #klehmarboretum #gorockford #enjoyillinois ... See MoreSee Less
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Our organization is proud to announce Rooted in Rockford: Art and Tree Science at Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, a seasonal outdoor exhibit for 2025-2026 that blends tree science with artistic interpretation of the concept of “roots” both literally and figuratively, and will rely on Illinois-based artists for the submission of sculptures or other artworks to comprise the exhibit itself.
The Call for Artists is now open!
Deadline for submission is February 28, 2025.
For more information and for the link to the application, please visit: klehm.org/rooted-in-rockford-art-and-tree-science-at-klehm-arboretum-amp-botanic-garden/
#rooted #callforartists #summer #exhibition #klehmarboretum #gorockford #enjoyillinois ... See MoreSee Less
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If winter comes, can spring be far behind?
~Percy Bysshe Shelley
"Ode to the West Wind"
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On these cold, cold days, our greenhouse is keeping some of our potted plants warm and toasty until spring comes. It's fun to walk by and see the green!
#babyitscoldoutside #greenhouse #keepitcozy #plantlove #klehmarboretum #gorockford #enjoyillinois ... See MoreSee Less
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