Rockford

 

 

in spring

Klehm is Northern Illinois’ top outdoor destination for families.

Explore Events

Mark your calendar. There’s always something amazing happening at Klehm!

Plant Sale Fundraiser 2025

Plant Sale Fundraiser 2025

April 4th – May 4th, 2025 – Online Shopping!

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden’s annual Plant Sale Fundraiser is coming soon! Purchase your plants online beginning April 4th and pick up your order on May 9th or May 10th in the Garden Pavilion at Klehm.

These plants have been carefully selected to be new or unique varieties of beloved perennials that would be a great addition to your home landscape.

Arbor Day Celebration

Arbor Day Celebration

Friday, April 25th, 2025

Join us for our Arbor Day Celebration and take part in one of our great activities (tree giveaway, tree planting, tours) on this free admission day!

In Honor Of Trees Tranquility Walk

In Honor Of Trees Tranquility Walk

Wednesday, May 14th, 2025

On this twilight stroll through the forest, we will consider the relationship we have with trees, and honor those living beings that give us so, so much.

#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.

7

Specialty Gardens

provide a showcase for themed plantings of ornamental shrubs and trees as well as annual and perennial plants.

Garden
Pavillion

This spacious outdoor tented venue and landscaped patio is perfect for hosting wedding receptions as well as corporate and social functions.

Bradley & Georgann Gummow
Family Foundation

Entry Water Feature

This peaceful pond, rushing waterfall, and landscaped patio is the perfect spot for a moment of reflection during your visit.

★★★★★
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
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 Bailey
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
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
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
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
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
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
Ken Witz
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TODAY is FREE ADMISSION at Klehm to celebrate Arbor Day! There will be a bunch of other freebies today as well: trees (first come, first serve), guided walking tours and volunteer opportunities! Come on out and celebrate trees with us!

For all of the juicy details and schedule of the day, please visit: klehm.org/arbor-day-celebration/

#ArborDay #welovetrees #FreeAdmission #klehmarboretum #GoRockford #enjoyillinois
... See MoreSee Less

TODAY is FREE ADMISSION at Klehm to celebrate Arbor Day! There will be a bunch of other freebies today as well: trees (first come, first serve), guided walking tours and volunteer opportunities! Come on out and celebrate trees with us!

For all of the juicy details and schedule of the day, please visit: https://klehm.org/arbor-day-celebration/

#arborday #welovetrees #FreeAdmission #klehmarboretum #gorockford #enjoyillinois

🌸PLANT SALE FUNDRAISER FEATURE!🌸
You can purchase Sambucus 'Lemony Lace' as well as many other varieties online from now thru May 4th! In-person pickups and shopping will be May 9th (9AM - 3PM) and 10th (9AM-2PM) in the Garden Pavilion at Klehm. Thank you for your support!

klehm-arboretum-botanic-garden.square.site/s/shop
or visit www.Klehm.org to learn more and link to our Plant Sale Fundraiser!

#PlantSale #fundraiser #flowers #perennials #klehmarboretum #gorockford #enjoyillinois
... See MoreSee Less

🌸PLANT SALE FUNDRAISER FEATURE!🌸
You can purchase Sambucus Lemony Lace as well as many other varieties online from now thru May 4th! In-person pickups and shopping will be May 9th (9AM - 3PM) and 10th (9AM-2PM) in the Garden Pavilion at Klehm. Thank you for your support!

https://klehm-arboretum-botanic-garden.square.site/s/shop
or visit www.Klehm.org to learn more and link to our Plant Sale Fundraiser!

#PlantSale #fundraiser #flowers #perennials #klehmarboretum #gorockford #enjoyillinois

Come out to Klehm THIS FRIDAY, April 25th to celebrate Arbor Day with us! There will be a bunch of freebies, including: admission 🥳, trees (first come, first serve), guided walking tours and volunteer opportunities!

For all of the juicy details and schedule of the day, please visit: klehm.org/arbor-day-celebration/

#ArborDay #welovetrees #FreeAdmission #klehmarboretum #GoRockford #enjoyillinois
... See MoreSee Less

Come out to Klehm THIS FRIDAY, April 25th to celebrate Arbor Day with us! There will be a bunch of freebies, including: admission 🥳, trees (first come, first serve), guided walking tours and volunteer opportunities! 

For all of the juicy details and schedule of the day, please visit: https://klehm.org/arbor-day-celebration/

#arborday #welovetrees #FreeAdmission #klehmarboretum #gorockford #enjoyillinois

"This is not our world with trees in it. It’s the world of trees, where humans have just arrived." – Richard Powers

Whether we recognize it or forget it, we interact with trees every moment of our lives. Trees sustain us. On this twilight stroll through the forest, we will consider the relationship we have with trees, and honor those living beings that give us so, so much. And, we will reconnect with the prehistoric world that surrounds us to this day.

Join us for this LAST Tranquility Walk of the season!

Register here: klehm.org/in-honor-of-trees-tranquility-walk/

#trees #tranquility #walking #forest #klehmarboretum #gorockford #enjoyillinois
... See MoreSee Less

This is not our world with trees in it. It’s the world of trees, where humans have just arrived.    – Richard Powers

Whether we recognize it or forget it, we interact with trees every moment of our lives. Trees sustain us. On this twilight stroll through the forest, we will consider the relationship we have with trees, and honor those living beings that give us so, so much. And, we will reconnect with the prehistoric world that surrounds us to this day.

Join us for this LAST Tranquility Walk of the season!

Register here: https://klehm.org/in-honor-of-trees-tranquility-walk/

#trees #tranquility #walking #forest #klehmarboretum #gorockford #enjoyillinois
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