Address
Directions
Take Highway 371 through Baxter to Excelsior Road (Mills Fleet Farm). Turn east and go 8/10 of a mile to Conservation Drive. Turn left (north), drive to the end of the road, and you are there.
Phone
Website
Run by
Independent non-profit organization
Date Established
Size
Cost
$10 – Ages 15+
$5 – Ages 2-14, Seniors (65+), Veterans
Members FREE
Peak Season
Peak season (notes)
- Mid to late summer for general trail exploration
- Spring to early summer for gardens and wildflowers
- Winter for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and ice skating
Region
Garden Type
Extras
- Hiking on over 12 miles of trails
- Cross-country skiing (19 km classic, 10 km skate, 5 km lighted night trails)
- Snowshoe rentals
- Sledding hill for children
- Forest ice skating trail
- Picnicking facilities
- Bird watching (designated Important Bird Area)
- Free parking on grounds
- Restrooms
- Nature playscape for children
- Bike skills park with beginner, intermediate, advanced, tot track, and adaptive trails
Comments
Education. Recreation. Conservation.
Open dawn to dusk, seven days a week, the Northland Arboretum provides a peaceful, year-round escape for residents and visitors in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Whether you’re sitting in the gazebo, lingering on the bridge, strolling a woodland path, or gliding through snowy trails on skis, the Arb offers space to slow down and reconnect with nature.
For more than 50 years, the Northland Arboretum has been a cherished community destination. This nature-focused nonprofit fosters meaningful connections between people, nature, and one another through conservation, education, and outdoor recreation.
Designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA), the Arboretum is home to abundant wildlife and vibrant songbird populations, making it a favorite destination for birders, photographers, families, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Spring, Summer & Fall Experiences:
- Scenic hiking trails and volunteer-maintained gardens
- Nature playscape for children
- Outdoor classroom programs and workshops
- Community events including the Free Arbor Day Celebration and Haunted Trail
Bike skills park with beginner, intermediate, advanced, tot track, and adaptive trails
Winter Adventures:
- 19 km of classic track-set skiing, 10 km skate-ski trails, 5 km lighted night skiing
- Snowshoeing and sledding for families
- Minnesota’s first forest ice skating trail
- Trails groomed by Brainerd Nordic Ski Club; ski pass and parking fee required
A Community Resource:
The Arboretum also protects habitats, engages the community, and educates visitors to ensure these natural spaces remain vibrant and accessible. Visitors can support the Arboretum through membership or donations, helping sustain trails, programs, gardens, and conservation efforts.
For more information, upcoming events, programs, and ways to get involved, visit www.northlandarb.org or follow the Northland Arboretum on social media.