Dow Gardens & Whiting Forest: The Unexpected Michigan Destination Worth a Trip
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This Michigan Canopy Walk has You Playing in the Trees at Midland’s Dow Gardens
If you think Midland, Michigan, is just a city you pass through on your way somewhere else, you may want to change your plans.
About 90 minutes north of Lansing and roughly 30 minutes from Bay City, Midland is home to one of Michigan’s most unexpected outdoor attractions: a 1,400-foot canopy walk that carries you up to 40 feet above the forest floor.
That’s Dow Gardens and Whiting Forest, and the Canopy Walk is just one piece of the bigger experience.
Your admission opens up an entire 110-acre property where you can wander through beautifully designed gardens, cross distinctive bridges, explore a children’s garden, walk through a historic orchard and then head into Whiting Forest to experience the Canopy Walk high above the trees.
One admission gets you into the entire property, so you can spend the day moving from the gardens to the forest to the canopy walk without ever having to get back in the car.
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Where is Dow Gardens?
Dow Gardens is in Midland in the central part of the Lower Peninsula:
- 30 minutes from Bay City
- 30 minutes from Mount Pleasant
- 1 hour from Saginaw
- 1.5 hours from Lansing
- About 2 hours from Grand Rapids
That makes Dow Gardens an easy addition to a central Michigan road trip, but it’s also worth considering as the main destination for a day trip or overnight getaway.
Walk Above the Trees on the Whiting Forest Canopy Walk
The elevated walkway reaches up to 40 feet above the forest floor, giving you a completely different view of Whiting Forest. Along the way, there are viewing platforms, including a pond overlook, and three different sections of the walk to explore.
The Pond Arm takes you over the forest near a pond. The Spruce Arm includes a large cargo net where you can look down into the trees. The Orchard Arm reaches 40 feet above the ground and includes a glass-floor viewing platform.
The walkway has a gradual ramp and is designed for a wide range of ages and abilities. The entire property also has miles of paved, barrier-free pathways.
HOT TIP: Give yourself more time than you think you’ll need. It’s easy to walk the Canopy Walk in under an hour since it’s less than 2-miles out-and-back, but stopping at the overlooks and exploring the forest is part of the fun.
What to Expect at Dow Gardens
Don’t miss Dow Gardens! There are flowers, towering pines, streams, waterfalls, bridges, an orchard and the Children’s Garden, all connected by about three miles of paved, barrier-free pathways.
The fun is in wandering around and seeing what you find. One minute you’re strolling through the gardens, and the next you’re crossing a bridge, following a stream or heading into Whiting Forest toward the Canopy Walk.
And this isn’t a place you have to save for summer. Dow Gardens is designed to be enjoyed year-round, although the Canopy Walk and trails can be affected by winter weather.
The Children’s Garden is Worth a Look, Even Without Kids
The Children’s Garden is designed for kids, but it’s still a fun stop for adults. It’s colorful and creative, with water features, paths, plantings and spaces made for exploring.
For families, this is where kids can touch, climb, splash and explore instead of simply looking at the flowers. And for everyone else, it’s an interesting change of pace from the more formal gardens.
What’s So Special About Whiting Forest?
Whiting Forest isn’t just the backdrop for the Canopy Walk. The Whiting Forest has its own story, with wooded trails, ponds, a wildflower meadow and an orchard filled with more than 100 varieties of fruit trees.
One of the coolest details? There’s a hundred year-old “Mother Apple” tree still growing here.
You can wander through the forest, cross pedestrian bridges, peek into the orchard and follow trails along Snake Creek before or after heading up into the trees.
Know Before You Go
Enter the park through the Eastman Avenue Entrance: 1809 Eastman Ave, Midland, MI 48640
TICKETS & PRICING: One admission covers Dow Gardens, Whiting Forest and the Canopy Walk, so you don’t need separate tickets for each attraction.
Annual Pass: $30 per person
Adult daily: $15
Student (4-17): $5
Adult Students: $5 (with valid i.d.)
Child (3 & under): FREE
Purchase tickets online ahead of time
HOURS
Dow Gardens is open Tuesdays – Sundays. The Gardens are closed on Mondays.
FALL HOURS
September 8 – October 31: Tuesday – Sunday, 9 AM – 6:30 PM
WINTER HOURS
November 1 – February 28: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 AM – 4 PM
HOLIDAY HOURS
Labor Day (Monday, Sept 7): Open 9 AM – 8 PM
Christmas Eve (Wed, Dec 24): Open 10 AM – 12 PM
New Year’s Eve (Wed, Dec 31): Open 10 AM –12 PM
CLOSED Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years Day
Where to Stay Near Dow Gardens
If you’re driving in from another part of Michigan, consider staying overnight in Midland. Downtown puts you close to restaurants, the riverfront and other things to do, while several hotels offer an easy drive to Dow Gardens.
FAQs
How long does the Canopy Walk take at Dow Gardens?
The route is an out‑and‑back, 1.9‑mile experience through the forest and canopy, usually rated easy and doable in under an hour at a relaxed pace.
You could walk the Canopy Walk in under an hour, but give yourself a few hours if you want to explore the gardens, Whiting Forest and Canopy Walk without rushing.
If you’re visiting with kids, have mobility considerations or simply like stopping for photos and wandering, you’ll probably want even more time.
There’s also a café in Whiting Forest, making it easy to turn the visit into a longer outing.
Where can I eat at Dow Gardens?
You can grab a light meal or snack at the Whiting Forest Café, which is convenient if you’re planning to spend several hours exploring.
If you want to make a full day of your trip, head into Midland afterward. Downtown Midland has restaurants, coffee shops and places to grab a drink, making it easy to pair Dow Gardens with a meal and some time exploring the city.
Is Dow Gardens accessible?
There are approximately three miles of ADA-accessible hard-surface pathways throughout the gardens and forest, and the Canopy Walk is designed for visitors of all ages and abilities. Wheelchairs are also available to reserve in advance.
What should I wear when visiting Dow Gardens and the Canopy Walk?
Wear comfortable shoes for this outdoor experience with paved pathways plus natural-surface trails.
The Canopy Walk is open year-round, but winter weather can affect trail and walkway access. Dress for the conditions.
More Central Michigan Things To Do
Once you’ve explored Dow Gardens, there are plenty of reasons to stick around Midland.
The Tridge is one of Midland’s most recognizable landmarks, a three-legged wooden footbridge where the Tittabawassee and Chippewa Rivers meet. It connects to trails and parks and is an easy addition to a day in town.
Chippewa Nature Center is another great option if you want more time outdoors. With miles of trails through forests, wetlands and meadows, it pairs naturally with a visit to Dow Gardens.
And if you’re looking for more thrill-seeking high above the trees in Michigan, check out The Boyne Skybridge or the MSU Canopy Walk!
See you out there!
