Exploring Hoyt Arboretum’s 189 acres on our 12 miles of trail isn’t just a hike – it’s a worldwide tour of trees!
The Arboretum is open year-round for self-guided hikes, aided by placards indicating tree species. Interpretive signs along your walk offer more information about the various collections. Pick up a free map in the Visitor Center to find suggested routes or download the map online.
Pro tip for digital tours: load the plant database tours page on your phone ahead of time, when you have stable connection to wifi.
Trees of the Overlook Trail
Discover the diverse and beautiful trees along the Overlook Trail, one of Hoyt Arboretum’s fully paved trails. Beginning at the far end of the Visitor Center parking lot, this route is a great option for visitors with strollers or mobility devices. As you follow the gently sloping path toward the lower parking lot (just uphill from the zoo), you’ll encounter a wide range of trees, from towering conifers to flowering and broadleaf species, as well as our ash collection, shrubs, and perennials. Along the way, enjoy sweeping views of the Arboretum and beyond.
Explore the Trees of the Overlook Trail through the “Tours” function in our Plant Database. Click HERE and select ‘Trees of the Overlook Trail’ from the dropdown menu.
Spring Blossoms
Find the best spring blossoms at Hoyt Arboretum amid the broadleaf trees on the Arboretum’s south slope. Favorites include the flowering plums and cherries, as well as Hoyt Arboretum’s nationally-accredited magnolia collection. Extend your visit by exploring the blooms found in the maple and dogwood collections and across the Arboretum’s sunny southern slope. Spring blossoms typically extend over a long season in the Pacific Northwest, and peak bloom time at Hoyt Arboretum is usually in mid-April.
Looking for a guided experience at Hoyt Arboretum? Learn more about our programs.