Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
169 reviews
Excellent
113
Very good
39
Average
10
Poor
3
Terrible
4
Jeannie Christensen
Manton, MI508 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Our first visit was... interesting but that is solely on us. We were looking for an outdoor activity and weren't quite prepared. It was $7 an adult to enter, $6 age 55 up. We were given a map for trails and directed to the parking area and visitor center. Easy to navigate from lot to Center, offering ramp and steps. The dome area is slated for renovations soon. There's a children area and a rotating screen displayed coming events, camps, and a small gift shop inside, and a deck w seating outside. Re the trails: TRUST the difficulty ratings of the trails. We chose a more difficult route and missed a trail marker (or a few), we took a wrong turn and ended up a bit lost so it took longer than expected. Thankful for the benches! Will go again, but will be better prepared... and better watch the trail markings!
Written April 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris L
Niles, MI764 contributions
Oct 2020
We were blessed with a beautiful fall day to get introduced to this wonderful site. A large variety of trails (would recommend #6) and the trails are well maintained and even the ones classified as difficult can be hiked with a bit of determination. The visitor center is also worth visiting, especially if you have children with you. The gift shop is quite good, especially the selection of books.
Do considered visiting both sides of the center. The other side is more rustic, but one section along the wetlands has magnificent hardwood trees that reach to the sky.
Only recommendation is that you watch the map carefully as sometimes it seems the signage along the trails don't match exactly with the map. Bring a compass to help.
There is an admission, but the price is well worth the experience you'll discover.
Do considered visiting both sides of the center. The other side is more rustic, but one section along the wetlands has magnificent hardwood trees that reach to the sky.
Only recommendation is that you watch the map carefully as sometimes it seems the signage along the trails don't match exactly with the map. Bring a compass to help.
There is an admission, but the price is well worth the experience you'll discover.
Written October 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Have Camera, Will Travel
South Bend, IN3,808 contributions
Aug 2020
I have been meaning to get to the Kalamazoo Nature Center for years now and I finally was in the area to see family and stopped in for a few hours to do some hiking. The young lady at the entrance circled a few of her favorite hikes since I had not been before, which was nice of her.
I headed into the Nature Center first. You have to answer a few questions before entering. Once inside, some things were shut down, but there were some that you could check out.
I was there to hike though, so I first did the Beech Maple Trail (#6). It winds down along a creek and is very peaceful. Mind the poison ivy though, there is a bunch of it just off the trail in places. I then turned off to the Raptor Ridge Trail (#9), which started with a long uphill climb. It took me to the Bluebird Trail (#10), which is what I really wanted to do. It's a 2.7 mile loop according to the trail map. It's up and down hills, across meadows, through the woods, and past an old gravel pit. It was hot and buggy, but I loved it. There are a few overlooks along the ridge to stop for the views. Once I was through with the loop, I finished the Raptor loop and then the Beech Maple loop back to the Nature Center.
I take a lot of pictures when out hiking and I ended up with 300 or so. The Beech trail creek and the Bluebird valley and overlooks were very nice. There is a creek overlook on the Raptor trail too. I really enjoyed the afternoon there.
I headed into the Nature Center first. You have to answer a few questions before entering. Once inside, some things were shut down, but there were some that you could check out.
I was there to hike though, so I first did the Beech Maple Trail (#6). It winds down along a creek and is very peaceful. Mind the poison ivy though, there is a bunch of it just off the trail in places. I then turned off to the Raptor Ridge Trail (#9), which started with a long uphill climb. It took me to the Bluebird Trail (#10), which is what I really wanted to do. It's a 2.7 mile loop according to the trail map. It's up and down hills, across meadows, through the woods, and past an old gravel pit. It was hot and buggy, but I loved it. There are a few overlooks along the ridge to stop for the views. Once I was through with the loop, I finished the Raptor loop and then the Beech Maple loop back to the Nature Center.
I take a lot of pictures when out hiking and I ended up with 300 or so. The Beech trail creek and the Bluebird valley and overlooks were very nice. There is a creek overlook on the Raptor trail too. I really enjoyed the afternoon there.
Written August 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MelissaWP
Shorewood, IL520 contributions
Oct 2021
We decided to stop here on a cool fall Saturday afternoon on our way home after visiting family in MI the previous evening. There were only a few other cars in the parking lot and a few other people we encountered during our 90-minute visit. We used to reside in Ottawa, IL where there are two state parks nearby in Utica, IL that we visited often and this beautiful place reminded us of them. We leisurely walked a few trails that were covered in newly fallen leaves while we basked in the cool fall air filled with leaves falling from the sky all around us and heard the glorious sounds of nature such as the running water and singing birds. There were various times we just stopped to look and listen and take it all in. We could only describe our experience here as truly tranquil. We will be back.
Written October 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bobx77
Florida2,399 contributions
Aug 2022
I read in an ad brochure about this place.
So I checked it out on their website. Nothing about an entrance fee, but about a fern valley trail. I decided to go there = because I love fern.
So I drove 13 miles to get there.
Arrived I realized, that there is an admission fee: $ 7 for nature? Come on…
But I was keen to see some fern = so I just payed.
Long story short:
It was very hard to find the beginning of the trails. Maybe they should have more signs = especially at the parking lot, where everyone starts!
And to my disappointment I only saw fern on one place at this fern valley trail.
(Even on that trail I missed some signs = indicating I’m on the right trail.
I was very disappointed and drove off frustrated.
So I checked it out on their website. Nothing about an entrance fee, but about a fern valley trail. I decided to go there = because I love fern.
So I drove 13 miles to get there.
Arrived I realized, that there is an admission fee: $ 7 for nature? Come on…
But I was keen to see some fern = so I just payed.
Long story short:
It was very hard to find the beginning of the trails. Maybe they should have more signs = especially at the parking lot, where everyone starts!
And to my disappointment I only saw fern on one place at this fern valley trail.
(Even on that trail I missed some signs = indicating I’m on the right trail.
I was very disappointed and drove off frustrated.
Written August 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Corey S
Perrysburg, OH21 contributions
Sep 2024 • Family
Our 17 month old loved our afternoon here. We arrived in the area that morning and wanted some outside time. He loved the trails and the Center itself with a couple turtles that were a big hit. Was some nice family time!
Written September 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paradise8196
Kalamazoo, MI1 contribution
The Nature Center has so much to see and do. There is the Delano Homestead, which is a re-creation of a 19th century working farm. In the main Nature Center building there is a greenhouse, a rainforest room, gift shop, classrooms, animal rehab, and other natural exhibits. Outside there are hiking trails, a butterfly house, native plant gardens, and a formal garden.
In the spring there is maple syrup making; in the fall a native plant sale. Anytime of year you'll see animals rehabilitating in pens. I saw an opossum and petted it. It was kinda cute, had a little pink nose. I never thought they were cute before as I caught them in my car headlight beam right before they were annihilated. But up close it was nice.
In the spring there is maple syrup making; in the fall a native plant sale. Anytime of year you'll see animals rehabilitating in pens. I saw an opossum and petted it. It was kinda cute, had a little pink nose. I never thought they were cute before as I caught them in my car headlight beam right before they were annihilated. But up close it was nice.
Written September 9, 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kzlady68
Ann Arbor, MI2 contributions
The staff was so rude, from the lady in the gift shop to the lady at the information desk. The day my family went, the gift shop was closed for inventory. There was a tiny, little sign on the door which was not noticiable saying it was closed. Because we didnt see it, my family walked in looking to buy something to drink. The lady started yelling at us very rudely saying "didnt you see the sign, it's closed"!!! If the gift shop was closed, she should have had the door shut. I then went to the information desk to ask where something was located and the lady behind the desk acted like she was doing me a favor. I guess she was too busy doing her bead work. Must be nice to go to a job everday and get paid for doing your hobby. She was too busy NOT working to take time to help me. The trails at the nature center are boring, you can see the same thing by taking a walk in your own yard. We went down to the barn and there was a horse, a goat and a chicken, that was it, three animals. The butterfly house had maybe six butterflies total. Went into then hut where they tag birds for migration, and no one was there, although all the equipment was turned on, lights were on, etc.. The main building had about the best display; the indoor rainforest. Everything else was boring. I thought my family would be there all day. We were there about 2 hours and it was 2 hours too long. It has to be the most boring nature center I've ever been to, and the rudest staff (that's 0if you can find them).
Written September 14, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gardendweller42
Strongsville OH2 contributions
My husband and I live in Ohio and love to hike and travel. We have been to literally dozens of nature centers, parks, gardens all over the east part of the country, from Pennsylvania to Florida. We were excited to go see what Kalamazoo Nature Center had to offer, especially as it was billed as "voted best nature center in America by its peers." We were amazingly disappointed! The several "acres of arboretum" turned out to be one picnic area with a wilted, weed filled garden that looked sadly neglected. The "butterfly house" had not one butterfly, nor any information why this was so. The trails were poorly marked and several unmarked paths crossed them that could not be found on the map. Trails split off so you could not tell which direction you were heading in. Out buildings were found that were on the trail, but not on the map, nor labeled. Trails were unkempt and overgrown, even the steps, and area around the nature center itself were not cared for. The center itself was out-dated, but the rainforest and displays were very nice, The gift shop was small, and for the most part, not well presented and unimaginative. We did see campers and camp counselors who seemed to be having a great time. The whole ambience was of a once great nature center that has fallen into disrepair and now functions as a summer camp. The worst part? We paid six bucks each to get in!!!!! We have been to MANY, many nicer, better kept up, more lovely parks and nature centers that are FREE! Rocky River in Ohio comes to mind, all the parks in Lansing, the Raptor center in North Carolina (which does charge), pretty much all that we have been to. If the staff is unable to take care of the center the way it needs to be cared for, they need to change the way they advertise it, stop charging admission, and admit that it is nothing more than a local camp.
Written July 7, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Citizentreker
Michigan2 contributions
I've visited many nature centers in this region and I went to the Kalamazoo center in mid-October. Even as the native flowers had dried up and arboretum leaves were falling, I found this center extremely informative and the staff couldn't have been more helpful. The setting for the center is incredible in some type of special land formation filled with large trees, a prairie and even a barnyard in the summer. One mother that I saw with two small children couldn't wait to scamper down their favorite trail and I heard them talk about seeing the birds later. I got to see bird banding going on in an easily accessible area. They had a very helpful outdoor grid in the arboretum that allowed me to identify the many trees that have been donated and planted throughout the years. The interpretive center displayed a living rain forest with a walkway so I could spiral down into it. The native fish tanks and other displays were interesting and I saw a school group enjoying the various stations. They had a very unique art gallery of extremely high qulaity photographic art for sale very reasonably priced that I have never seen elsewhere. They said they change the artists and media frequently. I peeked into the classrooms that were filled with all sorts of hands-on materials for students to use and I wished I'd been to a place like this when I was a kid. To me, the Kalamzoo center and the staff I talked to seemed to demonstrate exactly the way that science should be taught.
Written October 30, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dogs are not permitted on Nature Center property.
Written March 11, 2018
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