Hidden Lakes Gardens
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Discover an Outdoor Oasis at Hidden Lake Gardens in Tipton Michigan

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Located less than an hour southwest of Ann Arbor, Hidden Lake Gardens offers a peaceful, year-round escape into nature. Spread out across 755 acres, this botanical garden and arboretum is a hidden gem and beautiful outdoor oasis.

From its colorful and extensive collection of flora to its one-of-a-kind experiences to its miles of hiking trails, Hidden Lake Gardens appeals to every kind of nature enthusiast.

Hidden Lake Gardens-Tipton
Hidden Lake Gardens | photo via cornnugget

A Wonderful Escape into Nature

Nestled in Michigan’s Irish Hills, Hidden Lake Gardens — located at 6214 Monroe Road (M-50) in Tipton in Lenawee County — began as a nursery and private garden created by Henry Fee in 1926. The property was donated to Michigan State University in 1945 and later opened to the public — a financial endowment by Fee allows the property to continue developing. 

Even travelers who prefer indoor attractions will have a hard time looking away from the beautiful scenery around them. The grounds feature more than 10 miles of hiking trails, six miles of paved, one-way scenic drives, a picnic area, a conservatory, and more.

Visiting this place feels like discovering a magical secret garden. The beautifully maintained grounds and trails give you a feeling of peace and enchantment. The conservatory is a hidden gem with displays of bonsai, tropical and desert plants. Definitely a haven for nature lovers.

Elyse via Google

Hidden Lakes Gardens Canopy Walk
Hidden Lakes Gardens Canopy Walk | photo by Amanda Shaffer

A Unique Point of View

One of the newest additions to Hidden Lake Gardens is the Reach for the Canopy Walk. Opened in 2023, visitors are afforded a one-of-a-kind view of the forest where they can walk at tree level for up-close observation.

Residents and visitors alike can enjoy unique views of birds, insects, branches, and other wildlife from high up. The Sky Walk is built from Southern Yellow Pine and stands 65 feet off the ground at its highest point. The bridge covers 374 feet and is wheelchair accessible.

The Sue and John Gruel Nature Trail is the perfect way to reach the Sky Walk. The 1/3 mile trail is accessible to a wide range of visitors, including those using wheelchairs, strollers,  and walking aids to ensure everyone can enjoy this unique nature experience.

The new Canopy Walk is a must see. The suspension bridge is high up, but very well built & not scary. The drive-thru gardens are very well designed & the conservatory has some amazing cacti, bonsai, & other plants that make this place a great stop.

M. Guyer via Google.

Picture Perfect Displays of Plants

Nature enthusiasts don’t have to go far at Hidden Lake Gardens to find colorful displays of native and non-native plants and trees in both indoor and outdoor collections. Collections here include…

The Bonsai Courtyard

From late April to early November, visitors can come just outside the Conservatory to enjoy Hidden Lake’s bonsai collection, which includes trees that range from 40 to 100 years old. It offers a unique look at the work of bonsai artists and also the trees’ delicate interactions with nature.

Harper Collection of Dwarf and Rare Conifers

Conifer collector Justin C. Harper donated his unique collection of hundreds of conifers (including pines, hemlocks, sources, and other trees) to Hidden Lake Gardens in 1981. The conifers are also part of the property’s arboretum, which includes maples, oaks, lilacs, and other trees and shrubs. 

Conservatory

Hidden Lake Gardens’ conservatory has three different biomes with different climates — arid, temperate, and tropical — giving visitors a look at a vast, and spectacular collection of plantings, including cacti, orchids, gardenias, and succulents.

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Hidden Lakes Gardens | photo via honestly.skylar27

Hosta Hillside

Along the shore of Hidden Lake, the Hosta Hillside provides an ideal setting for hosta plants — more than 700 in fact. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of colors, sizes, and textures of hostas along with other intermingled plants, such as daffodils.

Demonstration Garden

As its name suggests, the demo garden is a spot where different kinds of plants are grouped for display. Here, visitors can enjoy displays of annuals and perennials, flowering trees, conifers, and more.

This was my first visit and I’m hooked, I’m going to become a member because I need access to this place as much as possible. I am in love with this place and it’s winter time, so I’m most certainly looking forward to spring, summer and fall here. I can tell by the trees that’s planted that every season is a magical experience. I felt nothing but good energy here. The conservatory had beautiful kept plants, you can tell the workers here love the environment, it shows in the care of everything here. This vibe was so incredible. I’ll be back again and again

Helena via Google

Hidden Lakes Gardens-Tipton
Hidden Lakes Gardens | photo via ritasflowyoga

Other Activities and Special Events at Hidden Lake Gardens

Hidden Lake Gardens visitors can explore more of the property on six miles of one-way scenic driving trails and more than 12 miles of hiking trails. Hikers and drivers alike can enjoy the site of songbirds, deer, turkey, and other wildlife and vibrant displays of the spring wildflowers and autumn foliage.

Hidden Lake also hosts several events during the year, offering visitors a more in-depth look into the flora found on the property. Special events include the Fall Foliage Festival, the Spring Flower Bulb Show, Functional Yoga, and the Art of Bonsai.

Hidden Lakes Gardens-Tipton-commissionerbehnke
Hidden Lakes Gardens | photo via commissionerbehnke

Escape into Nature at Hidden Lake Gardens

Whether you have the greenest of green thumbs or you’re simply looking to enjoy a scenic nature walk, Hidden Lake Gardens in Tipton Michigan is the perfect place to escape into nature. From its well-maintained gardens to its peaceful pathways to its one-of-a-kind canopy walk, this is one Michigan hidden gem you won’t want to miss.