brenton arboretum

Not quite what I was expecting. Being called an "arboretum" I expected far more trees and gardens. It's still a pretty place, but there are no signs to point out varieties of plants or anything like that. The natural playscape is nice for the kids, but not worth a long drive if you're not in the area.

The Arboretum has provided a relaxing place full of wonderful scenery & wildlife. The hiking trails are wonderful & the kids love the play area. It brought out the creativity in the boys that built a fort out of the tree bark & sticks. This is a wonderful place for a picnic and a relaxing hike! Plan to return in the near future.

This quiet place is off the beaten path, but worth it! I love photographing landscapes and micro-landscapes, and this place keeps me busy for hours.

The Brenton Arboretum is one of the undiscovered treasures of central Iowa. Just 20 minutes from the Des Moines metro lies an unexpected pocket of beauty. Here, instead of flat cornfields, the land dips and folds around 140 acres planted with more than 2,600 trees and shrubs. It's a young arboretum, started in 1997, thus many of the trees are still young. Adirondack chairs are sited for the best views. Take time to hike the various trails or take the kids to the O'Brien Nature Play Area ... who needs electronic gadgets when you can really use your imagination? One of the things that is hard to describe is the sense of place. The Brenton family homesteaded part of this property in 1853 and the descendents established this quiet refuge as a permanent place for quiet enjoyment. Be prepared for a little gravel; the arboretum lies on a gravel road and the road through the arboretum is also unpaved.