Mountain Top Arboretum, Botanical garden in Tannersville, Catskill Mountains, United States.
Mountain Top Arboretum is a botanical garden spanning 178 acres at 2,400 feet elevation in the Catskill Mountains, connecting gardens, meadows, and forests in one location. The site includes designed areas like West Meadow and East Meadow along with a woodland walk that passes through naturally grown sections.
The site began in 1977 when the Ahrens family started designing and planting a seven-acre area at the summit. What started as a private project at this mountain location gradually expanded into the larger public space that exists today.
The name refers to a collection of trees and plants brought together from different regions to introduce visitors to natural variety. People walk through areas designed to show how plants grow in different conditions found across the landscape.
The best time to visit is spring through fall, when most trails and areas are easily walkable and plants show different growth stages. Comfortable hiking shoes are wise since the terrain is hilly and some paths go through natural, less level ground.
Spruce Glen contains a large wild forest section with bogs, wetlands, and old-growth hemlock trees showing how the land looked before human changes. These untamed sections contrast sharply with the designed garden areas and give a sense of original mountain plant life.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
