Slayton Arboretum

Slayton Arboretum is a botanical garden spanning 48 acres beside the Hillsdale College campus, with nature trails, two ponds, and a waterfall system throughout the grounds. Stone gazebos and a children's garden are distributed across the property alongside wooded areas for walking and exploration.

George and Mrs. Slayton donated the initial 14 acres to Hillsdale College in 1922, with the first plantings beginning in 1924 under Professor Bertram Barber's direction. The grounds were gradually expanded and developed with additional structures and garden areas over the following decades.

Visitors walk through gardens that showcase native plants and seasonal displays, offering a space where college students and locals experience nature together. The place functions as a community gathering point connected to the college's mission to engage people with the natural world.

The grounds are walkable with flat paths through various garden sections, though some areas feature stairs and trails with changes in elevation. Visitors should dress for changing weather and wear comfortable shoes, as ground conditions vary with the season.

The site was created on a former gravel pit, which created distinctive elevation changes and topography that could not be found elsewhere. This unusual foundation allowed different plant communities to be established at varying heights throughout the grounds.