Treetop Trail to Take Minnesota Zoo to New Heights

Courtesy of the MN Zoo

Guests at the Minnesota Zoo will be able to reach new heights when Treetop Trail, the world’s longest elevated pedestrian loop, holds its grand opening on July 28. The 1.25-mile Treetop Trail will bring guests up to 32 feet above the ground and provide them with an immersive and accessible naturistic journey.

The opening date of the zoo’s new pathway to nature appropriately coincides with World Nature Conservation Day. As a worldwide leader in wildlife conservation, the Minnesota Zoo created the Treetop Trail to give guests year-round access to hundreds of acres of hardwood forest, ponds and marshes, and the diverse wildlife that call Minnesota home. Treetop Trail will provide new perspectives on many zoo animals, including tigers, moose and bison, as well as a bird’s-eye-view for bird watchers during each of Minnesota’s four seasons.

The Minnesota Zoo opened 45 years ago in 1978 with a mission to connect people, animals and the natural world to save wildlife. The Treetop Trail will reinforce the zoo’s reputation as a trusted nature destination and is an evolution of the role that zoos play around the globe.

“The Treetop Trail marks a new chapter for the Minnesota Zoo,” shares Minnesota Zoo Director and Foundation President John Frawley. “As we look ahead to the zoo’s next 45 years, the Treetop Trail is a major step in furthering connections to nature and animals in an accessible and immersive way.”

Integrating into the Zoo’s original monorail track which was retired in 2013, the Treetop Trail is the ultimate reuse construction project. The zoo contracted with award-winning Snow Kreilich Architects; engineering firm Buro Happold (known for its work on the High Line in New York City); and construction partner PCL. Together, they have been committed to minimizing disruptions to the zoo’s animals and guests before, during and after construction.

The entrance to the Treetop Trail will feature the zoo’s new animal ambassador habitat where guests will be greeted by several species native to Minnesota, including the Treetop Trail ambassador—a North American porcupine named Quillber.

Planning for the Minnesota Zoo Treetop Trail began in June 2018 and a ceremonial groundbreaking was held in April 2022. “Thanks to the full support from our boards, legislative and government champions, as well as the philanthropic community, we have secured $39 million in public and private partnership to support this transformational project,” states Frawley.

The Minnesota Zoo expresses profound gratitude to the following for their support of the Treetop Trail: State of Minnesota, K.A.H.R. Foundation, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Target, Best Buy Foundation, Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation, and hundreds of individual donors.

Location: 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley. For more information, visit MNZoo.org/TreeTopTrail.