Robert O. Cook Memorial Arboretum

Athletic and adventurous pups will have a barking good time hiking the trails in the Robert O. Cook Memorial Arboretum! This 160-acre hidden gem in Janesville offers nearly 5 miles of wooded trails that are pawfect for hiking and snowshoeing with your furry buddy.

The Robert O. Cook Memorial Arboretum can be a little hard to find, but don't let that deter you from visiting. This pawsome site is definitely worth looking for! The arboretum is mostly composed of lush forest, with a wetland along the northern edge. Fido will surely enjoy taking in all the woofderful sights and sounds here!

Several marked trails meander throughout the arboretum, so you and Fido have multiple options when it comes to exploring the area. A portion of the 1,000-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail travels through the arboretum, starting at the parking lot off North Bluebird Trail. The Ice Age Trail is paved until you pass the reconstructed vintage log cabin; at this point, it becomes a woodland footpath that leads into the forest.

Aside from the Ice Age Trail, there are other unpaved trails that you and your pooch can follow. Many of these are steep in some places so they're not exactly beginner-friendly, but they're still manageable. Hikers are rewarded with beautiful views along Marsh Creek, as well as encounters with the abundant wildlife that live here.

The arboretum is home to several species of native trees, plants, birds, and other animals, so keep your eyes peeled during your hike! See if you can spot cerulean warblers and yellow-billed cuckoos flitting among the trees.

Be sure you have water, poop bags, and mosquito repellent before you and Fido embark on the trails in the Robert O. Cook Memorial Arboretum. Always keep your pooch on a leash and clean up after them to ensure a puptastic experience for all!