Self-Guided Tours

Self-Guided Tours

Exploring Hoyt Arboretum’s 189 acres on our 12 miles of trail isn’t just a hike – it’s a worldwide tour of trees!

The Arboretum is open year-round for self-guided hikes, aided by placards indicating tree species. Interpretive signs along your walk offer more information about the various collections. Pick up a free map in the Visitor Center to find suggested routes or download the map online.

Pro tip for digital tours: load the plant database tours page on your phone ahead of time, when you have stable connection to wifi.


Holly Loop Tour

A slim branch of a plant with a cluster of long, oval leaves drooping downwards alternating with bright red berries hanging down from long stalks.
Ilex pedunculosa (longstalk holly)

Did you know that there are over 780 species of hollies (genus Ilex) distributed all over the world including parts of North America? We all know the shiny evergreen leaves and bright red berries of English holly (Ilex aquifolium), but the holly genus has so much more to offer! They vary greatly in form, leaf shape, leaf color, flower, and berry (drupe) color.

Explore the diversity of Hoyt Arboretum’s Holly Loop through the ‘Tours function in our Plant Database. Click HERE and select ‘Holly Loop Tour’ from the dropdown menu.


Living Fossils Tour

A close up of the underside of the branch tip of a ginkgo tree with several fan-shaped leaves and moss in the foreground, and a light sky dotted with out of focus leaves in the background
Ginkgo biloba

What are living fossils? Are they only those species that were thought to be extinct? Why do we often associate living fossils with dinosaurs, and where can I see some at Hoyt? Explore these special trees through the gymnosperm collections of Hoyt Arboretum.

Click here to take the tour, then select the Living Fossils Tour from the dropdown menu.


Street Tree Tour

a bright green dawn redwood with fresh spring leaves in the foreground with dark green, pointy conifers in the background, all framed by a bright blue sky and fluffy white clouds.
Metasequoia glyptostroboides (dawn redwood)

Did you know the City of Portland has approved lists of Street Trees and also a ton of resources to help you find the right one for you? We’re here to help in the selection process too. Hoyt Arboretum has many approved street trees in the collection. So come check out these mature street trees in this tour to help make your planting decisions!

Click here to take the tour and select Street Tree Tour from the dropdown menu.


Looking for a guided experience at Hoyt Arboretum? Learn more about our programs.

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