On July 28, 2023, after much anticipation, the Treetop Trail at the Minnesota Zoo opened to the public. At 1.25 miles, it is believed to be the longest elevated pedestrian loop in the world.

The Minnesota Zoo is one of the largest in the country, covering almost 500 acres.
Theresa Kerri B/TripAdvisor
When it first opened, a monorail was included as part of the zoo's design to help visitors traverse its massive footprint.
John/Flickr
The monorail operated for nearly 30 years until it was decommissioned in 2013.
Since that time, the empty track has been a dominant feature in the zoo's landscape.
Ben Moore/Google Reviews

Related Stories

You Can Pick Your Own Bouquet Of Sunflowers At This Incredible Farm Hiding In Minnesota

You Can Pick Your Own Bouquet Of Sunflowers At This Incredible Farm Hiding In Minnesota

 The Train Ride Through The Minnesota Countryside That Shows Off Fall Foliage

The Train Ride Through The Minnesota Countryside That Shows Off Fall Foliage

 The Largest Pumpkin Patch In Minnesota Is A Must-Visit Day Trip This Fall

The Largest Pumpkin Patch In Minnesota Is A Must-Visit Day Trip This Fall
After several years of planning, the concept of turning the old monorail track into an elevated pedestrian walkway emerged.
Kelly Kohnke/Google Reviews
Plans were drawn and approved, and ground broke on the $37 million project in 2022.
The zoo's concept for the trail includes programming and events, such as information stations and yoga classes, at the wider areas along the boardwalk.
Courtesy of Minnesota Zoo, used with permission
Visitors to the treetop trail, shown here over the bison habitat, enjoy birds-eye views of the animal exhibits below.
Gideon Tope/Google Reviews
The trail is as high as 32 feet and passes through some of the zoo's most natural, undeveloped areas.
The Treetop Trail tracks many of the same exhibits as the ground-level Northern Trail. Pedestrians have views of animals ranging from moose and bison to Amur tigers and brown bears.
Minnesota Zoo
Take a look at this video from the Minnesota Zoo to see what you can expect from a Treetop Trail experience:

Minnesota Zoo's Treetop Trail from Minnesota Zoo on Vimeo.

I, for one, am pretty excited to hit the trail and see the zoo from a different perspective. I remember riding the monorail but was always a little disappointed that the views through the windows weren’t always clear and that I couldn’t linger when I wanted. It seems like the Treetop Trail should offer the best of both worlds: an elevated perspective with clear views and the time to enjoy them.

Do you plan to walk the Treetop Trail at the Minnesota Zoo? Let us know in the comments. (And don’t forget to bring a hat and sun protection!)

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Minnesota

Featured Addresses
Minnesota Zoo, Zoo Boulevard, Apple Valley, MN, USA