Kalamazoo Nature Center

This place was better than I expected! The dome and Nature center are really awesome, especially if you have kids! It was a blast. A lot of educational things there and many activities to chose from. They also have the Delano Farm with a CSA and a «petting zoo» area for kids that has chickens, a pony, donkeys, rabbits, a pig, goats and a couple of other things. We will be back.

I just love this place! If you like to hike, the trails are simply gorgeous. My favorite time of the year to visit is in the early summer in June and July, although each season has its own special beauty. They just opened up several new trails on the north end in 2014. On the south end, I recommend the Bluebird Trail. If you like to photograph wildflowers, birds, and butterflies, you will not be disappointed!
If you plan on hiking, do be sure to bring along a backpack with water, snacks, and mosquito repellent. It can get rather warm out on the trails on a sunny day. They do have drinks and snacks for sale in the visitor center, but the selection is limited. The center has many interesting exhibits, and is well worth seeing. Check their web site for open hours.
I was told that you could see bald eagles down by the river, but they weren’t there during the times I visited. I understand that the best time to see them is in the early morning. Check with staff for sightings and recommendations.
Membership is very inexpensive and well worth it if you live in the area. If you buy a membership, you also receive reciprocal admittance to the Fernwood Botanic Gardens in Niles.
This is a great place to bring your kids to get them interested and exposed to the outdoors. They also have summer camp programs. Check with staff for details.

Very nice inside facilities and trails. Minerals in the gift shop very reasonably priced. Bass fish inside in tanks. Bought a bird call in gift shop too and brought in a few birds to chirp with us. Best to go in warm weather of course and was great in August. Will go again this summer. Had to go back to buy some more minerals in the meantime.

Not Mutch of a Nature center. Since thay decided to kill the deer off because thay we’re eating the veggies thay sell at there market I guess their profits are of more value than the nature to them

This place is only 5 miles from downtown Kalamazoo. And there’s a bike trail that goes right to it!

This is by far the coolest nature center I have ever visited.
First of all, the building is awesome. Clearly built in the sixties and lovingly maintained, it has an awesome domed tropical forest as the center with exhibits all around. It has acres of walking trails that are well maintained and interesting. The exhibits were really cool and locally tailored. They had one on bugs, one where you saw the world from the perspective of a rabbit, lots of different animal exhibits and a super cool room called the «Expedition Room» where you could check out materials to take on a hike with you.
It was $ 7 to get in an as an adult and that included access to everything from the exhibits to the trails. The staff was very friendly and helpful as well. They had a great gift shop as well. We got a few christmas gifts here (I know, already!!!) including an awesome calendar of lunar phases that was more like artwork. Everything is really cheap for a museum gift shop too!

Everyone I’ve talked with at the KNC embodies good, old fashioned integrity, remarkable every time I experience it. This seems to grow from a deep dedication to nature appreciation, conservation, and education. They manage to make visits to the center fun and restful, stimulating and restorative so the entire family can benefit time there. Whatever is going on it’s a panacea for us, and just a ten-​minute drive from downtown Kalamazoo. Now with the CSA program at DeLano Farms we can enjoy organic vegetables grown locally every week! We’re very fortunate the KNC has taken root in our area.

My first memory of the Kalamazoo Nature Center is when my mom took me there to drop off a baby bird that fell from its nest. The staff was very helpful and were happy to take the bird in. They help save and rehabilitate wild animals. Animals that are too injured to be released back into the wild are given a permanent home at the center. They also conduct research and provide tours to the public. If you don’t feel like a tour then spend your afternoon hiking the trails. While growing up I have rescued and delivered to the Nature Center everything from injured birds, rabbits, turtles, ducks, and mice. I feel so fortunate to have been able to grow up with such a wonderful institution!