1
Get equipped.
Check in, get fitted with the required climbing equipment and prepare for orientation.
Aerial Forest • Rochester, MI
Climb, zip and find your challenge in the trees.
TreeRunner Rochester's Aerial Forest combines treetop obstacles, bridges, swinging elements and ziplines into a self-guided outdoor adventure on the Oakland University campus.
The Aerial Experience
Start where you're comfortable. Keep going when you're ready.
TreeRunner is not one obstacle course that everyone completes the same way. Climbers choose from eligible trails with different combinations of height, movement, obstacles and ziplines.
Ages 7+
Main Aerial Forest participation begins at age 7.
2 or 3 Hours
Choose the climbing experience that fits your day.
Multiple Levels
Work from introductory trails toward harder challenges.
Ziplines + Obstacles
Every visit can combine climbing, crossing and flying.
A Ropes Course in the Trees
This is adventure you move through yourself.
After completing equipment fitting and orientation, climbers enter the Aerial Forest and work through eligible trails at their own pace.
Each trail is made up of elevated elements connecting platforms throughout the forest. Depending on the route, you may cross suspended bridges, balance across moving obstacles, climb through unusual elements and ride ziplines from platform to platform.
You do not have to be an experienced climber to start. The course is designed so eligible guests can begin on more approachable trails, learn the system and decide whether they want to work toward something harder.
How the Aerial Forest Works
Learn the system. Choose a trail. Build from there.
2
Complete orientation.
Learn how the climbing system works and practice the movements you'll use once you're in the Aerial Forest.
3
Start climbing.
Choose an eligible trail and work through obstacles and ziplines from platform to platform.
4
Find your next challenge.
Repeat a favorite route or progress toward more demanding trails as your visit continues.
5
Make the climb yours.
You do not need to complete every trail. Choose the experience that fits your comfort level and goals.
6
Keep an eye on the clock.
Harder trails may begin closing before the park itself closes, so tackle priority trails earlier in your visit.
What You'll Find
More than just ziplines.
The fun comes from the mix. Rochester's Aerial Forest combines climbing elements, balance challenges, moving obstacles and ziplines throughout the course.
Ziplines
Suspended Bridges
Swinging Platforms
Climbing Elements
Balance Challenges
Elevated Platforms
Moving Obstacles
Forest Crossings
Choose Your Challenge
The higher the level, the bigger the challenge.
Trail access depends on age and other participation requirements. Eligible climbers can work from introductory routes toward trails with more demanding obstacles and greater physical challenge.
Yellow
Start Here
Introductory trails are a good place to get comfortable with the equipment, movement and course system before progressing farther.
Green
Build Confidence
Green trails add another level of movement and challenge as climbers become more comfortable navigating the course.
Blue
Step It Up
Blue trails bring more demanding combinations of height, balance and obstacle difficulty for eligible climbers ready for the next step.
Black
Advanced
Rochester's most challenging routes are intended for eligible climbers looking for the strongest physical and technical challenge in the park.
Rochester Highlight
Looking for ziplines? Don't miss Golden Grizzly.
Golden Grizzly is one of Rochester's signature aerial experiences and includes the park's approximately 250-foot zipline along with a route that puts extra emphasis on flying through the trees.
If ziplining is one of the biggest reasons you're coming to TreeRunner, make this one of the trails you ask about during your visit.
Plan ahead for harder trails.
Advanced trails can begin closing as much as one hour before the park closes so climbers have enough time to complete them before the operating day ends.
Choose Your Climbing Time
Starter Climb
Classic Climb
Two hours or three? Start with the kind of visit you want.
Rochester offers two main Aerial Forest climbing lengths. The longer option gives you more time to settle into the experience and work toward additional trails.
Up to 2 hours.
A shorter climbing experience for guests who want plenty of time in the Aerial Forest without making it the entire day.
Up to 3 hours.
More time to explore the course, repeat favorite trails and work toward additional challenges. Classic also unlocks Black-trail access and Bypass Quiz eligibility where applicable.
Before You Climb
A little planning makes the first visit easier.
Check participation requirements, current operating hours and arrival information before heading to TreeRunner Rochester.
Age Requirements
Main Aerial Forest participation begins at age 7, with trail access depending on age and other participation requirements.
Check Requirements →Prepare for Your Visit
Review waiver information, footwear, clothing, gloves, weather guidance and arrival details before you come.
Know Before You Go →Hours & Pricing
Rochester's schedule changes throughout the season. Check current hours and available climbing options.
View Hours & Pricing →Location & Directions
Find TreeRunner Rochester at 7553 Meadow Brook Road on the Oakland University campus.
Get Directions →More Activities
Rochester also offers Putt Forest, Bounce Forest, Gem Mining and seasonal experiences.
Explore All Activities →Under 60 lbs?
Climbers under 60 lbs may climb with an adult. Review current participation requirements before booking if you're planning a visit with a smaller climber.
Review Requirements →
Aerial Forest FAQs
What first-time climbers usually want to know.
Is TreeRunner Rochester a zipline park or a ropes course?
Both. TreeRunner Rochester is an aerial adventure park that combines elevated ropes-course style obstacles with ziplines throughout the forest. Different trails emphasize different types of movement and challenge.
Do I need climbing experience?
No. Each climbing visit begins with equipment fitting and orientation. Eligible first-time climbers can start on introductory trails and decide how far they want to progress.
How old do you have to be to climb?
The main Aerial Forest begins at age 7. Age and other participation requirements affect which trails a climber can access, so review the current Age Requirements page before booking.
How long can I climb?
Rochester's standard Aerial Forest experiences include 2-hour Starter and 3-hour Classic options. Check the Hours & Pricing page for current availability and exact ticket details.
Are there ziplines on every trail?
Trail layouts vary. Some routes place more emphasis on obstacles and crossings, while others feature more ziplining. Golden Grizzly is a Rochester highlight for guests especially interested in ziplines.
What should I wear?
Wear closed-toe, closed-heel athletic-style footwear and clothing that allows comfortable movement with a climbing harness. Gloves are required for Aerial Forest climbing. Review Prepare for Your Visit before arriving.
Do the hardest trails stay open until park closing?
Not always. Harder trails can begin closing as much as one hour before the park closes so climbers have enough time to finish. If an advanced trail is important to you, plan to reach it earlier in your visit.
TreeRunner Rochester
Your next challenge is waiting in the trees.
Climb obstacles, cross suspended elements and zip through the forest at TreeRunner Rochester on the Oakland University campus.