Minnesota Zoo
Treetop Trail

Supporting Smarter Visitor Experiences at the Minnesota Zoo Treetop Trail

The 1.25-mile Treetop Trail is the world’s longest elevated pedestrian loop, taking guests up to 32 feet above the ground as it sends them on an immersive journey amidst the lush canopy of Minnesota’s native forests. Guests have year-round access to hundreds of acres of hardwood forest, ponds, and marshes … all within the confines of the esteemed Minnesota Zoo.

True North (a PMY Company) provided technology design and consulting for this remarkable project.

Integrating with the zoo’s original monorail track, which was retired in 2013, the Treetop Trail is a marvel of engineering and a testament to the zoo’s commitment to innovation. It spans a significant portion of the zoo’s wooded areas, offering new perspectives of the surroundings and the diverse wildlife that call Minnesota home, including tigers, moose, and bison. It also provides photographers and bird watchers unparalleled vantage points to capture stunning images and observe native bird species in their natural habitat.

Constructed with the utmost regard for safety and sustainability, the trail features secure, sturdy walkways and signage that guides visitors through the different strata of the forest ecosystem. It’s an educational journey that encourages curiosity and fosters a deeper understanding of the vibrant life that thrives in the forest canopy.

True North provided design and consulting for the following:

• Structured cabling, including a fiber ring in conduit mounted beneath the entire trail
• Exterior-rated data cabinets around the trail to serve cameras, PA, AV, and OFOI wireless access points
• Access control in one of the zoo buildings
• AV systems, including carts for a wireless microphone system that zoo employees can use when educating guests about various zoo animals
• Landscape speakers
• PA system, including pole-mounted speakers around the trail
• Subwoofer to play Bison sounds at the Bison landing
• Video surveillance system, including pole-mounted cameras above the trail and deck-mounted cameras below the trail