A group of incoming freshmen tour the MSU campus as part of the Academic Orientation Program.
Photo by Kurt Stepnitz, University Relations
The beauty of the MSU campus changes with the four seasons.
MSU's mascot, Sparty, at Spartan Stadium. Find out why it's great to Be a Spartan!
Photo by Kurt Stepnitz, University Relations
Summers allow a slower pace and plenty of ways to escape the heat. Trees line the banks of the Red Cedar River, offering shade to people and ducks alike.
Autumn is the best time to tour campus as colors change among the thousands of different trees and shrubs, framing campus landmarks such as the Sparty Statue and Beaumont Tower in fall hues.
In winter, snow shrouds the roofs of historic buildings and ice forms on the banks of the Red Cedar River. During the holidays decorative light displays illuminate the residence halls with ornate snowflakes, candles, garlands, and carolers. Another holiday tradition is assembling the annual poinsettia tree at the greenhouse conservatory in the Plant and Soil Sciences Building.
In the spring campus turns green again and the flowers in the W.J. Beal Botanical Gardens flaunt their best colors. This five-acre display garden also serves as an outdoor laboratory that is home to more than 5,000 different kinds of plants.
Learn More
Horticultural Demonstration Gardens
Overview index to MSU's living laboratories...
W. J. Beal Botanical Garden
Nation's oldest teaching garden, collections, directions...
Michigan 4H Children's Garden
For families to experience the science & literature of plants...
MSU Herbarium
Preserved & labeled plant specimens, collections, loans, exchanges...
Clarence E. Lewis Landscape Arboretum
Mature trees, collections, seasonal displays, plant walk...
Botany and Plant Pathology Live Plant Collection
Conservatory of tropical & subtropical plants, succulents, ferns, orchids...
Hidden Lake Gardens
Public gardens & conservatory, labeled trees, flowers, shrubs, trails, picnic area...
Campus Woody Plant Collection
Campus-wide arboretum, 19,000 specimens, 7,800 species trees, shrubs, vines...
MSU Bug House
Displays, programs, tours, over 1 million species represented...
Entomology Museum, Albert J. Cook Arthropod Research Collection
Michigan & Great Lakes region insects, spiders, ticks, mites, and other arthropods...
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