Havenwoods State Forest: Milwaukee's urban wilderness

Havenwoods State Forest

Milwaukee's only state forest sits just 15 minutes from downtown — and it's completely free.

Havenwoods State Forest packs 237 acres of prairie, woodland, wetlands, and four ponds into the city's north side, offering families over six miles of easy, flat trails without ever leaving the metro area. What makes it remarkable isn't just its size or diversity of ecosystems, but its story: this land has been Native American hunting ground, farmland, a county prison, a World War II POW camp, a Cold War missile site, and a landfill before community activists fought to transform it into Wisconsin's first and only urban state forest.

Today it draws over 100,000 visitors annually, and every single one gets in free — no state park vehicle sticker required. For Milwaukee families seeking an accessible, educational, and genuinely wild outdoor experience, Havenwoods is one of the region's best-kept secrets.

From missile base to nature preserve

The most compelling feature of Havenwoods may be the ground beneath your feet. Before European settlement in 1836, the land was swampy lowland forest — maple, oak, ash, basswood — used as hunting grounds by Native Americans. German immigrant farming families like the Zautkes cleared the trees and drained the soil. In 1917, Milwaukee County opened a House of Correction on the property, where prisoners tended crops and built furniture. A 1939 inspector's report documented the kitchen canning 5,534 gallons of tomatoes and 1,100 gallons of ketchup in a single season.

The military chapter came next. In 1945, the U.S. Army seized the site as a disciplinary barracks, housing military prisoners and briefly POWs. Thirty-two buildings went up; their foundations remain buried underground today. Then, in 1956, the Army built a Nike Ajax anti-aircraft missile base — one of eight sites ringing Milwaukee to defend against Soviet bombers during the Cold War. The missiles became obsolete by 1958, and the Army abandoned the site by 1963.

What followed was the darkest period. The city used portions as a landfill from 1958 to 1970. Homeless families briefly occupied the vacant barracks. By 1974, the Army declared the land surplus, and 237 acres of crumbling buildings, underground tunnels, and wild grassland sat abandoned. Milwaukee Alderman Ted Stude held a naming contest; Custer High School student Lisbeth Sealy won with "Havenwoods." Environmentalist Cari Backes rallied the Friends of Havenwoods citizen group, and after years of advocacy against competing development proposals, the City of Milwaukee transferred ownership to the Wisconsin DNR in 1978. The forest was officially designated in 1980, and the Environmental Awareness Center opened in 1982. The large chronological history panels inside the nature center — complete with old photos and newspaper clippings — make the backstory tangible for kids and adults alike.

Six miles of easy trails built for families

Every trail at Havenwoods is classified as easy, with mostly flat terrain and minimal elevation gain. The system uses four color-coded loops totaling over six miles, plus named interpretive routes. Surfaces range from crushed limestone and asphalt (stroller- and wheelchair-friendly) to mowed grass and boardwalk sections.

The Orange Trail (~2.3 miles) is the main loop and the best starting point for families. It's mostly crushed limestone and passes through tallgrass prairie and hardwood forest before crossing a 120-foot pedestrian footbridge over Lincoln Creek — a feature kids love. Dogs on leashes (8 feet or shorter) are permitted on this trail. The Purple Trail (~2.0 miles) offers the most traditional forest experience, winding through hardwood stands, and is pet-free for a quieter atmosphere. The Blue Trail features a boardwalk spur leading to a pond-viewing platform — an ideal spot for spotting turtles, frogs, and waterfowl. The Green Trail completes the network through grassland habitat.

For a more structured experience, the People and the Land Trail (1.3 miles) is a self-guided interpretive route with a brochure available at the nature center — no pets allowed. The Trek Through Time Trail turns the hike into a geocaching adventure; pick up a booklet at the nature center and earn a collectible wooden geotoken. The Cross-Country Trail (2.7-mile outer loop) traces the full forest perimeter for those wanting maximum distance.

Roughly two miles of limestone and asphalt trail are accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. Local parent bloggers confirm that a double stroller is feasible on the main Orange Trail. Benches dot the trail system, and picnic tables sit near the parking lot and in the Urban Arboretum.

The nature center is where the magic happens

The Environmental Awareness Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., year-round (closed Sunday and Monday). Inside, families will find live "Animal Ambassadors" — snakes, turtles, and toads — on display, with scheduled animal feeding programs on Saturdays where kids watch a turtle eat or see a snake up close. The center houses seasonal wildlife exhibits, a nature library, a 75-seat auditorium, classrooms, a gift shop, and accessible restrooms. A giant mural of Earth by Milwaukee artist Reynaldo Hernandez hangs above the main door with the caption "Good planets are hard to find."

What sets the center apart is its free lending program. Families can borrow binoculars, field guides, GPS units, and backpacks filled with nature exploration tools and children's books — all at no charge. The "Take Smokey for a Hike" program lets kids carry a Smokey Bear stuffed animal and wear a ranger hat on the trail, with a special scavenger hunt activity book. The Wisconsin Explorer Booklet offers age-appropriate activities that earn kids a collectible patch upon completion. In winter, snowshoes are available to borrow free at the center (must be used on property). These programs remove every barrier — financial and logistical — for families wanting to explore nature.

Year-round programming

Havenwoods runs free nature programs for preschoolers, school-age children, families, and adults throughout the year. The programming calendar is surprisingly robust for a 237-acre urban forest:

• Second Saturday Bird Walks (monthly, 8:30–10:30 a.m.) provide informal guided birding for all skill levels

• Candlelight Hikes illuminate a 0.75-mile trail path — the Valentine's Day edition (February 14, 2026, 4:00–7:00 p.m.) is especially popular

• Guided History Hikes cover the site's layered past, from the House of Correction through the Nike missile base

• Creative Storytelling with Animal Ambassadors invites children to imagine life as a Havenwoods animal

• Family Friendly Forest Bathing Walks are led by certified nature therapy guides

Seasonal events anchor the calendar. Winter Fest features hot chocolate, s'mores, crafts, and snowshoeing. Winter Break MKE (late February) offers outdoor activities during deep winter when families most need them. The Spring Adventure Day during school break includes guided hikes, animal meet-and-greets, and a "Learn to Camp & S'mores" activity where kids practice setting up a tent. The Fall NatureFest has featured themes like "Snakes are Ssspectacular!" with live animal programs and adaptation stations. The Home and Habitat Fest (September, now in its fourth year) combines nature activities with community resources, live music, and drum circles.

The crown jewel for school groups is MOHEE — the Midwest Outdoor Heritage Education Expo, a free annual field trip for grades 4–7 held each May. Over 700 students rotate through 25+ activity stations run by organizations like Ducks Unlimited and the Zoological Society of Milwaukee, trying archery, fishing, kayaking, wildlife identification, and fire control. Transportation grants are available for schools, and outdoor wheelchairs ensure accessibility.

WINTER BREAK MKE

Winter Break MKE is the can't-miss late-winter event at Havenwoods. The 2026 edition takes place Saturday, February 28, from 12–3 p.m., and the lineup is genuinely impressive.

What: Havenwoods' annual late-winter outdoor festival packed with free activities for all ages

When: Saturday, February 28, 2026 | 12–3 p.m.

Where: Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N. Hopkins St., Milwaukee

Cost: Free with ticket reservation

Highlights: Dog sled demos with the Milwaukee Mushers (free rides if there's snow) … Free fat tire bike rentals from Wheel & Sprocket … Free snowshoe rentals fitted by DNR staff … Animal footprint scavenger hunt with plaster-cast tracks … Walking stick decorating and upcycled birdfeeder crafts with Ice Age Trail Alliance … Personalized typewriter poetry from Johnny Types Ink … Documentary screening of Breaking Trail (Emily Ford's historic Ice Age Trail winter thru-hike) … Live demos of beeswax candle-making and alpaca fiber weaving … Beekeeper talk with free honey samples … Bonfires with s'mores … Hot food from MKE Bento (dumplings, rice bowls, spicy noodles, vegan options)

Accessibility: All-terrain wheelchairs available through Access Ability Wisconsin — reserve a spot when you get your ticket or call (608) 886-9388

Pro tip: This event is designed to cure cabin fever. Dress in layers, bring the kids, and plan to stay the full three hours.

Wildlife thrives in five distinct ecosystems

Despite its urban setting, Havenwoods supports a surprising depth of biodiversity across five ecosystem types: hardwood forest, tallgrass prairie, wetlands, bottomland hardwoods along Lincoln Creek, and upland shrub habitat. The forest is listed on the Great Wisconsin Birding & Nature Trail and functions as an eBird hotspot with regular birder surveys.

Bird diversity is the headline. Families may spot Sandhill Cranes, Great Horned Owls (frequently seen near the kids' garden), Eastern Bluebirds, Cedar Waxwings, Wild Turkeys, and American Kestrels. The grasslands host increasingly rare species like Eastern Meadowlarks and Bobolinks. The ponds attract Blue-winged Teal, Pied-billed Grebes, and Sora rails. Notable rarities include Long-eared Owl and White-eyed Vireo.

Mammal sightings include white-tailed deer (common enough to be a management concern), coyotes, muskrats, mink, rabbits, and squirrels. The wetlands harbor Butler's garter snake, a Wisconsin species of special concern. Frogs chorus loudly at the ponds in spring and summer. The restored prairie and pollinator gardens — including a Naturalist Backyard planted in 2021 and expanded in 2023 — now buzz with native pollinators and butterflies, particularly from mid-July through August when wildflowers including orange coneflower and wild indigo reach peak bloom.

Almost nothing here is original wilderness. Every square foot was farmed, built upon, or filled in. The entire landscape represents ecological restoration — decades of replanting, invasive species management, and patient recovery. This itself is an extraordinary lesson for kids: damaged land can heal.

What to know before you go

Address: 6141 N. Hopkins St., Milwaukee, WI 53209. The entrance is at the intersection of Douglas Avenue and North Hopkins Street; drive up the hill to the parking lot and nature center.

Getting there: From downtown Milwaukee, head north on Sherman Boulevard (~15–20 minutes). From I-43, take the Good Hope Road or Silver Spring Drive exit west to Sherman Boulevard. MCTS Route 30 runs directly to the forest entrance — a bus stop sits in front of the property, making Havenwoods uniquely accessible for car-free families.

Hours: The forest and trails are open daily, 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., year-round — including weekends and holidays. The Environmental Awareness Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed Sunday and Monday). Plan visits during nature center hours to access restrooms, borrow equipment, and see the live animals.

Cost: Completely free. No entrance fee, no parking fee, no state park vehicle sticker required. All programs are free.

Parking: Free lot adjacent to the nature center. No fees.

Restrooms: Inside the Environmental Awareness Center only (accessible). No separate outdoor facilities, so time accordingly with young children.

What to bring: Water (no drinking fountains confirmed), sunscreen, insect repellent, and long pants. Watch for wild parsnip (causes chemical burns with sun exposure) and ticks — warning signs are posted on trails. Follow carry-in, carry-out rules as there are no trash cans in the forest. No fires or grills are permitted.

Best times to visit: Spring for migrating birds and wildflowers. Mid-July through August for peak prairie wildflower blooms and pollinators. Fall for foliage in the hardwood forest. Winter for candlelight hikes and snowshoeing. Weekdays are typically quieter than weekends.

Contact: Phone 414-527-0232 | Email DNRHavenwoods@wisconsin.gov | Web dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/havenwoods | Friends of Havenwoods at friendsofhavenwoods.org | Instagram @havenwoodsstateforest | Events posted on the Friends of Havenwoods Facebook page.

Major restoration is reshaping the future

Havenwoods is in the middle of a 237-acre Rehabilitation Project announced in 2024. The DNR held a public information meeting in August 2024 to outline the scope: prairie and wetland restoration, forest landscape expansion, invasive species control through prescribed burning and forestry mowing, wetland scraping to expand habitat, and transitioning over 70 acres toward diverse, resilient forest. The project is connected to the broader Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern cleanup under Great Lakes initiatives.

A new rain garden was planted near the nature center in spring 2025, funded by the Fund for Lake Michigan through the Natural Resources Foundation. The DNR now has a full-time educator for the first time in years — Frances Meyer, splitting time between Havenwoods and Lakeshore State Park. Invasive brush removal is underway across 47 mapped areas to create conditions for new tree seedling growth, with deer fencing and tree tubes protecting plantings. The 2025 Wisconsin State Park System 125th anniversary celebrations included events at Havenwoods, raising the forest's profile statewide.

Challenges remain. Decades of farming, landfill, and demolition left degraded, thin topsoil — pine trees planted in the early 1990s are noticeably stunted. Buckthorn and wild parsnip are aggressive invasive threats requiring ongoing management. But the trajectory is unmistakably positive, and visitors today are watching a genuine ecological transformation unfold in real time.

Conclusion

Havenwoods State Forest defies every expectation of what a nature experience inside a major city can be. It offers 237 acres of genuine wilderness, six miles of easy trails, a staffed nature center with live animals and free equipment lending, and year-round family programming — all at zero cost. The layered history embedded in the landscape gives it educational depth that manicured suburban parks simply cannot match. For Milwaukee families, particularly those on the north side, Havenwoods is not just a park to visit once — it's a place that rewards every return trip with a new season, a new bird, a new trail, or a new program. The ongoing restoration work means the forest is literally getting better with each passing year. Time your first visit to coincide with nature center hours (Tuesday through Saturday), borrow binoculars and a backpack, and let the kids lead the way.