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    Bender Park

    4.5 (16 reviews)

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    sunrise on the greatest lake
    Daniel P.

    it's so Wisconsin here that I'm seriously considering parking a high mileage Winnebago at the far end of the lot and settling in for the duration except for, well, you know... January. it's just mid-December now and it's already bug killing cold out... water at the shore is starting to freeze into fantastic shapes as it slaps the colder boulders around the boat launch. slightly sub-freezing with light winds out of the west and I'm the only one out here not dressed appropriately; even the deer are wearing hats! a half dozen cars in the lot buttoned up against the chill, people quietly watching the sun rise, looking ahead to the possibilities of a new day, a new year. meanwhile, the bluff hides the bustle of construction top side: fancy little houses too close together trying too hard to blend. meanwhile, life goes on at a slower pace down here as the sand gradually gives place to the water or the grass in turn.

    Bender from the top of the bluff, at the trailhead
    Jason K.

    Bender park keeps growing and expanding, and I like it more and more every time I visit. It is tucked away along the lake in Oak Creek, with a boat ramp, swimming area, large parking lot, and some hiking trails. It connects over to Lake Vista Park, which makes for some nice hiking options along the water or along the paved trail at the top of the hill. It is a great place to park, have a picnic, take a little hike, launch a boat, or have a beach day.

    Lisa A.

    If you can use your imagination and photoshop out that PowerPlant and smoke stack your in for some outstanding lake bluff hiking. You can of course drive all the way down to the beach front, but parking at the top gives you access to miles of trails...go northeast and you are in the middle of woods with several overlooks to the lake below. Go over the main road to an open sort of prairie area and continue on south and hike can get some great shots of the lakefront (again, minus the power plant) Great hiking opportunities abound!

    Ann H.

    I love this park. For a park outside the Milwaukee city limits, Bender Park really has some of the most awesome views from atop the bluffs. Seeing the sun rise across the lake, or set behind the bluffs is a not to be missed experience. The county has shored up the banks in this locale with some really huge boulders that are great places for kids to climb around, but if you stumble on them, can create some serious damage. I have the scar on my shin to show for a misstep on those slippery rocks. But for the available view, it's worth it. I like the area around the boat launch here, it's very serene despite the small beach and the boat slip area, both of which can be busy on those gorgeous spring, summer days. All the times I've been to Bender, it's been a comfortable-busy, never a crowd that has you afraid to turn around for fear you'll have to dodge elbows or flying beach furniture. Even the pavilion crowds are of a manageable size.

    Walking from the playground to the first shelter.
    Ashely V.

    What a great park nestled away in Oak Creek. This is my second time here this summer. The first time was for a beer garden at Lake Vista Park, which I think is connected to here? This time my hubby and I came for an evening hike along the lakefront. How beautiful everything is. The trails are nice and paved, the views of the lake are breath taking, and the playground and picnic shelters are really awesome. I can't wait to come back here!

    Wild flowed and rocks along the lake

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    9 years ago

    Great park, nicely tucked away from the main stream of life. Excellent boat launch along with several trails to walk in the evening.

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    Review Highlights - Bender Park

    water at the shore is starting to freeze into fantastic shapes as it slaps the colder boulders around the boat launch.

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    Cudahy Nature Preserve

    Cudahy Nature Preserve

    4.3
    (4 reviews)
    4.7 mi

    One of the wilder Milwaukee County Parks, you can really get lost to the world inside of this 40…read moreacres. A footpath system runs throughout both halves. One solid wood bridge links the north half, full of hickory, beech, and oak, to the back half, full of oak, maple, fallen elm, and ironwood. Many species of ground cover best seen in May, a real woodland treat. Bring binoculars if you have them, many birds. Occasional sound from Airport which has a run way adjacent to the east. Called Cudahy Woods by DNR and most others, Designated as a State Natural Area in 2002, this is truly one of the best of the best that's left. http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/lands/naturalareas/index.asp?sna=351 A bit hard to find, DNR can help clue you in, the large park sign at chained entry has fallen over and not yet been replaced. But is it worth it? Every bit of it.

    Cudahy Nature Preserve: This 42-acre forested area located near Milwaukee Mitchell International…read moreAirport was designated a State Natural Area in 2002. It's one of three such areas in Milwaukee County. I was unable to find an explanation, but it's odd that the preserve is in the city of Oak Creek and not the city of Cudahy. The area is comprised of a small parking lot, shelter, and two distinct woodlands separated by a stream. I included a picture of the map to help illustrate, but a single trail with two loops goes through each section of the forest. According to the information provided by the state online, the north section is a dry-mesic forest dominated by red oak, white oak, black cherry, and shagbark hickory trees. The south woods are moister and supports an old-growth forest containing sugar maple, American beech, red oak, white ash, and ironwood trees. It was a nice enough trail, but my first visit was in July and not only were the mosquitos bad (especially in the south woods), but I was continuously bombarded by flies like a piece of dog poop. Sorry for the crude analogy, but it's pretty accurate. I'll need to visit again in the fall when the colors are in full swing and the bugs are long dead. As I mentioned earlier, there is a tiny parking lot, but it currently has no parking spaces painted on the ground. I was not a fan of the narrow and blind turn into and out of the lot connecting it to College Avenue either. The Nature Preserve itself is nice, but this is a below average lot that needs some care. Overall, this is a short trail that those looking for somewhere new to explore might enjoy. Personally, I recommend driving five minutes further east to either Grant or Warnimont Parks on the shore of Lake Michigan.

    Photos
    Parking lot
    Parking lot
    Trail Map
    Trail Map
    Cudahy Nature Preserve

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    Franklin Woods Nature Center

    Franklin Woods Nature Center

    4.5
    (2 reviews)
    5.8 mi

    Franklin Woods' playground area has greatly improved since they put in Kayla's Playground- a…read morehandicap-friendly and large playground to suit many ages. This playground and nearby picnic area is much improved, and they've also doubled the size of the parking lot, which is nice, and the playground is really a popular attraction. I've been coming here to hike the woodland trail for years, and it's a nice secluded hike with one main trail and a short offshoot. It's dog friendly, and we like to hike it year-round. If hiking in the winter, wear boots, as the trail can get icy. It's a nice secluded trail that connects to the neighborhood nearby. The paved loop around the marsh is nice as well. I would like to see them bring back the interpretive nature sign by the woodland path that told you about the numbered trees in the trail. The signs that do remain look unused, and the one by the marsh is broken with a small beehive inside. Small improvements to the "nature center" part of this area would make it five stars.

    This park has greatly improved from what it was just a few years ago. It started with a tiny…read moreparking lot and trails through the woods. Then a playground and walking track was added. Now there is a big parking area and a handicap accessible playground- but my favorite part is still the original woodsy trails. From spring through fall(not a fan of winter walking) I have walked these woods, watching the birth, life and death of so many cool plants and foliage. In spring there is an impressive Trillium bloom that can be seen from the road. The trails are good for walking dogs too, but please clean up after them! The walking trail is very flat so anyone of any age can enjoy it. I can't speak for the playground as I'm a bit too old to partake, but the swings were always fun ;)

    Photos
    Franklin Woods Nature Center
    Snowy woods
    Snowy woods
    Winter wonderland

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    Winter wonderland

    Bender Park - parks - Updated August 2026

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