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 ;)

Whitnall Park- the Crown Jewel of the MKE County Park system? Perhaps! We've hiked here often, come…read moreto the seasonal Sprecher beer garden, brought the kids to the Wehr Nature Center and Boerner Botanical Garden. This place really has something for everyone. Frisbee golf? You got it. Golf golf? You got it. Sledding? You got it. XX Skiiing. BYO, but got that too! Hiking here is a pleasure, and there are so many trails and different types of landscapes. Blue Loop is a wooded wonderland. But is there a way around the Yellow Loop without having to walk on water? LMK! Can't wait to get back to Whitnall Park.

This is such an incredible park! They have a parking lot, picnic tables in shade, walking trails…read morearound the water, views of the Wehr nature Center, a golf course clubhouse, and even some seasonal things like sledding, Halloween decorations, etc. Expect to see a lot of hikers or bird watchers when it's nice!

A great place for mountains biking! (Us) beginners can find a loop according to our level. There…read moreare different loops for different levels of proficiency. Well kept, this park has everything a mountain biker could need. It even has a station to rinse your bike an the end of your experience. It is worth paying the fee at the entrance, and/or getting the annual pass. Can't wait to be back!

While this was a spacious park, I don't think it's worth the daily pass fee of $7. There is a good…read moreamount of parking available and a small pond for people/dogs to play in. Checked out some of the trails but they weren't too well maintained. We primarily stopped by for a beer garden and car show. If you don't pay the fee beforehand online, you'll receive something in the mail about a month later. Surprised they charge this much considering they don't put more into their park. I'd rather check out a different free park in the area, like Whitnall.

We recently visited Seven Bridges Trail, and omg, what a beautiful place to explore during fall!…read more The entire trail was surrounded by gorgeous fall colors, with trees turning different shades of yellow, orange, and red. It was such a peaceful and scenic place to spend some time outdoors. I really loved the wooden bridges, little streams, and beautiful forest views along the trail. Every corner looked so pretty, and we couldn't stop taking pictures! The trail also leads towards Lake Michigan, and the beach views were absolutely beautiful. The combination of colorful fall trees, peaceful water, sandy beach, and clear blue skies made the whole experience even better. There are so many beautiful spots for photography, especially during autumn. We spent a lovely time walking around, enjoying nature, and taking lots of pictures. If you're looking for a peaceful nature walk or a beautiful place to enjoy fall colors around Milwaukee, I would definitely recommend visiting Seven Bridges Trail. Such a beautiful hidden gem, and I would love to visit again!

We had never been to the park or really even in this area before and we needed some outdoor time…read more The trails are very will maintained and the beach is gorgeous. We could hear the surf crashing long before we found the stairs down the bluff. Next time we bring our chairs and do a picnic while watching the waves crash.

There are forested trails. There are trails through prairie lands. There's a 2 mile loop around the…read morepond. Kids play area has a log cabin and mud kitchen. Their Halloween hike is phenomenal. A guided walk along a jack o lantern lit path, with stops for woodland characters- owl, witch and much more. I really should keep that a secret though because it already sells out too fast. Also nearby: Boerner Botanical Garden (including Margie's garden)

Pretty spot with lots of critters and birds! The chipmunks are next-level, though! They will run…read moreright up to/past your feet. It's so close you will "yelp" out of surprise because they come so close. They have rentable rooms, my cousin rented one for her brother's memorial and I will say this is a very nice and soothing spot for a memorial with all of the nature surrounding. We took a little walk over to the pier and all of the lily pads are really pretty to look at. There was a small kids/learning area up front and some snake terrariums, too. I only explored the one section, I am sure there is much more to explore. This is a really nice option if you are looking for something to memorialize a loved one. They have bricks all over with little messages honoring people who have passed.

it's so Wisconsin here that I'm seriously considering parking a high mileage Winnebago at the far…read moreend 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 Park: Located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Oak Creek, this park offers some lovely…read moreviews of the lake and scenic trails. While it is a nice park, I prefer Lake Vista Park, which is located directly next door to the north. If I visit Bender Park in the evening, I've noted on multiple visits that certain drivers tend to speed recklessly through the parking lot. The other plus to Lake Vista is it does have a playground for kids, while Bender does not. Only other complaint is that the WE Energies plant to the south is a bit of an eyesore in an otherwise scenic location.

My son and I had a picnic there after getting some A+ Thai food from Sweet Basil, up the road…read more Then, we took a net and caught some frogs and freshwater lobsters and even a walking stick. We put all the animals back and hiked through the mosquito-ridden forest. It's a lovely place and unexpected right near the highway. We love it.

Beautiful walk through the woods! Great for pets. Trail is not well marked. Easy walk. Watch for…read morewildlife.

Lake Vista Park opened in summer 2020, and will in a few years be one of everyone's favorite MKE…read moreCounty Parks destinations, if it isn't their favorite already. With a big new public building, trails, playground, pathways and rest buildings, it's setting the bar high for new Parks! I came here for a launch party back in fall 2020, complete with a cover band, food trucks, a beer truck, and recently returned to do some hiking! True to its name, it has an incredible view of the Lake, and great trails leading to the Lake viewing area, as well as trails that go down towards the Lake, and also to Bender Park. For cross-park hiking, you can park at Lake Vista, at Bender, or in-between both parks. The bird blinds and rest houses are really unique, and there are lots of accessible trails. Since I parked along the Lakefront at Bender Park, I took the Lake trail back to Bender; which does involve some stealth climbing. They should 100% officially connect the two parks at Lake level. Still, Lake Vista Park is incredible, and bound to become one of the crown jewels in the MKE County Parks system.

First time visiting this park and it was for the 4th of July weekend…read more The organizers put on a really nice show, fitting for the scenery and location. This park, perfectly situated overlooking Lake Michigan is perched on a plot of that land gives great 360 degree views of the area. There is plenty of parking, a playground, an expansive green space perfect for picnics and a pavilion with restrooms.

Beautiful quiet park to escape the rush of the city. Well maintained trails and park. Fall colors…read moreare stunning!

We went to enjoy the pond and beach are. It's perfect for our smaller children who can swim and…read moreplay safely in the shallow water while also playing in the sand. The washrooms are clean and convenient along with plenty of picnic tables. The park is clean and well maintained, it was perfect for our small group.

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.