Havenwoods State Forest

Havenwoods is an unexpected oasis in the city. At 9:30 on a Friday morning, we had the place all to ourselves. (minus the workers.) Walking along one of the side trails, I felt like we’d driven miles and miles away from home. It’s incredible. The trails aren’t paved with concrete, but the fine, compact gravel worked well for the jogging stroller I was using that day.

I’ve only been to Havenwoods once, but this place makes me feel all weirdly nostalgic. The main gravel path and the close proximity to the train tracks remind me, for some reason, of being a little kid and heading to my grandma’s house out in the middle of nowhere.
Maybe it’s that the rolling prairies imply the hills near where I grew back. Maybe it’s because the occasional whistling of a train or the click-​clack of wheels passing over the tracks call back to a time when that’s what I would hear while I drifted off to sleep. Maybe it’s because the stream which passes through the park reminds me of the secret «thinkin’ spot» of my adolescent years – a small creek that past through a neighbor’s property which was accessible which a walk down a field lane. Maybe the creaky wooden bridge with the hornets nest nestled in the trestle makes me think of the dilapidated infrastructure of my native Columbia County.
Anywho…
Strictly as an arboretum, I hesitate to say it compares favorably to some of the others in the area. It’s not bad, so much as it’s not terribly varied and most of the trails are nothing more than places where they’ve knocked down the tall growth with a lawnmower. It’s easy to get turned around, but there are maps posted at many trail intersections. If you get tired, there are benches dotting the entire park and you’re never too far from one.
This park does have one thing on many of the others in the area: as far as wildlife goes, it’s easier to spot wild amphibians, reptiles, birds, and butterflies here than at just about any other natural area in Milwaukee County. They just seemed so much more active here than at some of the other places in town.
When I went, there were maybe two other groups using the trails. This place was dead, and that’s just the way I like it. I barely bumped into anyone.
If you haven’t explored the natural areas in Milwaukee, this is a good option. I wouldn’t say it’d be my first suggestion – I’m partial to Wehr and the Urban Ecology Center – but this place is another solid addition to Milwaukee’s natural gems.

Dilemma time: You are a hard core city slicker, but you want to go for a hike, in a real wood like setting. What do you do? Well if you are in the great city of Milwaukee, you my friend can get in you car and drive into the middle of the urban climate and find Havenwood National Forest. Right smack dab in the middle of busy roads, apartment complexes and businesses is a small oasis of tranquil woods and wetlands that doesn’t require more than 15 minutes to reach from any part of the city.
The main hiking trail is crushed limestone paved, approximately 2.5 miles making this a perfect trail to walk for almost anyone. Smaller adjunct trails of grass are available to explore as well. Red winged black birds, monarch butterflies and finches swirled around us as we walked. The air was crisp and clean despite being so close to the city. Lots of trees, wildflowers and prairie grasses dotted the vast and verdant landscape. A fricken Disney princess could live in her pre-​prince charming here. Flanked by old railroad tracks to the south that BEG to be followed ala Stand by Me. A beautiful brook runs throughout. There are nice benches along the paths to sit, rest and observe.
There are community gardens onsite. A section is for the UW Heritage Garden and the veggies grown there are harvested and donated to local food pantries. Also onsite is a Visitors Center with bathrooms and informational pamphlets. Another great detail is that although they are a State Forest, they are no parking fees unlike almost every other.
This is truly a gem and I’d be willing to bet there aren’t many metropolises in the country that have a National Forest planted in the center. Just another reason to love Milwaukee.