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Bender Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 698 Google reviews · Running trail in Oak Creek, Wisconsin · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Bender Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ScenicDog-friendlyRestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

Dog-friendly park near Lake Michigan offering a sandy beach, hiking trails and picnics.

What runners say about Bender Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (698 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 9 mentions

“Absolutely beautiful, quiet, lovely place to relax.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“Absolutely beautiful, quiet, lovely place to relax.”

Amazing views of Lake Michigan! You can walk along the lake or venture up the hill thru the trees and enjoy amazing views overlooking the lake. Along my hike I found shelters that had garbage cans, a picnic table and chairs. I will definitely be back to explore more of the area.

★★★★★ — Geoffrey , Nov 2023

Was great time here. Interesting beach, if I had my swim suit I would have gone in all the way. Ended up doing some photos and explored on the trails. Would definitely recomend for families.

★★★★★ — Eric , Aug 2021

Really cool place to hike. There’s trails out in the woods and a nice beach area! The views were great! It’s always beautiful on Lake Michigan! The snack place has a really cute area too.

★★★★★ — Sandro , Jul 2025

Always love coming here, either to hike the dogs on a path nearby or walk then down by the lake

★★★★★ — Shawn , Jul 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 698 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 19 mentions

“Absolutely beautiful, quiet, lovely place to relax.”

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🚻 Restrooms 4 mentions

“Swimming , picnic area, fishing , bathrooms .”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“Absolutely beautiful, quiet, lovely place to relax.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 3 mentions

“Always love coming here, either to hike the dogs on a path nearby or walk then down by the lake”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

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Plan your run at Bender Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitecounty.milwaukee.gov
  • Phone+1 414-762-1550

Hours

Monday 6 am–10 pm
Tuesday 6 am–10 pm
Wednesday 6 am–10 pm
Thursday 6 am–10 pm
Friday 6 am–10 pm
Saturday 6 am–10 pm
Sunday 6 am–10 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Bender Park

4503 E Ryan Rd, Oak Creek, WI 53154

Get directions

Running trails near Oak Creek

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Lake Vista Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 527 reviews

Oak Creek, WI

ShadedScenic

Lakeside park with a pier, bike trails, a pavilion, a playground and plenty of seating.

under a mile away

Fitzsimmons Walking Trails

4.7 ★★★★★ 26 reviews

Oak Creek, WI

ScenicDog-friendly

under a mile away

Oakwood Cliff And Trails

4.8 ★★★★★ 40 reviews

Oak Creek, WI

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

1.0 miles away

Grant Park Beach House

4.8 ★★★★★ 114 reviews

South Milwaukee, WI

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Park with a beach, food, a playground, and volleyball leagues, plus views of nature.

2.6 miles away

Abendschein Community Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 476 reviews

Oak Creek, WI

MixedDog-friendly

Local park featuring a playground, baseball field, disc-golf course, wooded trails & skate facility.

3.2 miles away

Oak Creek Parkway Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 106 reviews

Oak Creek, WI

Dog-friendly

Play area with swings and a slide, plus a hill popular for sledding.

3.2 miles away

All running trails in Oak Creek, WI →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.