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Havenwoods State Forest

4.6 ★★★★★ 669 Google reviews · Running trail in Milwaukee, Wisconsin · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Havenwoods State Forest'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.

6 miScenicDog-friendlyRestroomsMile markersQuiet

State forest popular for viewing birds & wildlife, with serene trails & kids' nature programs.

What runners say about Havenwoods State Forest

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (669 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Lots of well maintained trails.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“Beautiful day to walk the trails,some are pet friendly so watch out for poo.”

🪧 well-marked 2 mentions

“The trails are well marked with well placed maps throughout.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“I was there at a rather quiet weekday time so nothing going on in the center.”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 3 mentions

“We hiked the orange trail which is dog friendly.”

As a biophile, finding this place is a godsend for life in this city. Came here on Thanksgiving for the first time and had such a good time just wandering with my pooch. Was even still a fair bit of green foliage this late in the year.

★★★★★ — Patch , Nov 2023

This place is such a marvelous and underrated gem!! Great for hiking, biking or just chilling around in the nature. And also, so close to the city!

★★★★★ — Shahed , Oct 2022

We had a wonderful time here on the trails. They were beautiful and a great spot for bird watchers. They also take wonderful care of the animals inside.

★★★★★ — Elliot , Aug 2021

Great quiet place in Milwaukee to enjoy nature. Nice hiking paths. Good for birding. Really nice environmental center.

★★★★★ — Kay , Jan 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 669 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.

🐕 Dog-friendly 5 mentions

“Beautiful day to walk the trails,some are pet friendly so watch out for poo.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 4 mentions

“Beautiful day to walk the trails,some are pet friendly so watch out for poo.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“I was there at a rather quiet weekday time so nothing going on in the center.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“Nice little nature center with staff, animals, bathrooms, kids activities.”

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📏 Mile markers 2 mentions

“The trails are well marked with well placed maps throughout.”

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🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+)

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Plan your run at Havenwoods State Forest

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • Distance6 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitednr.wisconsin.gov
  • Phone+1 414-527-0232
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 6 am–8 pm
Tuesday 6 am–8 pm
Wednesday 6 am–8 pm
Thursday 6 am–8 pm
Friday 6 am–8 pm
Saturday 6 am–8 pm
Sunday 6 am–8 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 Havenwoods State Forest

6141 N Hopkins St, Milwaukee, WI 53209

Get directions

Running trails near Milwaukee

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

McGovern Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 443 reviews

Milwaukee, WI

Green space with areas for softball, sand volleyball, football & basketball, plus a senior center.

under a mile away

Richard E. Maslowski Glendale Community Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 327 reviews

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Shaded

Squeaky-clean park for children featuring a ball field and playground, plus an outdoor beer garden.

1.5 miles away

Brown Deer Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 501 reviews

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LitScenicDog-friendly

Expansive green space features a golf course, boathouse, soccer & softball fields & a sledding hill.

2.2 miles away

Kletzsch Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 765 reviews

Glendale, WI

ShadedScenic

Relaxed park with soccer fields, trails and waterfalls, plus archery practice areas and fishing spots.

2.2 miles away

Lincoln Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 852 reviews

Glendale, WI

BoardwalkScenic

Riverfront park with a 9-hole golf course, swimming pool, soccer fields, play area & kayak launch.

2.7 miles away

Klode Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,062 reviews

Whitefish Bay, WI

Scenic

This recreation area on Whitefish Bay features a sandy shoreline, plus a playground & tennis courts.

3.5 miles away

All running trails in Milwaukee, 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.