HomeWisconsinMilwaukee › McGovern Park

McGovern Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 443 Google reviews · Running trail in Milwaukee, Wisconsin · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from McGovern 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.

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

What runners say about McGovern Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (443 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“Well maintained grounds, nice areas for gatherings, just wish there were other parking areas for area 3”

There's not much to do in this ghetto not much nature but McGovern Park offered a brief touristy kind of feeling early in the morning on a small walk with my doggy

★★★★☆ — Darryl , Sep 2022

I visit McGovern Park, part of Milwaukee County's Park System. Located on the North West side of Milwaukee, you will find some short trails around the lagoon and through a small wooded area on the west end of the lagoon. They have outside basketball courts and tennis.

★★★★★ — Wlliam , Apr 2018

Very big and nice park. You can tell they're changing it for the best. Had a playground area and a basketball area. Has a lot of grass area as well for kids to run and play.

★★★★★ — Celia , Apr 2026

Nice park, Basketball hoops, football area, lots of people fishing in the lagoon, and great pathways for walking. Fairly clean. Great for families. Picnic areas available.

★★★★☆ — Nanette , May 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 443 reviews →

Plan your run at McGovern 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.
  • Websitecounty.milwaukee.gov
  • Phone(414) 461-0839

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 McGovern Park

5400 N 51st Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53218

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.

Havenwoods State Forest

4.6 ★★★★★ 669 reviews

Milwaukee, WI

6 miScenicDog-friendly

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

under a mile away

Richard E. Maslowski Glendale Community Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 327 reviews

Glendale, WI

Shaded

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

1.8 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.

2.4 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.

2.7 miles away

Brown Deer Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 501 reviews

Milwaukee, WI

LitScenicDog-friendly

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

3.0 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.

3.6 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.