Home › Wisconsin › Franklin › Whitnall Park
Whitnall Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,799 Google reviews · Running trail in Franklin, Wisconsin · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Whitnall 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.
Wooded park offering a nature center with tours, botanical gardens, a golf course & walking trails.
What runners say about Whitnall Park
“It does get very busy during the evening when they are flowering, but it's so beautiful and worth it every time.”
Wow, incredible walking trail. Just be aware that there are no pets allowed (service animals are ok). No jogging allowed. No fishing allowed. There are multiple paths to take throughout. Lots of wildlife. Deer, squirrels, chipmunks, beavers, birds, frogs, etc.
Whitnall Park Pond trails. This was beautiful! Free entrance and free parking in the lot right before the golf course. It was 90 degrees this day, but a beautiful breeze. It was very humid in some spots where the trees crowded in. Several different trail options, we did the trail around the pond.
I used to live a block away from Whitnall Park and I took my children there often to hike and play on the jungle gym. I returned some 25 years later and found the park to be equally beautiful and entertaining. It’s been well maintained.
I went to see China Lights. It was outstanding. You can walk through it in about 30 minutes or so. But you should walk through it at dusk then again at dark. I recommend getting the groupon so you can enter the exhibit 30 minutes sooner. If walk during the day light you can see the garden as well.
Trail conditions & character
“It does get very busy during the evening when they are flowering, but it's so beautiful and worth it every time.”
“Went to see the China lights displays if you missed seeing this, don't miss it next year!”
Plan your run at Whitnall 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.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitecounty.milwaukee.gov
- Phone+1 414-425-7303
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 |
Running trails near Franklin
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Whitnall Park Waterfall
4.5 ★★★★★ 13 reviews
Wehr Nature Center
4.7 ★★★★★ 223 reviews
Hiking and birding spot dotted with wildflowers, plus a waterfall and trails around a lake.
Mangan Woods
5 ★★★★★ 6 reviews
Root River Parkway South
4 ★★★★☆ 1 reviews
Access Trail
3.5 ★★★★☆ 2 reviews