Best Nature Parks In Milwaukee Near Me

4worldlovers: The natural resources of Shorewood - the scenic, wooded banks of the Milwaukee River and the bluffs and shoreline of Lake Michigan - are ideal settings for parks. Across the span of the village between these two geographic features are more than thirteen acres of village owned park land providing three major and two neighborhood parks, as well as a nature preserve. In addition, most of the 50 acres of Milwaukee county's Estabrook Park lies within the Village of Shorewood.

While the Village of Shorewood does not reserve its park space, Village events have priority and users should refer to the Village's web calendar for a schedule of these before planning private events. All parks are open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that no grilling, tents, or sound amplification equipment is permitted in Shorewood parks. Parks hours are: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Named for William J. Hubbard, a former village Board President, this park occupies almost 5 acres of terraced, wooded terrain on the east bank of the Milwaukee River. Early in the village's history, this riverside site was home to a resort and a series of amusement parks. Today, visitors access the park through a pedestrian tunnel running under the Oak Leaf Recreation Trail. Upon entering the park, guests are transported to a north woods river retreat.

Within the woods at the north end of the park stands the charming and rustic Hubbard Park Lodge. The building, constructed as a WPA project by the FDR administration, is home to Hubbard Park Lodge Restaurant (414-332-4207). The lodge is a popular spot for wedding receptions, offers a Friday fish fry and Sunday brunch, and operates a beer garden.

This scenic 5-acre park at the head of East Capitol Drive (formerly Atwater Road) offers breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. The park is home to the annual Memorial Day celebration, a summer Shorewood Concert Band series, the July 4th fireworks and another Shorewood institution - the annual Shorewood Men's Club Chicken BBQ, which officially opens Atwater Beach's 800 feet of sandy shoreline for the season each June. Beach hours are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Shorewood's River Park is the place for the recreation enthusiast. The village's newest park, River Park is home field for Shorewood's youth baseball and soccer organizations. Cheer on your favorite kickers or watch America's pastime - Shorewood little league style - at beautiful Spector Field.

To use Spector Field, please contact Shorewood Little League or Shorewood Kickers for reservations.

Newly renovated, this pocket park at the intersection of N. Oakland Avenue and E. Edgewood Avenue is the perfect spot for catching a bit of sun or people watching.

Please view the draft of the updated Parks Plan (PDF) or see our collection of plans, studies, and reports for more information.

4worldlovers: Forked Aster Hiking Trail System Cudahy Nature Preserve 501 E. College Ave., Oak Creek, WI • Trails Contact: (414) 257-6521

Leave no trace. • Stay on designated trails. • “Pack it in. Pack it out.” Collecting is strictly prohibited.

Cudahy Nature Preserve is an outstanding example of the hardwood forests that once covered most of Milwaukee County prior to European settlement. This diverse woodland includes a small stream separating the lowland hardwood forest from an old-growth beech forest. Trails traverse the site, providing hikers with a glimpse of what the County would have looked like 200 years ago. The SNA is an eBird hotspot. See what has been observed here at eBird.org/ebird/wi/hotspots and submit your observations at eBird.org.

“Cudahy Woods” State Natural Area (SNA) Designated in 2002 SNAs protect outstanding examples of native natural communities harboring natural features essen- tially unaltered by humans or those areas that have substantially re- covered from disturbance.

To protect the hiking trails, bike riding is allowed only on the Oak Leaf Trail and the formally designated Mountain Bike Trails. For locations, visit countyparks.com

4worldlovers:
A hands-on nature center that over 12,000 children attend each year with their schools and families.