Best Marshes In Milwaukee Near Me

4worldlovers: Discover Milwaukee's wild side on our network of soft trails. Nature trails are perfect for birding, wildlife watching, getting fresh air on your morning walk or simply finding some quiet space. Explore woodlands, prairie, beaches, and grassland areas throughout the county.

STAY ON DESIGNATED TRAILS! This protects the plants and wildlife in natural areas and helps you avoid poison ivy and ticks!


Protect the nature trails – NO bike riding! For biking, use the Oak Leaf Trail and the formally designated mountain-bike trails.

Note that only leashed dogs are allowed (unless noted), they must stay on the trails, and you must pick up their waste. NO DOGS are allowed in natural areas.

For the only off-leash opportunities in the Milwaukee County Parks, visit the Dog Parks.

Explore woodlands, prairie, beaches and grassland areas throughout the county by following trails marked with 'Forked Aster' signage. These trails are ideal for short, scenic hikes or on-leash dog walks. Trail segments in 30 parks range from 0.2 miles to 8 miles and are generally dirt, occasionally woodchipped or gravel. On dirt segments after a rain, expect to encounter some mud.

Wide-open vistas perched on top of steep bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan. Hiking trails wind through prairie grasslands, old orchards, and lush Beech woodlands. Great place to watch a sunrise or have a picnic.

This unique riverfront woodland park offers excellent displays of spring ephemeral wildflowers. The trail is rugged. The best access point is signed from the Oak Leaf Trail. While this segment is short, the trail is part of a continuous 8-mile trail loop, the Milwaukee River Greenway.


This small neighborhood park has both paved and unpaved trails that go through high quality woodlands (122 plant species) along one of the headwater streams of the Oak Creek watershed. This site provides a great opportunity to see migratory birds in spring and fall, and has some paved trails that meander through the woods.

The trail is short and flat as it winds through a small diverse woodland with many spring ephemeral wildflowers. This site provides a great opportunity to see migratory birds in spring and fall.

The trails provide a glimpse of what Milwaukee County would have looked like 200 years ago, with a diverse, mature woodland. A small stream separates the lowland hardwood forest from an old-growth beech forest. Dogs are not allowed.

The steep trails go from the top of the bluff down to the shoreline of Lake Michigan. High lake water levels have greatly shrunken the beach and make completing the circle path difficult. Trails through deep ravines with a beech and maple overstory lead to a small beach.

This long and flat trail system highlights a beautiful and diverse forest with a great spring wildflower bloom. With ephmeral wetlands and meandering streams, the trail may be wet or even flooded at times.

Totaling just two miles, Seven Bridges trail treats hikers to a unique ecological area with ravines lined with Lannon stone paths, azure views of Lake Michigan, abundant wildflowers, and shady woodlands. The trail features 10 bridges and many stairways, constructed by the WPA almost 100 years ago, leading to a secluded beach area. Closed in winter due to icy conditions and numerous unshoveled staircases.

Nestled at the western edge of the park is a small trail loop in a good quality woodland. Large maples, oaks, and basswoods tower above. Visit in mid-spring to see the blooming flowers and migrating warblers.

Hiking trails navigate the large woodland, and paved trails circle the lagoon, providing excellent birding opportunities and nature access for all abilities.

Comprised of a shallow lake, shrubland, upland and lowland forest, a marsh, and sedge meadow, this diverse habitat allows many uncommon wildlife species to thrive. A gravel trail encircles Mud Lake, and a soft trail lets visitors explore the western end of the park.

In the center of this regional park is a woodland with easy but earthern hiking trails. Visitors of all abilities can also enjoy a stroll on the paved trail around the lagoon to fish or to view waterfowl and large wading birds.

Although short, the trails are steep and rugged as they climb through wooded ravines. Breathtaking displays of wildflowers erupt in the Spring.