Whitnall Park

We went to see the China Lights exhibit at Boerner Botanical Gardens on 10/20/24. It was even better than last year. Whitnall Park is the perfect place to host this. It's our second year coming and we'll definitely be back!!

I'm a hobbyist photographer and I'm always looking for beautiful and interesting places to photograph. This park isn't far from my place so needless to say, it's visited frequently. I've practiced my nature and my portrait photography here. There are many places that are worth it. Trails are simple but be cautious, the initial hill going up and down isn't ideal during winter. I struggle personally as I have spinal issues. So if you have balance issues or any issues with stumbling or falling, take someone with you to hold on to. If you fall, you can slide down with someone at least to be there to make sure you're alright. For the most part I believe it's dog friendly. I've seen plenty when I go. There is one very long hiking path that goes around the small lake I believe it is. Plenty of spots to enjoy a good view and every so often a bench to rest on. Plenty of geese during the summer and fall to watch. Just be careful. The moms aren't particularly friendly despite the abundance of people that can be around during peak times. So be respectful of their space as well.

A natural oasis and true treasure in the greater Milwaukee area. I go there 4-5 times weekly, especially during the warmer months.

Great trails and the volunteers were just fantastic. A hidden gem.

The China Lights Festival was gorgeous! Be aware...there were lines for the restroom. Parking for the China Lights Festival at Boerner Botanical Gardens was chaotic. Allow yourself extra time...chances are you'll be parking in a relatively remote lot.(We parked in the Beer Garden lot, and took the free shuttle to the event and back to the lot afterward) There were2 separate shuttles running to the event between different parking lots ...be sure to clarify with the driver where a particular shuttle is headed. We didn't know there were two, and accidently took the wrong one initially.

It's a fantastic location for photo shoots—we’ve taken pictures and celebrated our National Day here.

This is a fun experience every year. It clearly takes a lot of time for them to set up these lights.

I go to enjoy nature what Jesus has created and spend time with him in peace taking pictures of his masterpiece. Nobody paints a picture quite like God.🥰🤴🎨🖼️

Beautiful short hikes, most are around a mile in length on generally level terrain. This is a little gem

Big beautiful public park featuring the Botanical Gardens. Great area for easy hikes, good disc golf course. It's really a four season park, if you dress warmly enough it is beautiful in winter. Lush in summer, but maybe most attractive in Spring and Fall. One of the better beer gardens in summer. The lake and waterfall are worth the search.

Whitnall Park- the Crown Jewel of the MKE County Park system? Perhaps! We've hiked here often, come to the seasonal Sprecher beer garden, brought the kids to the Wehr Nature Center and Boerner Botanical Garden. This place really has something for everyone. Frisbee golf? You got it. Golf golf? You got it. Sledding? You got it. XX Skiiing. BYO, but got that too! Hiking here is a pleasure, and there are so many trails and different types of landscapes. Blue Loop is a wooded wonderland. But is there a way around the Yellow Loop without having to walk on water? LMK! Can't wait to get back to Whitnall Park.

Great park with lovely flowers and forrest. Not too many signs around. My family had a hard time finding the waterfall. I printed off a map from the website that did not help much. The signs were only for the nature center, beer garden, and botanical gardens. But, once we found the waterfall using my gps, it was pretty cool. We saw a few butterflies flying around that was also pretty cool.

My favorite MKE County Park! Whitnall Park has been called the crown Jewel of MKE County parks and for good reasons. It's the largest park in the county with over 625 acres. It's so big and beautiful it puts some WI state parks to shame. It's home to Boerner Botanical Gardens, Wehr Nature Center, 18 holes of golf, archery, hiking, cross country skiing and snow shoe trails, multiple picnic areas, and part of the Root River Parkway, which includes a disc golf course, bicycling, more picnic areas, two volleyball courts and a seasonal beer garden! There's even an "unofficial" driving range for golfers to practice. There's tons of wildlife! Turkey, Hawks, owls, herons, cranes, snapping turtles, coyotes, and so much more. If you're there shortly before dusk you will see plenty of deer. It has almost everything! Except: tennis, baseball diamonds, and swimming pools, and I'm thankful for that. There's plenty of other parks for those activities. My wife and I are fortunate to live nearby and we take the opportunity of it's scenic shortcut. It's a beautiful park year round, but especially when the leaves change colors or after a snowfall.

Beautiful place to do a little outdoor exploring. The waterfall is very close. We went a little off trail and saw some "no trespassing" signs. That part of it was a little muddy which was good for the boys. The trails are marked by color, so easy for one to follow. This was our second time here and still more to see on our next visit!

Big big fan. This park is expansive and well maintained. AND it's near my home! Nestled within is a golf course, archery range, playgrounds and picnic areas. You can also find the Wehr nature center and Boerner Botanical Garden and Ross Lodge. Whitnall extends seamlessly into the Root River Parkway making for several miles of trails and walking paths. There is easy access as well to the Oak Leaf Trail that is a whole different beast to explore. Around the park are several overlook parking areas for scenic views and roads wide enough for street parking. Please be mindful of the signs as some areas are not safe for parking on the side of the road. Leashed dogs are allowed in the park and they should also have an up to date license and rabies tag. Though I have never been stopped to check, I do feel it's safer and common sense to have your dogs protected in case of theft or random wild animal bites(not sure how many rabid chipmunks are out there but still..) I know I clean up after my dog, but it seems that most others do as well which is nice. I've very rarely- in summer months anyway- encountered piles of dog poop on the trails or roadside. Seriously though, no one wants to step in dog poo so keep up the great work people! Wildlife is abundant here so driving slow is a must. It's a great place to get close enough for watching deer graze and there are birds aplenty for all those looking to check off that birding list. Sometimes I see folks lying in the grass below a tree just reading or taking a nap, and that is the true beauty of Whitnall Park. No matter how many people are walking or driving by, it's still quiet enough to feel that you are miles away from the bustle of HWY 100.

What doesn't Whitnall Park have? They have the county's Botanical Gardens, a golf course, a sledding hill, Wehr Nature Center, multiple playgrounds, several picnic areas and miles of trails. Who can ask for more than that? The park is absolutely huge - so much so that I'm often lost when driving through it. Even on a busy summer day, you can find a quiet corner somewhere in it's almost 627 acres. Rentals are available for picnic sites - some are just tables, some are covered pavilion structures with fireplaces. Even though Whitnall Park is in Milwaukee county and surrounded by people on all sides, there is quite a large deer population in the park. We'll often drive through when in the area and rarely fail to spot at least one. A recent drive near dusk had the deer out in droves - we saw at least 20 so drive carefully!!

Amazing garden to visit. Boerner Botanical is well worth the time and money if you like natural landscapes and flowers. The park itself is large too. There is an 18 hole golf course which is maintained nicely by the county. Very affordable if you have a local card as a resident. There are many hiking paths and ponds to walk around as well.

This really is a nice park. There is a playground, a botanical garden, a nature center with several hiking trails, a golf course which doubles as a cross country ski area in winter, a grassy hill overlooking a small lake which turns into a sledding hill in winter, an archery range, a lodge that can be rented out by small groups and, I believe, an area for flying radio controlled airplanes. There are also several designated picnic areas and at least one shelter. All manner of wildlife live in this park, from owls and hawks to deer and opossums. Sometimes you can see a Great Blue Heron at one of the ponds. There isn't a pool, but the park abuts the root river parkway where there are two more shelters and the Root River Disc Golf Course. There are also two more playgrounds in the parkway. 53/2014

What an amazing place! I've been going here since I was a little kid with my Grandpa. Now I've been able to share this treasure with my kids! I live nearby so I hike here a couple times a week. Tonight was a beautiful cool breezy night, so I walked there and had a late night hike in the dark. You'll get to know the trails so well you can just let your eyes adjust to the dark and feel the trail in front of you. There are so many trails and options. Playgrounds, golf course, waterfall, streams, prairies, woods. So many picnic areas and pavilions. It's a place of beauty and serenity. Check out both the wehr nature center as well as the botanical gardens. You won't regret it.

What a great park and I haven't even seen it all yet! Play frisbee golf here, seriously leave your job, take an hour break and go throw a disc here. One of my favorite courses in Milwaukee and super convenient to my house. One of those holes is in a tree, like literally IN A TREE. ;) Also there are a lot of deer who just like to chill here no big deal.

Uhm who doesn't love Whitnall Park? It is one of the biggest and most beautiful parks in our area! There are so many trails to walk on! There is a golf course, waterfall, Mountain Bike single track trail, botanical garden, disc golf, archery range and more! Today we went for a hike with our puppy and he loved it! Still needs some more training but it was fun! In the summer they always have a Sprecher Beer Garden and pig roasts on Sundays. You really have to come visit this park to truly enjoy it! Take my word for it it's awesome!

Loved walking through it and stumbling upon a legit waterfall! Prairie land, wild flowers, multiple walking trails, ponds, and not crowded -perfect recipe for a meditative hike! I did not see many trash cans but I was informed that is intentional to keep critters away and provide a more natural environment. It was nice to see people respecting the park and picking up after themselves! Beautiful park, one of my newest faves!

This is my number one favorite Milwaukee County Park. They have an incredible Nature Center with amazing educational walking trails. They have a golf course that, in winter, turns into a cross country skiing heaven plus sledding hill central. There's a beautiful lake with a waterfall and a parking spot at the top of a hill so you can overlook it (my personal favorite is grabbing breakfast or lunch to-go then parking there to enjoy the view while I eat). They have an archery range too! Just an overall A+ park to visit

A must do when in Greendale WI A truly beautiful park and botanical gardens

This place is just beautiful! The hiking trails are well kept and there are so many things to see! Each hike is different and nature itself will always provide you with a unique experience every time!

Whitnall park has trails for hiking, for biking. Botanical gardens and a beer garden. Super clean and family loving. What else do you need .

Mikwaukee Park System is first rate, and this is one of the counties gems. Boerner Botanical Gardens has 4 season interest, and Wehr Nature Center are just a few of the aspects aside from biking, family picnics or enjoyin thhe blooms of nationally recognized crabapple collection.

Living next to this beautiful park is blissful! Adventuring , taking in the amazing nature is one of a kind. If you haven't been , you are missing out on something truely breath taking.

I've spent my entire life around Whitnall Park and it has a little bit of everything. Picnic areas? They have a ton and most are relatively well maintained with bathrooms. Playgrounds? They have several. The scenic (yet small) Root River winds through the park adding to the ambiance. Wehr Nature Center is definite highlight! It is a great place to take the kids and view some wildlife or just wander the paths and relax. Speaking of paths...the park is full of them. Some are official and some not so much...but you can walk and walk and really never get lost. Botanical Gardens are a must. Toboggan run is a rare treat and something to do on a winter afternoon. They also have several sledding hills, an archery range, cross country trails, and on and on. I think the only thing they don't have is a pool...but other than that...I cannot think of one thing they lack. Neighborhood is more than safe. If you drive through at dusk you are almost guaranteed to see deer. There is a traveling beer garden that stops at least twice during the summer. Frisbee golf. Soccer. Regular golf. Well maintained and a true jewel of the park system.

Not being familiar with the area it was very confusing driving through whitnall park. Stopped at picnic area 6 and walked up and around one trail. Made it to the botanical gardens trails with the dogs and saw the sign for no pets. We respectfully turned around but didn't come across new walking paths. Luckily the dogs were tired and we were able to end our trip shortly after. Hoping to get back soon to explore more. From the views on the map this is a huge park. Saw a couple of deer on the drive in. There is also a children's okay structure. Clean grassy areas for a nice read under a tree or picnic tables for a quiet outdoors lunch. I will be making another visit soon.

This is one of the best parts in the Milwaukee county park system. There's a little something for everyone a playground, botanical garden, nature reserve, golf course ,all sorts of fun. If you haven't been to Whitnall Park you're missing it. Tthe place is located right out the back door of my business and I love to take walks there in the spring, summer and fall. Hope you get there soon. It's fun anytime of the year.

This park is pretty amazing, and expansive. It has multiple playgrounds and picnic areas, many with bathrooms and pavilions. There is a Nature Center, and Botanical Gardens, golf course, tot lot, tubing hill, toboggan run, cross country ski trails, hiking trails, archery range, recreational roadways and amazing views of nature. Wehr Nature Center and Boerner Botanical Gardens have been the highlight of the park for me. I don't golf and cannot speak to that area, other than it is beautiful, especially in the Fall. Admission to the gardens and nature center is minimal. Wehr, I believe charges $3 per vehicle for parking and a little more for some events, but reasonable for families on a tight budget. Boerner was in the $5-6 range per person, with discounts for students, children and seniors. What really sets these locations apart are some of the events that they hold. We've attended Apple Cider Days and Maple Sugar Days at Wehr, and several of the summer Concerts in the Park at Boerner. My children have tapped Maple trees, used a cider press, and got to dance to the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra on a summer night (the concert was free - pretty amazing - bring a blanket and some snacks and you have the perfect summer family outing or a great inexpensive date if you are in that life stage. If you or the kids get restless you can wander the garden paths and still hear most of the music.) Accessibility is not complete for wheelchairs and strollers, but enough of the nature center, trails, gardens, etc. are accessible to make it worth admission/trip out. The tot lot has a nice play structure and swings, which my children always enjoy. Additionally the play area sits on a cork surface which is really nice after dealing with wood chips and gravel fills with toddlers. There is a lot to keep the little ones occupied with, including pipes running under the playground surface so you can talk to people through the ends located at different places in the play structure - a feature sure to inspire creative social play. The park would get five stars from me hands down, except that some of the hiking and nature trails have not been maintained. Some have flooded, others are too overgrown for any but the most adventurous, and many of the bridges that were once a part of this have decayed to a point where I am not comfortable crossing them. I do understand that not many people use these trails, and that maintaining them could be difficult with budget cuts. But Whitnall looses a tiny bit of it's magic to the inaccessible state of what used to be some splendid trails connecting the various parts and features of the park. I used to love taking my young children through the "secret trails" from the tot lot, up to see the beautiful fish in the reflecting pool at the gardens, or through some of the interior wetlands to see cattails before climbing back to see the different ecosystems that the park hosts. The connectivity of the trails invited a new level of exploration and getting to see the park more intimately than the picnic areas and roadways alone allow, and I miss them. Outside of that minor issue, Whitnall is probably one of the best parks in the greater Milwaukee area, and has more than you can possibly explore in many, many trips. It does help to download a park map to your GPS ahead of visiting. The size and number of roads are daunting if you are not familiar with the area. A little extra planning can help you get where you want to be rather than driving in circles for hours. And if you have hungry little people in tow, that can be a trip saver.

We have been going to this park for almost 20 years. Great paths, beautiful foliage and flowers. The grounds are well groomed. The staff is fantastic. Don't miss this wonderful park and it's surroundings.