You don’t have to head to the Northwoods to find a bit of wilderness and solitude. Hidden within the state’s largest city, you’ll find Wisconsin’s only urban forest. Havenwoods State Forest is a wild oasis that’s completely surrounded by Milwaukee. While the property looks unspoiled, it wasn’t always this way and it has an interesting and varied history. You might be surprised to know what used to be here. Read on to find out.

Havenwoods State Forest is located on the north side of Milwaukee, about 10 miles from downtown. It’s west of Glendale and South of Brown Deer.
Alltrails / Kelli Elert
The modern history of this property begins in the 1830s. In 1836 surveyors mapped out the swampy forest that was here and settlers soon arrived. Pioneer farmers cleared the land and drained wetlands for farming.
Alltrails / Suneetha Sarala
But that was just the first act for this triangle-shaped piece of land. In the early 1900s Milwaukee County purchased the farmland for its House of Corrections and it became a place where prisoners were put to work. Prisoners grew crops, milked cows, and made furniture.
Alltrails / Vance Campbell

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During World War II the United States Army took over and the property was used to house prisoners of war and German-Americans. After the war, a military presence continued and in the 1950s, it held a Project Nike Ajax Missile site.
Alltrails / Suneetha Sarala
In the 1970s the land was turned over for public use and nature has been reclaiming it since. The forest became an urban green space and environmental education center.
Alltrails / Adam J
It includes meadows, woodlands, wetlands, a creek, an urban arboretum, and educational gardens.
Alltrails / Sdarah DeRose
The forest has over six miles of trails, four ponds and a 120-foot bridge. There are plenty of benches so you can linger to take in the beauty and reflect on the park’s changing history. The property looks nothing like a farm, prison, or missile site!

Havenwoods State Forest is open daily, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. A state park vehicle admission sticker is not required to use the park. Learn more about the park here. Once you’ve explored Havenwoods, here are some more amazing state forests to explore.

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Featured Addresses
Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N Hopkins St, Milwaukee, WI 53209, USA