EXPLORE WHITNALL PARK
not just a beer garden
Ok, so we have something to admit - Whitnall Beer Garden isn't actually in Whitnall Park, it's actually in Root River Parkway, but with over 600 acres of connected greenway, the beer garden is an ideal spot to start, or finish, a day out in Milwaukee County's largest park.
Whitnall Park, and the beer garden, is named for Charles Whitnall, a member of the Milwaukee County Park Commission from 1907 to 1941, and the man credited for the creation of the 'emerald necklace' of parkways.
Today the park is home to botanical gardens, a nature center, a championship golf course, miles of trails, multiple picnic sites and is one of the top locations for birding and wildlife watching. Here's a quick guide to everything you can see & do in Whitnall Park.
wehr nature center
Explore over five miles of nature trails through woodland, wetland, prairie and oak savanna on 220 acres of protected land in Whitnall Park. Step inside the Wehr Nature Center to meet our resident amphibians and reptiles, see an indoor beehive and find a range of nature themed books, gifts and toys in our shop.
Gowhitnall golf course
Whitnall golf course opened in 1932 and remains one of the most popular public courses in the county. Large trees line the fairways of all 18 holes of this heavily wooded course.
Book a tee timeboerner botanical gardens
Thousands of plants bring the seasons to life at Boerner with colorful and fragrant displays laid out in 12 formal gardens. Explore a rose garden, peony garden and daylily garden; stroll under blossoming crabapples. The gardens are open year round and paid admission is required between April and October.
Visit the GardensOAK LEAF TRAIL
The Oak Leaf Trail is a 125 mile system on trails that loops through Milwaukee County. Whitnall Beer Garden connects with the Root River branch line and the Whitnall Loop is perfect for a scenic ride through Whitnall Park.
View the trail mapbird & wildlife watching
Milwaukee County is an official Bird City Wisconsin and a Whitnall Park is a favorite destination for birders - especially during warbler migrations in spring and fall. Find birding hotspots in the park at E-bird.
Latest sightingskegel Alpha mountain bike trail
Test your mountain biking skills on The Kegel Alpha Trail, a 4-mile, single-track, mountain biking trail with a few steep or rocky segments. Mountain bikes ride counterclockwise.
View the Trail Map