Havenwoods State Forest

Welcome to Havenwoods State Forest, a small urban forest in the City of Milwaukee. This forest offers over six miles of multipurpose trails as well as 4 ponds. This land was not always used as a State Forest however. In the late 19th century it was an operating prison farm and during World War II it was used to house Prisoners of War. After WWII the Army used this land as a training facility and even a section of it was used for landfill. In 1974 however the buildings were abandoned and locally concerned citizens and politicians advocated for the use of this land for recreational and conservation purposes. Their wish was granted in 1980 when Havenwoods State Forest was established. Though none of this land is untouched by man, most of it has successfully been reverted back to a state of nature that gives home to muskrats, raccoons, turtles, white-tailed deer, and many others. Come on out and explore.