Cudahy Nature Preserve in Oak Creek
One of Milwaukee County’s three State Natural Areas, the 42-acre preserve consists of two woodlands separated by a stream. A single trail with two loops goes through both sections. The north section is dominated by red oak, white oak, black cherry, and shagbark hickory. The south woods is moister and supports an old-growth forest containing sugar maple, American beech, red oak, white ash, and ironwood. Cudahy Nature Center was inducted into the Old Growth Forest Network in 2024, one of only eight forest properties so honored in Wisconsin.
A stop on the Forked Aster Trail system. Particularly rich in spring flowers, including trout lily, Gleason’s trillium, blue cohosh, bloodroot, hepatica, and spring beauty. Designated eBird hotspot.
Adjacent to the flight path of Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport. The site is relatively undeveloped, with one shelter but no other amenities. No hunting, trapping or plant collecting permitted.
For more information go to the WDNR website.
For Milwaukee County Parks map, click here.
Story link: “Hidden Gems: Five Milwaukee area parks” at Milwaukee Magazine
Gallery (click to enlarge)
- The Forked Aster Trail
- Ceremonial induction into Old Growth Forest Network
- Autumn splendor
- Joy in the forest!
- Marsh marigolds
- Trout lily
- Group hike
- Early spring
- Spring tapestry
- Trout lily patch
- Skunk Cabbage
- Skunk cabbage flower and pollinator bee
- Creek
- Mke Co Parks Natural Areas Coordinator Brian Russart
- Early meadow rue in bloom
- Jet landing next to the woods
- Wood violets
- Guided tour of the woods
- Swamp buttercup
- Tree huggers! Giant red oak.
- A pair of hikers
- White trillium nestled amongst mayapples
- Midday winter sun
- Ephemeral pond
- Dancing beech leaves
- Swollen creek
Address
501 E College Ave53154, Oak Creek, WI , US