Oak Leaf Trail
Milwaukee County Parks
 

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Oak Leaf Trail

The Oak Leaf Trail is a multi-use trail system with over 135 miles of trail for cycling, roller blading, walking, birding and running around Milwaukee County. Nearly a quarter of the trail hugs the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. The trail system is mostly smooth asphalt, with dozens of easily accessed connections that take you just about anywhere in the Milwaukee metro area. Portions of the trail are on Milwaukee County parkways, shared with traffic, and some sections use municipal streets. 

See the Interactive Map for Short- & Long-term Closures

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  • Trail Etiquette

Explore the Oak Leaf Trail

The Oak Leaf Trail is divided into seven main 'branch lines', as well as two scenic loops and two east-west connectors.

Menomonee Line

Starting from Dretzka Park in the northwest corner of the County, the Menomonee branch follows the Little Menomonee River Parkway and the Menomonee River Parkway. The trail passes through Currie Park and Hoyt Park before reaching downtown Wauwatosa. The branch line then follows the Honey Creek Parkway past Jacobus Park and on to Doyne Park.

Dretzka Park - Doyne Park, Approx. 14.75mi

Kinnickinnic Line

This east-west section connects Wauwatosa with downtown Milwaukee. The trail passes through Jackson Park and McCarty Park following the Kinnickinnc River Parkway, and uses sections of the Honey Creek Parkway to connect with the Menomonee Line in Wauwatosa. The line connects with the Hank Aaron Trail at State Fair Park.

Museum Campus - Hart Park, Approx. 15mi

Root River Line

The south western section of the Oak Leaf  Trail travels from Hansen Park in Wauwatosa down to the Milwaukee County Sports Complex in Franklin. The trail connects with the Hank Aaron State Trail on Underwood Creek Parkway and the New Berlin Trail in Greenfield Park. The trail follows the Root River parkway for much of the trail. 

Hansen Park - Milwaukee County Sports Complex, Approx. 19mi

 

Oak Creek Line

The south eastern section of the trail connects the southern edge of the Root River Parkway with the Oak Creek Parkway via an old railroad track (the North Shore Right of Way). The trail connects with the South Shore Line.

Root River Parkway South  - Abendschein Park, Approx. 8 mi

South Shore Line

The South Shore Line tracks the shoreline of Lake Michigan from Cupertino Park in Bay View, down through South Shore Park, Warnimont Park, Sheridan Park, and Grant Park. The trail then follows the Oak Creek Parkway before taking a new section of trail back to the lakefront in Bender Park. 

Cupertino Park - Bender Park, Approx. 16 mi

Milwaukee River Line

This section of trail begins in downtown Milwaukee along the lakefront, travels through the city on a section known as the Eastside Trail before connecting with the Milwaukee River and tracking the river north through Estabrook Park, Lincoln Park, Kletzsch Park and on to Brown Deer Park.

Juneau Park - Brown Deer Park, Approx. 14mi

 

Zip Line

This section of trail branches off of the Milwaukee River Line and provides a direct, traffic-free connection from Estabrook Park to Brown Deer Park by following an old rail line. The line is named for bicycling advocate Harold "Zip" Morgan, who first conceived and laid out a 64-mile trail in 1939. 

Estabrook Park - Brown Deer Park, Approx. 6mi
Brown Deer Park - Kohl Park, Approx. 3mi

Drexel Connector
Bradley Connector

Bradley Road in the north and Drexel Avenue in the south provide east-west connections between trail lines. Portions of these connectors are on municipal streets, with traffic.

Bradley Connector, Approx. 3.3mi
Drexel Connector, Approx. 4.5mi

Lake Park Loop

The Lake Park Loop is a scenic ride along Milwaukee's lakefront. The line begins at the Milwaukee Art Museum and follows the shoreline through Veterans Park, McKinley Park and Bradford Beach, before continuing on to Lake Park and ending at the Northpoint Lighthouse.

Lake Park Loop, Approx. 8mi 
 

Whitnall Park Loop

The Whitnall Park Loop branches off of the Root River Line for a scenic ride through Whitnall Park. Beginning at the Whitnall Beer Garden, follow the loop past Boerner Botanical Gardens and along the parkway. Stop at Wehr Nature Center or Whitnall Golf Course too. 

Whitnall Park Loop, Approx. 3.5mi

 

Oak Leaf Trail Park Explorer Map

Use our Park Explorer Map to discover the county parks, mountain bike trails and connecting parks and trails you can access from the Oak Leaf Trail!

 

View the Park Explorer Map

Oak Leaf Trail Wayfinding

Look for our wayfinding kiosks throughout the trail system for more detailed maps. 

Milwaukee County Parks Trails Interactive Map

Interactive Trails Map

Select "Oak Leaf Trail on | off street" to see trail segments that use municipal roadways to connect to paved, off-road segments — just zoom in for street-level detail! Zoom in further for aerial-view photos.

View the Interactive Trails Map

View the System Map for Nearby Attractions

Trail Etiquette

The Oak Leaf Trail is designed as a multi-use recreational trail. Enjoy your ride, walk, bike or roll by following these simple rules for sharing the trail:

  • Stay on the right, pass on the left
  • Obey all traffic signs and signals
  • Travel single-file when in groups
  • Keep pets on a short leash and pick up after them
  • Travel at responsible speeds that are safe for conditions
  • Follow trail closures and detours when marked and respect maintenance staff
  • Be visible, use lights when traveling in low light conditions
  • Stay on designated trails, respect our plant, wildlife and other neighbors along the trail
  • Wear a helmet (strongly recommended)

Multiuse trail segments used for transportation are open 24 hours a day; however, the parks they bisect are generally open from 6 a.m.–10 p.m. Do not go off the trails outside of park hours.

Trail contact: (414) 257-7275. In an emergency call 911.

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