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Explore more than five miles of nature trails through woodland, wetland, prairie and oak savanna on 220 acres of protected land in Whitnall Park.
Just outside the Visitor Center, you’ll discover labeled gardens featuring prairie, woodland and other plant varieties; a natural play space with a log cabin playhouse especially for kids; and a deck over Mallard Lake. Wehr Nature Center, which takes pride in its many accessibility features, also hosts nature-themed educational programming and special events year round.
STAY ON DESIGNATED TRAILS! This protects the plants and wildlife in natural areas and helps you avoid poison ivy and ticks!
Protect the nature trails and lake – NO bike riding! For biking, use the Oak Leaf Trail and the formally designated mountain-bike trails. NO fishing or use of watercraft in Mallard Lake! Check opportunities on the water in other park locations.
Leave no trace: “Pack it in. Pack it out.”
“Take nothing but photographs.” Collecting is strictly prohibited!
Note that pets are not allowed. ONLY working service dogs, on leash, are permitted. For the only off-leash opportunities in the Milwaukee County Parks, visit the Dog Parks.
Explore Wehr's Trails with the Interactive Map
Entry to the nature center is free. Parking is $5 per vehicle.
Visitor Center: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., seven days a week
Parking Lot: November – January, the lot is open by 8 a.m. and closed at 5 p.m. February – October, the lot is available dawn to dusk.
Trails: Open dawn to dusk, daily, year round
Come inside the Visitor Center and speak to a naturalist to learn more about the wildlife that lives in the surrounding natural areas. See a few of our nature center's resident reptiles in the Wildlife Room.
The hiking trail loops are organized by the type of natural community they pass through and are marked with color-coded wooden posts. Unmarked connector trails help to link these loops to each other and to other parts of Whitnall Park. Note: the trails at Wehr are for walkers only. No runners, cycling or dogs.
For all your adventures at the Nature Center and beyond! Wehr is a host site for an all-terrain wheelchair from Access Ability Wisconsin. Reserve the outdoor chair for free use at Wehr or reserve it along with the enclosed AAW trailer to tow to another site – all for free. A deposit and DNR Customer Number are required. Make your reservation directly through the Access Ability Wisconsin website.
Get Details!
Our natural playground features climbing rocks, Carol's Cabin, logs and a native-plant garden. Take your children here for some quality time and a healthy dose of nature!
Wehr Nature Center is on the banks of Mallard Lake, which also features an accessible boardwalk to the water's edge. Fishing and the use of watercraft are NOT allowed.
Celebrate the spring thaw and our Wisconsin heritage at Maple Sugar Days. The program includes a short walk to the sugarbush, a visit to an old-time sugarin’ camp, a boil-down demonstration and hands-on activities for children. Maple tapping workshops are also held in March.
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Celebrate the botany behind your favorite brews! Wehr's newest event is part farmer’s market and part educational program. Enjoy live acoustic music as you stroll from vendor to vendor, sipping free samples of beer, kombucha, tea, and coffee. Hear the stories behind these botanical creations and test your plant knowledge with trivia questions about the brews you sample.
Explore the wonderful world of invertebrates at Wehr Nature Center’s Bug Day celebration! Show, Tell and Touch displays include live invertebrates found throughout Wisconsin and across the globe.
Follow a jack-o'-lantern trail into the Enchanted Forest for a kooky and slightly spooky look at nature's misunderstood creatures. You'll meet costumed characters — such as owls, frogs and skunks — that serve as your educational guides to nature.
Be a part of Bat Central in Whitnall Park. Join us for an exciting hour of bat exploration and discover facts about these misunderstood creatures of the night. Using the latest technology, you’ll hear the ultrasonic echolocation of bats. The detector combines a system for recording the bat calls and a global positioning system. You can also discover interesting facts and information on how you can protect bats through participation in Citizen Science Monitoring.
Want to explore nature with your children but don’t know how to get started? Stop in for a “pop-up” program with a nature expert to get your adventure on! There will be a naturalist-led activity at each session from 1-1:30, followed by self-guided activities you can enjoy with your family at your own pace. We provide the tools and know how, you supply the curiosity. Each program has a different theme, so make plans to join us all year!
Nature programing for children, groups and adults is held throughout the year. These programs encourage discovery and curiosity and help everyone build a personal connection to nature.
Summer camps for children ages 6 to 12 let children discover the natural world, make new friends, and gain confidence as they learn new skills and take on outdoor adventures. Camps are led by professional naturalists who nurture each child’s natural sense of wonder.
Browse the Programs
Friends of Wehr is a 501(c)3 dedicated to supporting the educational and interpretive efforts of Wehr Nature Center. The Volunteer Board of Directors works together with the nature center staff and volunteers to provide a place for all seasons and place for everyone.
As a Friends of Wehr member you’ll receive
Become a Member
Indoor and outdoor spaces are available to rent at Wehr Nature Center for everything from business meetings to weddings.
The Gardner Room in Wehr Nature Center overlooks Mallard Lake and surrounding natural areas. To expand your event, you may also rent the outdoor amphitheater. No alcoholic beverages may be brought into the Center.
Available: Year round, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
Rental Room Size: 50'x40'
Capacity: 100 banquet style or 110 theater style
Tables & Chairs: Available at no additional charge
Microphone/Podium/Screen: Available for a fee
For Details or to Book: Call (414) 425-8550
The Wehr Nature Center amphitheater includes a small stage with fixed bench seating in a beautiful wooded setting. To expand your event, you may also rent the fire pit or the indoor Gardner Room.
Available: Spring – Fall, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
Capacity: 195 with 3 people per bench — 63 benches with 3–4 people per bench, plus 3 wheelchair accessible spaces with temporary companion seats
Microphone/Podium: Available for a fee
Ideal for intimate gatherings. Enjoy the scenic setting, surrounded by Mallard Lake:
Available: Spring – Fall, 7 days a week, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Capacity: 20
Minimum Rental Time: 1 hour
Canopy: Available for additional fee
Ideal for intimate gatherings. Enjoy the scenic settings with Mallard Lake as the backdrop:
Request a Rental Space
Reserve the All-Terrain Wheelchair
The Nature Center offers an amazing array of plants and wildlife throughout the year. From macro-photography of wildflowers, to panoramas of deer crossing the prairie, inspiration is all around you! Knowing that people are more relaxed in nature, you've also found the perfect spot for portraits.
Photography/Videography That Does NOT Require a Permit You do not need a permit to take personal-use photos of Wehr Nature Center plants, wildlife, or casual shots of a person in your party.
Photography/Videography That REQUIRES a Permit Any photography/videography by a paid or professional photographer – and any photography using final images in the stream of commerce – requires a Photography/Videography Permit.
Get Details & Apply for a Permit
9701 W. College Ave., Franklin, WI 53132, (414) 425-8550
Parking Available
Wheelchair Accessible
Gift Shop
9480 W. Watertown Plank Road Wauwatosa, WI 53226 (414) 257-PARK (7275)