Overview
Start at the Visitor Center and drop a donation into the box near the parking lot.
For kid-friendly hikes, walk down the short hill from the Visitor Center. Turn left for the Lake Loop / Waterfall and turn right for Family Friendly Trail. Check out the Trail Map here.
Lake Loop / Waterfall
Follow the path along Mallard Lake and look for frogs and turtles in the clearings. It’s frog mating season right now so you’ll hear them croaking throughout the hike.
Less than a half a mile into your walk, you’ll stumble upon the waterfall into the Root River. It’s a great place to stop for a snack.
If your kids are up for it, you can do the entire loop around the lake (1.5 miles), or just turn around and head back to the Visitor Center. We recommend carrying your non-walkers since the path is not stroller-friendly. 
Waterfall from Mallard Lake into the Root River at Wehr Nature Center⠀
Family Friendly Trail
If you turn right on the path below the Visitor Center you’ll find a stroller-friendly boardwalk. It’s called Family-Friendly Trail and it’s only .5 miles long.
You’ll see beautiful birds and you may spot a wild turkey.
Wehr’s website says, “This trail showcases the diversity of Wehr’s natural communities in a family friendly distance. It begins at the Amphitheater and takes you by Mallard Lake, the Wetland, and the Woodland before returning you to the Visitor Center. Benches and photo opportunities are frequent as you walk over level to moderately sloping terrain on paths of wood chips and boardwalk.”
Family Friendly Trail at Wehr Nature Center (.5 mile)
Don’t forget
✔️Pack sunscreen, bug spray, water, and snacks.
✔️Check for ticks when you get home. ⠀
After The Hike
✔️Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for more kid-friendly hiking ideas.
✔️Relax with some guilt-free screen time. Try ABCMouse.com for free.
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
