The Hank Aaron State Trail is a multi-use trail that links Milwaukee's lakefront with the Menomonee River valley and the western suburbs. According to the Wisconsin DNR, it runs west as far as about 123rd Street and Bluemound Road in Brookfield and ends at the Waukesha County line. The grade is level and the surface is limestone in places, with a stretch of asphalt along a former rail corridor west of American Family Field. The trail links to the Milwaukee County Oak Leaf Trail system, Lakeshore State Park, Discovery World and the Milwaukee Art Museum, and a ramp near Highway 100 and Bluemound Road gives access to the Milwaukee County Zoo. For visitors, the main value is connection. The trail passes through the Menomonee Valley, a former industrial area that is being restored with attention to fish and wildlife habitat, and it provides a car-free way to reach several attractions without the stress of downtown traffic. It is open to walkers, cyclists, joggers and in-line skaters. Visitors who like to move under their own power will find it a relaxed way to see different parts of Milwaukee in a single day.
How to use it
A simple plan is to start at the lakefront near Discovery World, ride or walk west along the river and pick a destination, such as the ballpark, the Harley-Davidson Museum area or the zoo access ramp, then return the same way. The trail is long enough to fill half a day if you ride, and short sections are pleasant for a stroll. Bike rentals and bike-share stations in the city make it easy to try without bringing your own bicycle.
Conditions
Some sections are on-street, and the DNR notes that most of the trail is accessible. In winter, some segments are not plowed but stay open to non-motorized use, and the city clears the trail east from Selig Drive for winter biking. Dogs must be on a leash no longer than eight feet. Hunting and trapping are prohibited on the corridor. Check conditions in the shoulder seasons, when wet weather can affect the surface.
Tips
Bring water, a map or phone navigation, and a bike lock if you plan to stop at museums along the way. Weekday mornings are quiet, while weekends and game days near the ballpark bring more people. Combine the trail with a brewers game or ballpark tour, a lunch in the valley or a visit to the zoo. Families with young children can choose short segments near the lakefront or the Menomonee Valley, which are flatter and easier than longer rides, and everyone should keep to the right and signal when passing.
Is it worth it? If you like to see a city by bike or on foot, it is one of the best ways to reach several attractions without a car. The drawbacks are that some sections are on-street, conditions vary in wet or snowy weather and the full length is longer than most visitors will want to cover. Choose a segment that connects two places you already want to see, such as the lakefront and the ballpark, and consider a one-way ride followed by a ride-share back if you are tired.
Because the trail is long and links so many places, decide on your start and finish before you set out, and remember that the return leg is as long as the outbound one.
What to expect
The experience
A free, level trail for walking or cycling along the Menomonee River.
Best time
Spring to autumn for riding; open in winter with limited plowing.
How long
One to three hours, longer by bike.
Tips
Plan a point-to-point route, carry water and check conditions after rain.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Cyclists and walkers who want a car-free route between sights.
- Families
- Level and mostly accessible, suitable for families with older children.
- Couples
- A scenic ride or walk that links museums and the lakefront.
- Pair with
- Lakeshore State Park, American Family Field and the Harley-Davidson Museum.
- Time needed
- One to three hours.
Good questions
Where does the trail go?+
It runs west from the lakefront along the Menomonee River to about 123rd Street and Bluemound Road in Brookfield, ending at the Waukesha County line.
What is the surface like?+
The grade is level, with limestone in places and asphalt along the former rail corridor west of the ballpark.
Does it connect to other sights?+
Yes. It links to Lakeshore State Park, Discovery World, the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Oak Leaf Trail and, by a ramp, the Milwaukee County Zoo.
Can I use it in winter?+
Some segments are not plowed but stay open to non-motorized use, and the city clears the trail east of Selig Drive for winter biking.
Are dogs allowed?+
Yes, on a leash no longer than eight feet, and owners must pick up after them.
