Deer Haven and Havener Park Loop

This loop offers an easy to moderate hiking experience. You'll encounter a mix of gravel and dirt paths. Within Deer Haven Park, trails like the Tree Swallow Trail are mostly flat gravel, while the Bent Tree Ridge Trail has moderate elevation changes, traversing woods and ravines, and includes a stone creek crossing. Havener Park features an easy 1-mile gravel loop.

Yes, this loop is generally family-friendly, especially the easier sections like the Tree Swallow Trail in Deer Haven Park and the Havener Park Loop. The varied terrain and opportunities for wildlife spotting, including the pollinator garden and insect hotel, make it an engaging experience for children.

Pets are not allowed on the trails within Deer Haven Park. However, you can bring your dog to the adjacent Havener Park, where pets are permitted on its trails.

The loop is excellent for wildlife viewing, especially birdwatching. You might spot bluebirds, tree swallows, goldfinches, red-tailed hawks, and even barred owls in the evening. Mammals like cottontails and white-tailed deer are also common. A dedicated wildlife blind offers a chance to observe ducks, geese, and sunning turtles on a pond. Don't miss the aviary with permanently injured birds of prey near the Deer Haven Park Visitor Center.

The Deer Haven and Havener Park Loop can be enjoyed year-round, but spring and fall offer particularly pleasant temperatures and vibrant scenery. Spring brings migratory birds and blooming wildflowers, while fall showcases beautiful foliage. Summer is also great, but be prepared for warmer weather. Winter hiking is possible, but check trail conditions for snow or ice.

Parking is available at Deer Haven Park, which serves as a convenient access point for the interconnected trail system. The Deer Haven Park Visitor Center is a good place to start your hike.

No, there are typically no entrance fees or permits required to access the trails in either Deer Haven Park or Havener Park. Both are public parks open for recreational use.

Beyond the diverse natural scenery, highlights include the Amy Clark-Bader Bird Sanctuary, numerous bird feeders and nesting boxes, and a wildlife blind for observing pond life. The aviary, housing injured birds of prey, offers a unique educational experience. You'll also find a pollinator garden and an insect hotel in Deer Haven Park.

The full loop, combining trails in both parks, is approximately 3.1 kilometers (about 1.9 miles) and typically takes around 45-50 minutes to complete at a moderate hiking pace, not including stops for wildlife viewing or photography.

Yes, the Deer Haven Park Visitor Center provides amenities, including restrooms. This is a good place to start or end your hike and gather information.

While not a single official 'Deer Haven and Havener Park Loop' map, maps of both Deer Haven Park and Havener Park are usually available at their respective visitor centers or online. These maps will show the various trails that allow you to create your own continuous loop between the two parks.