The hills to the north of the City are named after Turner Madley, a wealthy philanthropist who created a trust for the land's preservation in 1906.
The forest itself covers over 300 square miles and is in many areas unexplored. Although it is open to hikers and campers, most visitors confine their explorations to Madley Park, a small area near the suburb of Restwood that provides restroom facilities and well-defined trails for walking or biking.