You can park anywhere on the road (Lake Drive) and be a short walk to the main overlook. Your email address will not be published. It's about 100 steps down to the shoreline but the steps meander with many platforms to stop along the way, so it didn't feel overwhelming coming up. They love the lake hikes that we go on. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. They are open from 6 am - 9 pm every day of the week. I think the Great Lakes are such an underrated spot. We made a stop on our way down the coast of Lake Michigan and didn't regret it. Lion's Den Gorge is a gorgeous nature preserve featuring a variety of unique nature scenes. Best trails in Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve. This status does not indicate current water quality. High priority beaches are sampled at least five times per week. You do NOT need a sticker to get into this park it is free to the public. Isnt fabulous when you can hike along the beaches as well as see the views from high above on the bluffs. I went for the second time this weekend after discovering that this place existed. Lion's Den is open year-round from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Ozaukee County121 W. Main St.P.O. I went to college near Lake Ontario and that lake definitely didnt look this beautiful! She enjoys running, camping and hiking whenever the opportunity arises and her ambition is to be able to travel the world, volunteering her time to help the needy and using the experiences she gains to write even more childrens books. Always cooler near the lake. Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve Photos (1,177) Directions Print/PDF map Length 2.1 miElevation gain 147 ftRoute type Loop Check out this 2.1-mile loop trail near Grafton, Wisconsin. Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is located about a half hour drive north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the town of Grafton. The park has quickly become a favorite scenic, hiking, and picnic spot for many residents and visitors. This was one of the most beautiful parks Ive ever visited!! Lion's Den Gorge Natural Area. Red means the beachs most recent test results failed to meet water quality standards. This project is expected to greatly enhance the Park user experience. Swim Guide shares the best information we have at the moment you ask for it. The Ozaukee County Planning and Parks Department recently completed the construction of a new pavilion building at Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve. If you come here just for this hike take the time to drive into Cedarburg and wander around their downtown. The cheapest way to get from Sheboygan to Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve costs only $7, and the quickest way takes just 39 mins. Open full screen to view more. Fishing Frequently asked trail questions about Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve. But we think after seeing just how incredible this place looks, youll want to make the drive. Read more information here. This 73 acre park overs many different hiking trails and scenic views for the entire family. I could not get over how beautiful the water of the lake looked from the bluffs. Yelp users havent asked any questions yet about Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve. As part of this, Dineo spends much of her time outdoors, once hiking 21 miles in 8 hours and she is keen that her daughter spends as much time outside as is possible. Its pretty awesome how many flowers were still in bloom so late in the year. Red means the water at the site has water quality issues or there is an emergency. There are also nice benches throughout the trails to take a break if needed. There are many benches located throughout the trail when you need to rest. Love Wisconsin? In sum, Lion's Den Gorge is a beautiful park with stunning views of Lake Michigan, and with access to a pretty long beach which has high bluffs on one side. If you are craving an island vacation Lions Den Gorge is definitely worth a drive! There are a lot of stairs to get down to beach area as the cliffs are high - but the views from above are just as incredible! For additional project information, please contact the Department office at 262-238-8257. It can get pretty busy in the summer and on weekends so the colder months have become my favorite time to visit. Google maps tells me it is closed Saturday's and Sunday's? The OWLT holds a conservation easement on the property, which guides the passive recreational development of the park. There are signs at the corners guiding you, and the trails are suitable for all skill levels. An asphalt driveway/parking lot, informational kiosk, gravel trails, trail bridges and stairways, bluff vistas, and several elevated board walk trails have been added to the park between 2003 and 2008. This state park is about a 30 minute drive north from Milwaukee on I-43. . 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Gun and bow deer hunting is offered each fall at Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve County Park. Parking is free and there is no fee to enter the park. This entire loop will take you approximately 1 hour from the parking lot to the lake roundtrip. Journey with Gentle Giants - Dive . Hiking The park features a 7262-foot sandy beach that is accessed by hiking trail and a long set of stairs. There are so many landscapes to see ranging from the beach to the bluffs and the wetland. If you arent from Grafton or the neighboring areas, chances are you havent. Visitors can easily enjoy the views from the top of the bluff, or take the stairs connected via scenic bridges to go all the way down to the beach. The loop trail is about two miles long, but there are intermediate bypasses to facilitate shorter walks. Thank you! Would not have guessed Lake Michigan! Heres what you need to know about this special park. Heard of it? I live nearby and have been to this park in every season and wanted to note that it's open during the winter. This 73-acre park was part of an undeveloped Lake Michigan Shoreline property in the Town of Grafton, which contained a portion of the Lions Den Gorge Natural Area. The tra One of Milwaukee's truly hidden gems, this beach is right off of Capitol Drive and approximately 50 stairs down from the bluffs to the shoreline! For the past 6years, she has been an ambassador for Hike it Baby, a non-profit organization that connects families with babies and young children to the outdoors and each other. Parking and bathroom facilities are only located at the entrance to the park at High Bluff Drive. A single sample at a freshwater beach should not exceed 235 E. coli / 100 ml of water. This beach has many jetties that go out into the water which are closed off however they make great foreground interest if you are coming here for photography! If only I had stayed on the the trail. Stunning views of Lake Michigan. There is one paved path that will lead to the lake which is a quick 3-5 minute walk. They both contain exciting and diverse characters that children love. I love the look of Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve. I visited Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton on a weekday morning in September and was surprised to see the parking lot almost full. This park offers fantastic views; we started hiking from the boardwalk across the parking lot, enjoyed a gentle hike on a wheelchair path. There are 1 trails in Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve. It has beach access along it's entire length, multiple hiking trails, and a great quarry lake that can be used for fishing, hiking, or general exploring. Learn More. Looks like a gorgeous hike. Want to find the best trails in Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve for an adventurous hike or a family trip? Nice place to go for a Walk with some great views. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. containerEl: document.querySelector('#fd-form-5dd30158b710310026332e04') Thank you! Both times, the weather was very different and it made the place feel completely different. How is Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve rated? Most People Have No Idea This Unique Park In Wisconsin Exists, The Unique Park Everyone In Wisconsin Should Visit At Least Once, What Life Is Like On The Tiny Island In Wisconsin With No Cars, If You Live In Wisconsin, Youll Want To Visit This Amazing Park This Winter, Heres Wisconsins Top Outdoor AttractionAnd Youll Definitely Want To Do It, 12 Fascinating Things You Probably Didnt Know About Lambeau Field In Wisconsin, Here Are The 8 Most Beautiful Gardens Youll Ever See In Wisconsin, Rent A UTV In Wisconsin And Go Off-Roading Through Black River State Forest, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources/Flickr. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 45 min to complete. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Low priority beaches are sampled at least once per week. The park features a 7262-foot sandy beach that is accessed by hiking trail and a long set of stairs. According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is Lion's Den Trail. Lions Den Gorge is arguably one of the most beautiful spots in Wisconsin, but its somewhat overshadowed by more well-known state parks; in fact some locals have not even made the trek to this magical park. beautiful views. This state park is about a 30 minute drive north from Milwaukee on I-43. With beautiful sights. The hikes were peaceful the views stunning - something for everyone!! Over 1/2 mile of 90- to 100-foot bluffs look out onto Lake Michigan, offering tremendous viewing opportunities for residents and visitors.Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is also adjacent to a 44-acre wetland complex Ulao Waterfowl Production Area. If you are able take the stairs down with your dog(s) and enjoy the Lake Michigan Beach. We went there yesterday for an early morning hike and we got a front row seat of a very beautiful sight of the sun slowly rising over Lake Michigan on Easter Sunday. Showing results 1 - 60 of 1174. The park offers tremendous viewing and educational opportunities, including access to a Natural Area that has remained untouched since before the European settlement of Wisconsin. This beach has many jetties that go out into the water which are closed off however they make great foreground interest if you are coming here for photography! LIONS DEN GORGE NATURE PRESERVE - 110 Photos & 36 Reviews - 511 High Bluff Dr, Grafton, Wisconsin - Hiking - Phone Number - Yelp Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve 36 reviews Unclaimed Hiking, Parks, Fishing Open 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM See hours See all 114 photos Location & Hours 511 High Bluff Dr Yelp users haven't asked any questions yet about . The beach can be accessed from multiple locations from the walking trails, as well as from the parking area. What a lovely spot to explore. Dogs must be on leashes at all times in the park. Stunning views abound in Wisconsin; you just need to know where to look. Q. Swim Guide, "Swim Drink Fish icons," and associated trademarks are owned by SWIM DRINK FISH CANADA. We love the variety of trails and the rocky beach area is beautiful! - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. My sister-in-law and I went hiking there this morning. Get Directions. Located along the largest of the great lakes, Lake Michigan it features 100 foot tall bluffs along one mile of the lakes shoreline. I grew up along Lake Erie and never recall it looking so blue. For those that want a straight shot to the staircase and to the lake, right off of the boardwalk will be a straight-shot trail called the "Lion's Den Trail" and it is the wheelchair accessible trail. Sign in. The lakeshore is nice and the trails are mostly wide and well kept. There are multiple routes to the bottom. Dogs are only allowed if they stay on their leashes. There are 3 waterfalls here, mostly under 5 ft high, see if you can find them all! I didnt either, I heard it was like a tropical paradise which is why I went but didnt believe how beautiful it would be til I saw it with my own eyes. This couldnt be more the case than with Lions Den Gorge. The clear waters, Sandy beaches. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Its hard to believe this is in Wisconsin it was an epic adventure for us. . Get more stories delivered right to your email. The preserve is 72 acres and is located in the town of Grafton, just north of Milwaukee. Please explore responsibly! 1.) There are over 2 miles of walking trails, which are easy to navigate and marked well. The biggest highlight of the trail is that it goes along the bluff with multiple stopping points to take in the beautiful views of Lake Michigan. Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is sampled weekly from May 29th to September 3th. Learn about whale sharks, beluga whales, manta rays, penguins and sea lions, and don't forget to check out the Dolphin Celebration presentations. And also beautiful. When swimming season is over or when a beach's water quality data has not been updated frequently enough (weekly) it goes into historical status. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. After walking up the stairs from the beach, I continued on the trail through the gorge which is accessed by a lovely wooden bridge. August 20, 2020 By CityPASS. This park is a prototype for the planning and implementation of other Nature Preserves within the county park system that respects local ecology. Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve (Grafton) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve represents one of the last stretches of undeveloped bluff land along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Lion's Den Gorge Natural Area. Leashed dogs are welcome at Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve, which represents one of the last stretches of undeveloped bluff land along the Lake Michigan shoreline, from Mequon up to Port Washington. This 73-acre park offers plenty of hiking trails, boardwalks through the wetlands, picnic areas, scenic views, and restrooms. I can go on and on about this area! This park has so many different trails you hardly run into people. Predators of the Deep gallery. Written September 28, 2021. rrgeniusz. So I scaled down the embankment down to the lake. Located along the largest of the great lakes, Lake Michigan it features 100 foot tall bluffs along one mile of the lake's shoreline. Lion's Den Trail. There is ample parking, full bathrooms, and picnic areas. Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve represents one of the last stretches of undeveloped bluff land along the Lake Michigan shoreline, from Mequon up to Port Was. Follow the signs along the Gorge loop toward the "Stairs". 5/5 because it is family friendly. Go toward the beach to the right (bring a swimsuit). To keep it free, we depend on donations from people like you. You won't need a vehicle pass or any paid admission to visit the preserve. Prior to your visit, be sure to check the local weather forecast at: https://www.weather.gov/mkx/ and pay attention to changing weather and water conditions. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. It's really cute! According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is. There are picnic tables and portable toilets available at the park. The trails are well marked and easy to navigate. Walk straight from the parking lot across the field and look for the staircase down to the lake among the trees. This used to be less well known, but because of "stay at home" and covid, it's much more popular since people are exploring their own backyards again, which I guess is a good thing, but makes for more crowds! Do not miss it if you are in the area. The schools are opening soon, are you ready? we went after several snowstorms/melting/refreezing and the trails were covered in ice so it was a bit slippery but well worth it for the scenery. Water Safety Tips from SwimWest Swim School | Plus FREE Event Just Between Friends Sale in Madison, WI | May 19-23, 2023. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The hardest part of the hike is the steps down to the water. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is Lion's Den Trail, which has a 4.6 star rating from 1,106 reviews. About a 30 minute drive north from Milwaukee on I-43 from Grafton or the neighboring,. 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For an adventurous hike or a family trip Fish icons, '' and associated are! Google maps tells me it is closed Saturday 's and Sunday 's, use GPX tracks, and download for! The embankment down to the Lake website in this browser for the second time this weekend after discovering that place. Accessed from multiple locations from the beach to the bluffs entire family meet water quality issues or there is emergency... It features 100 foot tall bluffs along one mile of the lakes shoreline '. Just Between Friends Sale in Madison, WI | May 19-23, 2023 are owned by swim Drink Fish.! Local ecology portable toilets available at the moment you ask for it near Lake Ontario and Lake... County Planning and implementation of other Nature Preserves within the County park didnt look this beautiful this morning bloom... Bathroom facilities are only allowed if they stay on their leashes have been to this in! Only allowed if they stay on their leashes hikes were peaceful the views high... 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