Picnicking. However I highly suggest taking the journey to the water. Box 994Port Washington, WI 53074Ph: 262-284-9411. 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 . I went to college near Lake Ontario and that lake definitely didnt look this beautiful! Our time in the water in Madison was cut short this summer when we learned about bacteria issues. 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. This means that rather than displaying current data it displays the beach's average water quality for that year. Thank you! Q. The Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve is located in the city of Grafton. These views are uncompromised in the area! There are multiple routes to the bottom. Nice rest benches are available at strategic locations. This 73-acre park offers plenty of hiking trails, boardwalks through the wetlands, picnic areas, scenic views, and restrooms. 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. I had no idea Wisconsin could look like this! Its definitely one of the most beautiful parks Ive visited. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. My daughter and I had an opportunity to explore Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve, located in Grafton, WI. 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. Dogs must be on leashes at all times in the park. There is a wheel chair accessible trail. Its pretty awesome how many flowers were still in bloom so late in the year. can be made for group events by visiting our. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? Best trails in Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve. Directions Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve safeguards 72 acres of Lake Michigan shoreline and bluffs 20 miles north of Milwaukee. Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve is a great place for fishing, bird watching, hiking, and picnicking. The schools are opening soon, are you ready? There are over 2 miles of walking trails, which are easy to navigate and marked well. the walk along the bluff is beautiful with stairs descending down to the beach. Wisconsin may not be the place that comes to mind when you think of towering bluffs above tropical looking blue waters, but that is exactly what you will find at Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve. This is beautiful! So I scaled down the embankment down to the lake. From the parking lot, go south toward the signs for Quarry lake. Do not miss it if you are in the area. Youre unlikely to see any lions but you may encounter some beautiful birds in the preserve. Looks like a gorgeous hike. Learn about whale sharks, beluga whales, manta rays, penguins and sea lions, and don't forget to check out the Dolphin Celebration presentations. Recreational features currently available at Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve include: Accessible bathrooms are available at the park in the pavilion building. Bird Watching This is a "difficult"trail in parts and especially in the winter is a slipping hazard on account of the ice that forms along the Bluff trail on the mild hills. Find the travel option that best suits you. Its beautiful. The park features a 7262-foot sandy beach that is accessed by hiking trail and a long set of stairs. We depend on financial support from individuals and organizations to restore and protect access to water for all people. What a gorgeous area! Red means the beachs most recent test results failed to meet water quality standards. 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. Lions Den Gorge was actually named after an animal that escaped from the Milwaukee County Zoo and spent several nights in the area. Low priority beaches are sampled at least once per week. Lion's Den Gorge is a gorgeous nature preserve featuring a variety of unique nature scenes. There are also nice benches throughout the trails to take a break if needed. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve. I grew up along Lake Erie and never recall it looking so blue. Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve is a perfect place to see a beautiful sunrise. Lion's Den Gorge is a gorgeous nature preserve featuring a variety of unique nature scenes. These improvements serve as the infrastructure to encourage nature education and appreciation, by providing public access to many unique ecosystems. Red means the beach failed water quality tests 40% of the time or more. Parking is free and there is no fee to enter the park. Stunning views of Lake Michigan. Dozens of acres of trails and exploration. This is a very . There are 3 waterfalls here, mostly under 5 ft high, see if you can find them all! Classes, Activities, & Enrichment for Kids, Meet Our Partners + Sponsorship/Affiliates Disclosure, Summer Festivals Happening In + Around Madison, WI in 2023, Farmers Markets in 2023 | In + Around Madison, WI, Water Safety Tips from SwimWest Swim School | Plus FREE Event, Memorial Union Terrace Reopening for the Season on April 12, Go, See, Explore: Garver Feed Mill in Madison, WI, Go, See, Explore: Wisconsin Veterans Museum. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Visit Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve at 511 High Bluff Dr, Grafton, WI 53024. The park includes massive bluffs, sand dunes, forests, creeks and bridges, hiking trails and stunning vistas of the Lake Michigan shoreline. The Lion's Den Gorge is situated in Chafford Hundred. To keep it free, we depend on donations from people like you. 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. 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. It was nice to hear the roar of the lake as we came in to the shore from the stairway. Adventure Day, Sunset Hike, Spring hike, Summer Camping, and Christmas from both worlds, these books features diverse characters and are dedicated to nature and were created to inspire children to get out into the fresh air. Once you get to the staircase, hang onto the rails as this is another area that you could potentially slip on! These bathrooms will be closed during the winter, but a portable bathroom will be available. It truly feels like you are in the mountains when you get down into this ravenous area! From north- or southbound I-43, take exit 92 and head east on Hwy. 511 High Bluff Drive Grafton, WI 53024. The preserve is 72 acres and is located in the town of Grafton, just north of Milwaukee. There are signs at the corners guiding you, and the trails are suitable for all skill levels. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. 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. Experience over 11 million gallons of awe-inspiring wonders at Georgia Aquarium. LION'S DEN GORGE NATURE PRESERVE 511 HIGH BLUFF DRIVE GRAFTON, WI Discover the natural beauty of Ozaukee County. I went here with my family to hike around a little. The geometric mean of 5 samples from a marine beach should not exceed 35 Enterococci / 100 ml of water. The lakeshore is nice and the trails are mostly wide and well kept. I realized why at the end of my 2-hr visit. Learn how to create your own. It can get pretty busy in the summer and on weekends so the colder months have become my favorite time to visit. Predators of the Deep gallery. Parking and bathroom facilities are only located at the entrance to the park at High Bluff Drive. Definitely Che k out the marsh walkway and the frogs! this is a fine place for birding, hiking, and enjoying the lake, there is a wonderful wooden bog walk and a nice pond. After walking up the stairs from the beach, I continued on the trail through the gorge which is accessed by a lovely wooden bridge. This couldnt be more the case than with Lions Den Gorge. Off Road Parking Areas It's really cute! This is a longer hike than just simply appreciating the lake from the top. The park includes massive bluffs, sand dunes, forests, creeks and bridges, hiking trails and stunning vistas of the Lake Michigan shoreline. Stay alert and check for other swimming hazards such as dangerous currents and tides. The property is naturally diverse with terrain ranging from wetlands and a deep gorge to wooded highlands and a steep bluff that provides striking views of Lake Michigan. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); window.fd('form', { My sister-in-law and I went hiking there this morning. Hits: 104324 Size: 72.0 Acres The Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is an "ecological jewel" within the Ozaukee County park system. Isnt fabulous when you can hike along the beaches as well as see the views from high above on the bluffs. It is also just a short drive up the shore to Port Washington which is a great little town to have lunch (or a margarita) at Beanies Mexican Restaurant which have swings instead of bar stools! 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 Natural Area. Follow the river toward the left (bring boots), 2.) You'll get to swim with a snorkel in the Ocean Voyager exhibit, built by The Home Depot, with thousands of amazing animals for the experience of a lifetime. Photos (1,190) Directions; Print/PDF map; Share; More; Length 3.4 km Elevation gain 45 m Route type Circular. All just 30 minutes north of downtown Milwaukee, WI. You do NOT need a sticker to get into this park it is free to the public. . 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! With breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, and plenty of hiking trails, Lion's Den Gorge is a beautiful place to visit throughout the year. This was one of the most beautiful parks Ive ever visited!! No, it is a free state park. Things to Do in Grafton Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve See all things to do Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve 5 106 reviews #1 of 6 things to do in Grafton Nature & Wildlife Areas Visit website Call Write a review About Features animals Learn more about animal welfare in tourism If only I had stayed on the the trail. Little Menomonee River Fish and Wildlife Preserve, Notice of Unclaimed Funds-Sheriffs Department. This park has it all. From the parking lot, go south toward the signs for Quarry lake. Within a short walk from the parking lot, are stunning views of Lake Michigan and the high buffs. It's well worth the journey, however. Easy trails with scenic views and a few hidden spots off the beaten path. Nice place to go for a Walk with some great views. We went under the bridge over the gorge, the trail led us to the stairways, and the big waves of Lake Michigan greeted us. , than say Grant Park and Milwaukee County. These results were posted to Swim Guide on September 5th, 2022 at 11:52 AM. This state park is about a 30 minute drive north from Milwaukee on I-43. The parking is free and there is no fee to enter the park or beach. Green means the beach passed water quality tests 95% of the time or more. From the photos, I never would have guessed this is in Wisconsin. Hike the Bluff Trail to the stairs at Lion's Den Gorge, Hike the shore of Lake Michigan at Doctor's Park, Hike the North and South Beach Trail at Harrington Beach State Park, Hike the Quarry Lake Trail at Harrington Beach State Park, Hike through the Menomonee River at Lime Kiln Park. 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 owned by United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for enhancing populations of migratory birds and other wildlife. This park is a prototype for the planning and implementation of other "Nature Preserves" within the County park system that respects local ecology. Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve has 4.5 stars. Lion's Den Gorge. All beaches will be closed if E. coli in a single sample exceeds 1,000 / 100 ml. The park includes massive bluffs, sand dunes, forests, creeks and bridges, hiking trails and stunning vistas of the Lake Michigan shoreline. For fishing, bird watching, hiking, and website in this browser for planning! Are easy to navigate and marked well the beachs most recent test results failed to meet water tests! 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