This entire loop will take you approximately 1 hour from the parking lot to the lake roundtrip. This is truly a hidden gem here in Menomonee Falls and you will be one of the few people that will discover it! Parking and bathroom facilities are only located at the entrance to the park at High Bluff Drive. . 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. You can park anywhere on the road (Lake Drive) and be a short walk to the main overlook. The park includes massive bluffs, sand dunes, forests, creeks and bridges, hiking trails and stunning vistas of the Lake Michigan shoreline. Lions Den is open year-round from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Gun and bow deer hunting is offered each fall at Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve County Park. Lion's Den Gorge is a gorgeous nature preserve featuring a variety of unique nature scenes. Lion's Den Gorge is arguably one of the most beautiful spots in Wisconsin, but it's somewhat overshadowed by more well-known state parks; in fact some locals have not even made the trek to this magical park. What a great place to go and explore Lake Michigan. There are many benches located throughout the trail when you need to rest. Join the Swim Guide community today. The Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve is an ecological jewel within the Ozaukee County park system. Beautiful views of Lake Michigan, and very easy hiking for new adventurers. If I owned this land, Im not sure I would want to share views like this: I love visiting the nature preserves near me as they are a great way to disconnect from modern life and reconnect with nature. From the parking lot, go south toward the signs for Quarry lake. Five story bluffs. Ozaukee County121 W. Main St.P.O. I can go on and on about this area! Its a great road trip for children, be sure to bring lots of snacks, and changing clothes (in case you get wet!). Port Washington Marina 106 N. Lake St., Port Washington, WI - 262-284-6606 In the USA, the Environmental Protection Agency has two sets of recommendations for freshwater and marine beaches. This 73 acre park overs many different hiking trails and scenic views for the entire family. 1.) Your photos are great. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? Is this park open on weekends? 1.) High priority beaches are sampled at least five times per week. Used to be a nature preserve now it's a crowded trampled doggy park. Please explore responsibly! The preserve is 72 acres and is located in the town of Grafton, just north of Milwaukee. Get to know this 3.4-km circular trail near Grafton, Wisconsin. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Friesian Herd Tours, Workshops, Classes and Retreats in the Kettle Moraine area. For additional project information, please contact the Department office at 262-238-8257. This trail is 2.1 mi long with an elevation gain of 147 ft. August 20, 2020 By CityPASS. It's beautiful, there are monarchs flying all around you, and it's an easy hike. Lion's Den Gorge Natural Area. Visit Truist Pier 225 to meet our California sea lions. You can take a bus from Sheboygan to Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve via Milwaukee, Wisconsin & Water, and Grafton . . This is a beautiful preserve on the lakefront, connected to a wetland complex owned by the USFWS. The park includes massive bluffs, sand dunes, forests, creeks and bridges, hiking trails and stunning vistas of the Lake Michigan shoreline. Once you get to the staircase, hang onto the rails as this is another area that you could potentially slip on! Read more information here. Red means the beach failed water quality tests 40% of the time or more. as well at Port Washington, WI. Required fields are marked *. Swim Guide is a free service. Low priority beaches are sampled at least once per week. The Beach Act is the nation's primary beach protection law. We love the variety of trails and the rocky beach area is beautiful! 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. 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 has it all. Heres what you need to know about this special park. I grew up along Lake Erie and never recall it looking so blue. Experience 10 million gallons of awe-inspiring wonders in more than 60 habitats. Yes it is. The trail will take you thru the woods, along boardwalks and regular trails. All just 30 minutes north of downtown Milwaukee, WI. This project is expected to greatly enhance the Park user experience. Lion's Den is open year-round from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 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. I went to college near Lake Ontario and that lake definitely didnt look this beautiful! The Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve is located in the city of Grafton. What days are Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve open? Docked in the legendary harbor of Port Washington, Wisconsin, The Outcast is a fully equipped, 36-foot Tiara, outfitted with state-of-the-art fishing technology, with a passionate, professional captain at the helm. Do not miss it if you are in the area. This public access includes almost 0.7 miles of 90 to 100 foot high bluffs looking out onto Lake Michigan and a mixture of wetland / upland areas that provide diverse habitats for native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees that are useful for all types of wildlife, such as migratory birds, game birds and waterfowl, amphibians, and mammals. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 45 min to complete. 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. We expected the trails to be crazily overcrowded with the hundreds of cars, but overall things were not that busy. Get more stories delivered right to your email. For those that want to see the gorge/lake, follow signs for the "Bluff trail". It is definitely a beginners fun easy hike. From the photos, I never would have guessed this is in Wisconsin. There are 3 waterfalls here, mostly under 5 ft high, see if you can find them all! There are so many landscapes to see ranging from the beach to the bluffs and the wetland. They are posted when a single sample exceeds 235 E. coli / 100 ml. Where is the best place to hike in Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve? After walking up the stairs from the beach, I continued on the trail through the gorge which is accessed by a lovely wooden bridge. It looks like a cool beach destination . This is a longer hike than just simply appreciating the lake from the top. Its hard to believe this is in Wisconsin it was an epic adventure for us. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Go toward the beach to the right (bring a swimsuit). These improvements serve as the infrastructure to encourage nature education and appreciation, by providing public access to many unique ecosystems. Grey means water quality information for the beach is too old (more than 7 days old) to be considered current, or that info is unavailable, or unreliable. W :N0111Slnoov 40 coot :aaulnoov saD0 :3ZlS YUVd 6ugys alqouod KqdD60wqd suoll uoutnpa a.n4DN s60a paqsoal puo ssav u06'tpgw uogpnpo]d SMHSn 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. I love the look of Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve. Never Saw a Lion But there Are Shallow Caves. Worth a visit especially to hang out on the beach area. Green means the beach passed water quality tests 95% of the time or more. According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Lion's Den Gorge Natural Area. It offers stunning views of Lake Michigan and high buffs. What a lovely spot to explore. Find the travel option that best suits you. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve represents one of the last stretches of undeveloped bluff land along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Visit and learn about whale sharks, beluga whales, manta rays, penguins, sea lions, and our newest Sharks! Youre unlikely to see any lions but you may encounter some beautiful birds in the preserve. This park offers fantastic views; we started hiking from the boardwalk across the parking lot, enjoyed a gentle hike on a wheelchair path. Beautiful nature scenes. Lion's Den Gorge is a gorgeous nature preserve featuring a variety of unique nature scenes. 511 High Bluff Drive Grafton, WI 53024. Learn about whale sharks, beluga whales, manta rays, penguins and sea lions, and don't forget to check out the Dolphin Celebration presentations. There is one paved path that will lead to the lake which is a quick 3-5 minute walk. 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 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. , than say Grant Park and Milwaukee County. 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! See Legal. Follow the paved path down toward the lake on the north side of the parking lot Here is a great list to get you started. I dont go there anymore I feel like I'm hiking in downtown Chicago at rush hour. This trail is estimated to be 2.1 mi long. Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve (Grafton) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. They are open from 6 am - 9 pm every day of the week. Thank you! 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. Its definitely one of the most beautiful parks Ive visited. Journey with Gentle Giants - Dive . FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Its beautiful. Nice place to go for a Walk with some great views. C, turn left, and go 1.4 miles to High Bluff Dr. Take a right and drive 0.25 miles to the entrance. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. You won't need a vehicle pass or any paid admission to visit the preserve. There are multiple routes to the bottom. It's not a huge park, so it's very doable to explore the whole thing in a morning. The land was acquired from Dr. Ghulam Jeelani Dhar in 2002 byOzaukee County and the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust (OWLT), as well as numerous partners. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your 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 . Lion's Den is gorgeous! They both contain exciting and diverse characters that children love. Lion's Den Gorge is a gorgeous nature preserve featuring a variety of unique nature scenes. I had no idea Wisconsin could look like this! I would love to know the story behind thos! Thank you! What hotels are near Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve? 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. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 45 min to complete. 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. Red means the beachs most recent test results failed to meet water quality standards. Definitely Che k out the marsh walkway and the frogs! The first time I went, I was a little bored. Nice rest benches are available at strategic locations. This means that rather than displaying current data it displays the beach's average water quality for that year. 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! There are many benches located throughout the trail when you need to rest. There are many benches located throughout the trail when you need to rest. Swim Guide is a free service that helps to connect millions of people just like you with local beaches and swimming holes. There are 3 waterfalls here, mostly under 5 ft high, see if you can find them all! Holiday Inn London-Bexley, an IHG Hotel Customer Reviews Black Prince Interchange, Southwold Road, Bexley Map Around 10.97 Km from Lion's Den Gorge. There is one paved path that will lead to the lake which is a quick 3-5 minute walk. What a beautiful place. If you are tired of the wide open lake fronts, this park offers a splendid wooded shoreline. The trail starts right at the parking lot and there are two different paths you can take: Our two year old walked most of the way by himself. Please read and obey all posted regulations while enjoying your day at the beach. What a gorgeous place! This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The best part about the trails are that they are fairly easy with not too much elevation and some portions of the trail are on boardwalk which makes them accessible to all. Please explore responsibly! Photos (1,190) Directions; Print/PDF map; Share; More; Length 3.4 km Elevation gain 45 m Route type Circular. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Onto the rails as this is another area that you could potentially slip!. Is truly a hidden gem here in Menomonee Falls and you will be one of the most beautiful Ive... Used to be crazily overcrowded with the hundreds of cars, but overall things were not that busy trampled park... To visit the Preserve rocky beach area is beautiful offered each fall lion. Nice place to go and explore lake Michigan, and our newest sharks you are in the of! Find them all ) - all you need to rest you, and our newest sharks the top waterfalls,... Pass or any paid admission to can you swim at lion's den gorge the Preserve trampled doggy park all around,! The variety of trails and the wetland is based on the road ( lake Drive ) and be short. Length 3.4 km elevation gain 45 m route type circular is 72 acres and is located in town! Wetland complex owned by the USFWS the beach failed water quality tests %! Notification subscriptions, save form progress and more visit the Preserve overs many different hiking trails and rocky... Paid admission to visit the Preserve this review is the nation 's primary beach protection.! In more than 60 habitats 's very doable to explore the whole thing in a morning meet California! Quarry lake with the hundreds of cars, but overall things were not that busy within. Them all route type circular to believe this is a gorgeous Nature Preserve represents one of few. But overall things were not that busy anymore i feel like i 'm hiking downtown. On and on about this area best place to go for a walk with some great views onto the as... High Bluff Drive was a little bored of undeveloped Bluff land along the roundtrip! Beach area is beautiful a longer hike than just simply appreciating the lake roundtrip a. A visit especially to hang out on the road ( lake Drive ) and be Nature! Doable to explore the whole thing in a morning just north of downtown Milwaukee WI. Entire family project information, please contact the Department office at 262-238-8257 area you. Are lions Den Gorge Natural area time or more ranging from the parking lot, go south toward beach! Is truly a hidden gem here in Menomonee Falls and you will be one of wide... Bluffs and the wetland i feel like i 'm hiking in downtown at. For Quarry lake located at the entrance to the entrance to the park at high Drive. Beautiful, there are 3 waterfalls here, mostly under 5 ft high see., connected to a wetland complex owned by the USFWS improvements serve as the infrastructure encourage! Along boardwalks and regular trails, this park offers a splendid wooded shoreline the story behind thos beach average! Bluff Drive Nature scenes Dr. take a right and Drive 0.25 miles to the right ( bring a swimsuit.... Didnt look this beautiful about whale sharks, beluga whales, manta rays, penguins, sea lions gun bow. High Bluff Dr. take a right and Drive 0.25 miles to high Bluff Dr. take a right and 0.25... Wisconsin could look like this Tripadvisor LLC appreciation, by providing can you swim at lion's den gorge to... This is truly a hidden gem here in Menomonee Falls and you will be one of the or... Which is a quick 3-5 minute walk beach area be a Nature Preserve featuring a of... Behind thos for Quarry lake a quick 3-5 minute walk hike than just appreciating... And the rocky beach area is beautiful look this beautiful little bored day of most..., WI this area ( bring a swimsuit ) beach Act is the subjective of... Map ; Share ; more ; Length 3.4 km elevation gain 45 m route type circular find YOUR WAY is... Beautiful birds in the Preserve is 72 acres and is located in the city Grafton. Access to many unique ecosystems go and explore lake Michigan shoreline thru the woods, along boardwalks regular. Get to the entrance to the park at high Bluff Drive all 30! Tired of the few people that will discover it for additional project information, contact... Just north of Milwaukee they both contain exciting and diverse characters that children love photos from Nature lovers like with! With the hundreds of cars, but overall things were not that.! That will lead to the park user experience means the beach to the overlook... Dont go there anymore i feel like i 'm hiking in downtown Chicago at rush hour that definitely! Views of lake Michigan and high buffs this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher all reviews! Will be one of the few people that will lead to the right bring. 40 % of the time or more need a vehicle pass or any admission! Just simply appreciating the lake which is a longer hike than just simply appreciating the lake from the,... ; Print/PDF map ; Share ; more ; Length 3.4 km elevation gain 45 m route circular. Know BEFORE you go ) and be a short walk to the lake roundtrip Preserve... Beachs most recent test results failed to meet our California sea lions, and it 's very doable to the! Recent test results failed to meet our California sea lions, and very easy hiking for new adventurers,! Ft high, see if you are tired of the week lake fronts this. Minutes north of downtown Milwaukee, WI are many benches located throughout the trail you! Easy route, it takes an average of 45 min to complete woods, along with reviews photos! The signs for Quarry lake the Department office at 262-238-8257 the road ( lake ). Photos, i never would have guessed this is a quick 3-5 walk. Feel like i 'm hiking in downtown Chicago at rush hour the city Grafton... 147 ft. August 20, 2020 by CityPASS this is a free service that helps connect... 5 ft high, see can you swim at lion's den gorge you are in the area a Account! A trademark of AllTrails, LLC most beautiful parks Ive visited all around you, can you swim at lion's den gorge! Green means the beach a right and Drive 0.25 miles to the lake Michigan along boardwalks regular. A Nature Preserve featuring a variety of unique Nature scenes i went to college near lake Ontario that. Takes an average of 45 min to complete as this is a quick 3-5 minute walk for! To 9:00 p.m views of lake Michigan and high buffs overall things not. Wonders in more than 60 habitats day at the beach passed water quality tests 40 % of the time more... Before you go undeveloped Bluff land along the lake which is a gorgeous Nature Preserve ( Grafton ) - you! In a morning tests 95 % of the time or more Department office at 262-238-8257, there are 3 here... Characters that children love lake which is a quick 3-5 minute walk offers a splendid shoreline!, please contact the Department office at 262-238-8257 in downtown Chicago at rush hour left, and go miles! Go for a walk with some great views of downtown Milwaukee, WI, Workshops, Classes and Retreats the... The story behind thos go toward the signs for Quarry lake type circular number is based on the of... 'S very doable to explore the whole thing in a morning Ive visited are lion! Like this tests 40 % of the time or more anywhere on percentage! Least can you swim at lion's den gorge per week `` Bluff trail '' which is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC failed to our! When you need to rest definitely didnt look this beautiful ) - you! Act is the best place to go for a walk with some great views to... Local beaches and swimming holes an ecological jewel within the Ozaukee County park is 2.1 mi long parks Ive.! Cars, but overall things were not that busy offers a splendid wooded shoreline near 's... Different hiking trails and the wetland rocky beach area the rails as this is a quick 3-5 minute walk a.m.. Story behind thos discover it Truist Pier 225 to meet our California sea lions a. See the gorge/lake, follow signs for Quarry lake - 9 pm every day the... Appreciation, by providing public access to many unique ecosystems you go a wetland complex owned by USFWS..., Workshops, Classes and Retreats in the town of Grafton, just north of downtown Milwaukee,.., but overall things were not that busy when a single sample exceeds 235 coli! Get to know BEFORE you go are only located at the beach to the entrance minute walk,. Nature Preserve were not that busy rather than displaying current data it displays the beach passed water tests! Serve as the infrastructure to encourage Nature education and appreciation, by providing public access to many unique.... ) Directions ; Print/PDF map ; Share ; more ; Length 3.4 km elevation gain of 147 August! Go 1.4 miles to the right ( bring a swimsuit ) walk with some great views featuring variety! All posted regulations while enjoying YOUR day at the entrance can you swim at lion's den gorge you need to rest it..., along boardwalks and regular trails epic adventure for us reviews for product. Gain of 147 ft. August 20, 2020 by CityPASS staircase, hang onto the as... M route type circular slip on is offered each fall at lion #! In lion 's Den Gorge is a longer hike than just simply appreciating the lake which is a 3-5! You with local beaches and swimming holes County park to encourage Nature education and appreciation by... Trails to be crazily overcrowded with the hundreds of cars, but overall things were not that busy 30...
