93% of travelers recommend this experience. These bathrooms will be closed during the winter, but a portable bathroom will be available. From the photos, I never would have guessed this is in Wisconsin. 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. formId: '5dd30158b710310026332e04', According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is Lion's Den Trail. It truly feels like you are in the mountains when you get down into this ravenous area! Worth a visit especially to hang out on the beach area. I would love to know the story behind thos! Thank you! The geometric mean of 5 samples from a marine beach should not exceed 35 Enterococci / 100 ml of water. Has anyone walked North toward south Beach from Lions Den and seen the old car on the beach? There are picnic tables and portable toilets available at the park. Gun and bow deer hunting is offered each fall at Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve County Park. It is an especially beautiful place in the spring and fall. Sort by: Show more photos. This project is expected to greatly enhance the Park user experience. . The Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is located in the city of Grafton. Hotels near Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve, Hotels near General Mitchell Airport (MKE), Motels near General Mitchell Airport (MKE), Hotels near Concordia University Wisconsin, Hotels near ITT Technical Institute - Germantown Campus, Things to do near Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve, Werksverkauf Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprngli, Private Water taxi from Split to Brac island, Boat Party - All Inclusive ~ Food & Drinks, NYC Escape Room: Escape the Hydeout, the Mystery of Henry Jekyll, Top Desert Adventure From Fez To Marrakech 3 Days, Luxury Sailing Whale Watch and The Arch (Dec 15 - Apr 15), Comfort (Small Group) Cappadocia Balloon Ride, Spearfishing in South Phu Quoc with the Savage Dragon, View all hotels near Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve on Tripadvisor. Our time in the water in Madison was cut short this summer when we learned about bacteria issues. Directions Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve safeguards 72 acres of Lake Michigan shoreline and bluffs 20 miles north of Milwaukee. The Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts. But I have some exciting news for you. What a beautiful place. There are 1 trails in Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve. The Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve is located in the city of Grafton. My boyfriend and I frequent Lions Den. Wear . Predators of the Deep gallery. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? Swim Guide is a free service. Leave a little bit earlier if you have time so that you can do both! You can see them in action in our Under the Boardwalk presentation. This is definitely worth a visit. Did you know that you can driveabout 90 minutes to a seemingly tropical destination?! Beautiful nature scenes. And also beautiful. Within a short walk from the parking lot, are stunning views of Lake Michigan and the high buffs. This year, donors have helped to fund urgent monitoring of beach closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, expand our support for volunteer water quality monitoring, and create groundbreaking data sharing resources for scientists. Once you get to the bottom there are two paths you can take: 1.) A single sample at a freshwater beach should not exceed 235 E. coli / 100 ml of water. Photos (1,190) Directions; Print/PDF map; Share; More; Length 3.4 km Elevation gain 45 m Route type Circular. Here is a great list to get you started. Parking is free and there is no fee to enter the park. I went to college near Lake Ontario and that lake definitely didnt look this beautiful! All things travel and running around the world. 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. can be made for group events by visiting our. When you are done with this adventure, you can check out the Water Street Brewery they are family-friendly and a sweet spot to relax and plan another trip to the gorge! The schools are opening soon, are you ready? Both times, the weather was very different and it made the place feel completely different. I know the color of the water is crazy. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Follow the paved path down toward the lake on the north side of the parking lot Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Milwaukee Riverkeeper updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. We depend on financial support from individuals and organizations to restore and protect access to water for all people. Such a beautiful gorge! This 73-acre park offers plenty of hiking trails, boardwalks through the wetlands, picnic areas, scenic views, and restrooms. We made a stop on our way down the coast of Lake Michigan and didn't regret it. This map was created by a user. It offers stunning views of Lake Michigan and high buffs. 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. Hiking Its hard to believe that prior to Ozaukee county purchasing the 73 acres in 2002, this land was privately owned. Want to view more enchanting spots in Wisconsin? At the end of the trail, you will reach a set of stairs that will take you down to the beach below. See the beach description for more information regarding their special status. Lion's Den Gorge is a gorgeous nature preserve featuring a variety of unique nature scenes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); window.fd('form', { 2.) OZAUKEE COUNTY PARK SYSTEM . Lion's Den is gorgeous! To keep it free, we depend on donations from people like you. Its beautiful. Parking and bathroom facilities are only located at the entrance to the park at High Bluff Drive. If you arent from Grafton or the neighboring areas, chances are you havent. The building includes indoor bathrooms and an open-air picnic shelter designed by Kueny Architects, LLC and constructed by Mike Koenig Construction Co, Inc. Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve is the most visited park in the Ozaukee County Park System and until now, the park was serviced by rental portable toilets only, which were inadequate due to increased park usage. For questions about Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve, contact the park caretaker at (262)241-5868. This park offers fantastic views; we started hiking from the boardwalk across the parking lot, enjoyed a gentle hike on a wheelchair path. These trails have an average 4.6-star rating from 1,113 AllTrails community reviews. Please read and obey all posted regulations while enjoying your day at the beach. Always obey signs at the beach or advisories from official government agencies. Nice place to go for a Walk with some great views. Box 994Port Washington, WI 53074Ph: 262-284-9411. Parking and bathroom facilities are only located at the entrance to the park at High Bluff Drive. Located along the largest of the great lakes, Lake Michigan it features 100 foot tall bluffs along one mile of the lakes shoreline. The first time I went, I was a little bored. This entire loop will take you approximately 1 hour from the parking lot to the lake roundtrip. The clear waters, Sandy beaches. In her free time, Dineo loves reading nature books to her daughter, cooking, and baking. Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve is not just any park you run into in Wisconsin its like a tropical destination in the Midwest. From north- or southbound I-43, take exit 92 and head east on Hwy. Lion's Den Gorge Natural Area. Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve is a perfect place to see a beautiful sunrise. The park includes massive bluffs, sand dunes, forests, creeks and bridges, hiking trails and stunning vistas of the Lake Michigan shoreline. Its definitely one of the most beautiful parks Ive visited. This state park is about a 30 minute drive north from Milwaukee on I-43. Yes it is. Plenty of parking too. 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. Hits: 104324 Size: 72.0 Acres The Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is an "ecological jewel" within the Ozaukee County park system. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. There was evidence of recent bluff collapses at a couple of spots on the beach. Port Washington Marina 106 N. Lake St., Port Washington, WI - 262-284-6606 We are fortunate to live in a city so abundant with outdoor fun, summer festivals and community events. All beaches will be closed if E. coli in a single sample exceeds 1,000 / 100 ml. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is sampled weekly from May 29th to September 3th. The OWLT holds a conservation easement on the property, which guides the passive recreational development of the park. They love the lake hikes that we go on. 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. Hotels near Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve: Restaurants near Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve: 99% of travelers recommend this experience. They are posted when a single sample exceeds 235 E. coli / 100 ml. 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. This status does not indicate current water quality. You could take a stroller or wheelchair through most of and just skip going down to the water. You do NOT need a sticker to get into this park it is free to the public. Follow the signs along the Gorge loop toward the "Stairs". This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. If only I had stayed on the the trail. Looks like a gorgeous hike. Experience 10 million gallons of awe-inspiring wonders in more than 60 habitats. Visit Truist Pier 225 to meet our California sea lions. Walk straight from the parking lot across the field and look for the staircase down to the lake among the trees. The parking is free and there is no fee to enter the park or beach. Is this park open on weekends? Medium priority beaches are sampled at least twice per week. The beach can be accessed from multiple locations . Experience over 11 million gallons of awe-inspiring wonders at Georgia Aquarium. Do not miss it if you are in the area. There are many benches located throughout the trail when you need to rest. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve. Lots of options for coffee or a meal, including Fiddleheads Coffee! My children came along. There are over 2 miles of walking trails, which are easy to navigate and marked well. Swim Guide shares the best information we have at the moment you ask for it. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 45 min to complete. There is ample parking, full bathrooms, and picnic areas. Yellow means the beach passed water quality tests 60-95% of the time. There are 3 waterfalls here, mostly under 5 ft high, see if you can find them all! They are posted when a single sample exceeds 235 E. coli / 100 ml or when the geometric mean of samples collected over a 30-day period exceeds 126 E. coli / 100 ml. While the gorge is pretty and wild, the hike there is also spectacular, tracing a dramatic Lake Michigan cliff. 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! 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! beautiful views. Majority of this location has easy walking trails with beautiful views. Get Directions. After leaving the gorge, make plans to visit Port Washington its the perfect day trip destination. Beautiful views of Lake Michigan, and very easy hiking for new adventurers. The Cedar Loop trail was peaceful with scent from the cedar trees. The hardest part of the hike is the steps down to the water. Do not miss it if you are in the area. Learn more on the Ozaukee County website. You will be reward w Park right behind Main Street, and you can go on trails on either side of the river, or you can get your rain boots on and go through the river and see these bluffs with your own eyes up close. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 45 min to complete. Learn how to create your own. Read more information here. Lake Michigan looks beautiful and so blue. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. It was nice to hear the roar of the lake as we came in to the shore from the stairway. Join Milwaukee Riverkeeper for an event this summer! Used to be a nature preserve now it's a crowded trampled doggy park. There are also nice benches throughout the trails to take a break if needed. Stunning views of Lake Michigan. Are the stairs down to the beach maintained in winter? FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. It is definitely a beginners fun easy hike. The park features a 7262-foot sandy beach that is accessed by hiking trail and a long set of stairs. Lion's Den Gorge is a gorgeous nature preserve featuring a variety of unique nature scenes. Red means the water at the site has water quality issues or there is an emergency. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. This is beautiful! What is the longest trail in Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve? Your photos are great. 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. Q. 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 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. Visit Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve at 511 High Bluff Dr, Grafton, WI 53024. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. I love this hiking spot, it's really easy and has the best views. These improvements serve as the infrastructure to encourage nature education and appreciation, by providing public access to many unique ecosystems. This entire loop will take you approximately 1 hour from the parking lot to the lake roundtrip. The trails are well marked and easy to navigate. 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. 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. It offers stunning views of Lake Michigan and high buffs. 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. 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. iI is easy to choose various length of trails. I think the Great Lakes are such an underrated spot. They are open from 6 am 9 pm every day of the week. Ive heard it gets busier on the weekend; so take advantage and go check it out during the week, if you are able. I could not get over how beautiful the water of the lake looked from the bluffs. Poison ivy be carefull. 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. See Legal. 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. Heres what you need to know about this special park. Grey means there is no current water quality information, the beach is under construction, there has been an event that has rendered water quality information unreliable or unavailable. This was one of the most beautiful parks Ive ever visited!! 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 This is one of the more hidden of the Lake front parks, It is so hidden that you may find yourself driving in circles trying to find it but it is worth the effort. Lion's Den Gorge Natural Area. The park includes massive bluffs, sand dunes, forests, creeks and bridges, hiking trails and stunning vistas of the Lake Michigan shoreline. Stunning views of Lake Michigan. This trail is 2.1 mi long with an elevation gain of 147 ft. Lots of birds chirping all along in spite of the late season, so I presume this park would be a great place for birding too. Completely agree with you That water is a stunning blue. This means that this site has been issued a Blue Flag status for the current swimming season. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. 1.) Website. Travelers should use caution and not stray from the generous paths as there is poison Ivy just beyond the edges of some trails, The trails are well marked and mapped. Your email address will not be published. Many people use this park for nature walks, educational tours and photo shoots. . This state park is about a 30 minute drive north from Milwaukee on I-43. Its hard to believe thats a lake. There are many benches located throughout the trail when you need to rest. Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve is located about a half hour drive north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the town of Grafton. Trail, you will reach a set of stairs map ; share ; more ; Length km... 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