In her free time, Dineo loves reading nature books to her daughter, cooking, and baking. Recreational public beaches in Wisconsin are tested May through September. This is a very . These trails have an average 4.6-star rating from 1,113 AllTrails community reviews. See Legal. Always cooler near the lake. Please report your pollution concerns so Affiliates can help keep other beach-goers safe. Its hard to believe this is in Wisconsin it was an epic adventure for us. Bird Watching 511 High Bluff Dr, Grafton, WI 53024-9535, $$ - $$$ American Bar Vegetarian Friendly. 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 can get pretty busy in the summer and on weekends so the colder months have become my favorite time to visit. The OWLT holds a conservation easement on the property, which guides the passive recreational development of the park. You can see them in action in our Under the Boardwalk presentation. The park includes massive bluffs, sand dunes, forests, creeks and bridges, hiking trails and stunning vistas of the Lake Michigan shoreline. Yes it is. Many families havent been to the Lake Michigan shoreline and its not that far (and beautiful!). Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve has 4.5 stars. Hits: 104324 Size: 72.0 Acres The Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is an "ecological jewel" within the Ozaukee County park system. 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. Fishing You'll receive your first newsletter soon! It offers stunning views of Lake Michigan and high buffs. Join Milwaukee Riverkeeper for an event this summer! The lakeshore is nice and the trails are mostly wide and well kept. , than say Grant Park and Milwaukee County. Green means the beachs most recent test results met relevant water quality standards. The Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is located in the city of Grafton. Milwaukee : Long Weekend in the Brew City Beyond The Miles Travel Blog. It offers stunning views of Lake Michigan and high buffs. Lion's Den Gorge. This park has it all. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. I went here with my family to hike around a little. Once you get to the staircase, hang onto the rails as this is another area that you could potentially slip on! 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. I went for the second time this weekend after discovering that this place existed. Did you know that you can driveabout 90 minutes to a seemingly tropical destination?! Low priority beaches are sampled at least once per week. My children came along. 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. There are many benches located throughout the trail when you need to rest. This park is a prototype for the planning and implementation of other "Nature Preserves" within the County park system that respects local ecology. This is beautiful! 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. There are 3 waterfalls here, mostly under 5 ft high, see if you can find them all! It is an especially beautiful place in the spring and fall. The Ozaukee County Planning and Parks Department recently completed the construction of a new pavilion building at Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve. This is definitely worth a visit. This trail is 2.1 mi long with an elevation gain of 147 ft. It's really cute! What hotels are near Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve? 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. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. this is a fine place for birding, hiking, and enjoying the lake, there is a wonderful wooden bog walk and a nice pond. What a lovely spot to explore. All things travel and running around the world. We love the variety of trails and the rocky beach area is beautiful! Q. Get to know this 3.4-km circular trail near Grafton, Wisconsin. Follow the paved path down toward the lake on the north side of the parking lot Ozaukee County121 W. Main St.P.O. Beautiful views of Lake Michigan, and very easy hiking for new adventurers. You won't need a vehicle pass or any paid admission to visit the preserve. We may manually set the status for a specific beach if we have concerns about the sampling protocol, if there is an emergency, if monitoring practices don't exist or have recently changed, or other reasons that render this site "special.". Looked like a picture perfect spot putting it on the WI list! Wear . Thank you! What a beautiful place. This means that rather than displaying current data it displays the beach's average water quality for that year. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Off Road Parking Areas The Lion's Den Gorge is situated in Chafford Hundred. Sign in. This trail is estimated to be 2.1 mi long and takes on average 45 min to hike. 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. For those that want to see the gorge/lake, follow signs for the "Bluff trail". I know the color of the water is crazy. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. Leave a little bit earlier if you have time so that you can do both! Its definitely one of the most beautiful parks Ive visited. And also beautiful. Follow the signs along the Gorge loop toward the "Stairs". Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve is open Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri. There are so many landscapes to see ranging from the beach to the bluffs and the wetland. Best trails in Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve. This map was created by a user. However I highly suggest taking the journey to the water. AllTrails has 1 great trails for hiking and more. If you love crowds and dogs go for it, not my thing. Places To Stay. With beautiful sights. The beach can be accessed from multiple locations from the walking trails, as well as from the parking area. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. If you are craving an island vacation Lions Den Gorge is definitely worth a drive! The park includes massive bluffs, sand dunes, forests, creeks and bridges, hiking trails and stunning vistas of the Lake Michigan shoreline. Explore one of 1 easy hiking trails in Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve that are great for the whole family. Many people use this park for nature walks, educational tours and photo shoots. If you're looking to capture some beautiful pictures of Wisconsin, or just want to hike along the shores of Lake Michigan, Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is where you need to be. The clear waters, Sandy beaches. It is definitely a beginners fun easy hike. Where is the best place to hike in Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve? 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. There are over 2 miles of walking trails, which are easy to navigate and marked well. 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. 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. There is a limited parking lot, you might have to park on the street if the parking lot is full. Easy 4.6 (1115) Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve. There is one paved path that will lead to the lake which is a quick 3-5 minute walk. Definitely Che k out the marsh walkway and the frogs! Looking for a more strenuous hike? This entire loop will take you approximately 1 hour from the parking lot to the lake roundtrip. This park is a prototype for the planning and implementation of other Nature Preserves within the county park system that respects local ecology. 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. Both times, the weather was very different and it made the place feel completely different. Hiking: There are a few trails located in the Nature Preserve. 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. 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. If only I had stayed on the the trail. There is no entry fee and the park is situated on the bluff of, The beachfront is shallower, but it seems like there's less bluff erosion here in. A perfect little afternoon adventure. Required fields are marked *. What days are Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve open? Milwaukee Riverkeeper updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. Little Menomonee River Fish and Wildlife Preserve, Notice of Unclaimed Funds-Sheriffs Department. .I have been back multiple times and stayed on the trail because the staircase offers some great scenery and I still get to the same place. Within a short walk from the parking lot, are stunning views of Lake Michigan and the high buffs. The goal of this authorized, lottery gun deer hunting and bow deer hunting is to effectively manage the deer herd and provide for the health of the unique, native vegetation on the Park properties. Downloadable Files From north- or southbound I-43, take exit 92 and head east on Hwy. The Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve is an ecological jewel within the Ozaukee County park system. Picnicking. Stay alert and check for other swimming hazards such as dangerous currents and tides. Don't stop at the gorgeous (pun intended) views from the top, going to the bottom of the Lion's Den Gorge is a must-see all year round! 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. 2.) High priority beaches are sampled at least five times per week. You can park anywhere on the road (Lake Drive) and be a short walk to the main overlook. Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve represents one of the last stretches of undeveloped bluff land along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Youre unlikely to see any lions but you may encounter some beautiful birds in 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. Find the travel option that best suits you. Five story bluffs. Used to be a nature preserve now it's a crowded trampled doggy park. Want to find the best trails in Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve for an adventurous hike or a family trip? adventures and follow local regulations. C, turn left, and go 1.4 miles to High Bluff Dr. Take a right and drive 0.25 miles to the entrance. Beautiful nature scenes. Open full screen to view more. Green means the beach passed water quality tests 95% of the time or more. Great post! Go toward the beach to the right (bring a swimsuit). All beaches will be closed if E. coli in a single sample exceeds 1,000 / 100 ml. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. When sample results are posted on the Wisconsin Beach Health website, Milwaukee Riverkeeper updates Swim Guide. 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! Is this park open on weekends? Such a beautiful gorge! Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve is a great place for fishing, bird watching, hiking, and picnicking. Stunning views abound in Wisconsin; you just need to know where to look. 1.) It's well worth the journey, however. Medium priority beaches are sampled at least twice per week. The Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is located in the city of Grafton. Lion's Den Gorge Natural Area. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Directions Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve safeguards 72 acres of Lake Michigan shoreline and bluffs 20 miles north of Milwaukee. This is a longer hike than just simply appreciating the lake from the top. August 20, 2020 By CityPASS. Lions Den Gorge was actually named after an animal that escaped from the Milwaukee County Zoo and spent several nights in the area. 511 High Bluff Drive Grafton, WI 53024. The geometric mean of 5 samples from a freshwater beach should not exceed 126 E. coli / 100 ml of water. Lots of people not a lot of solitude, too many dogs and thier poo. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. Visit Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve at 511 High Bluff Dr, Grafton, WI 53024. Journey with Gentle Giants - Dive . The Lion's Den Gorge Trail in Grafton, Wisconsin is a great 2 mile family hike down the bluffs to Lake Michigan with swimming and picnic opportunities. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. Beautiful nature scenes. Poison ivy be carefull. From the parking lot, go south toward the signs for Quarry lake. . It's a nice little park not too far off the interstate. Lion's Den Gorge Natural Area. 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. But we think after seeing just how incredible this place looks, youll want to make the drive. OZAUKEE COUNTY PARK SYSTEM . 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. For additional project information, please contact the Department office at 262-238-8257. The views of the high bluffs from the beach are stunning. We made a stop on our way down the coast of Lake Michigan and didn't regret it. I could not get over how beautiful the water of the lake looked from the bluffs. Red means the beachs most recent test results failed to meet water quality standards. 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. 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. Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve is a perfect place to see a beautiful sunrise. The preserve is 72 acres and is located in the town of Grafton, just north of Milwaukee. The main trail is the Lions Den Trail which is just under 2 miles long. The parking is free and there is no fee to enter the park or beach. Easy trails with scenic views and a few hidden spots off the beaten path. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Nice place to go for a Walk with some great views. It's beautiful, there are monarchs flying all around you, and it's an easy hike. 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. Dogs must be on leashes at all times in the park. The bluff overlooking the lake was breathtaking; this park is dog-friendly and wheelchair accessible. Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve, Grafton: "is the park dog frendly" | Check out 7 answers, plus see 106 reviews, articles, and 120 photos of Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 6 attractions in Grafton. This project is expected to greatly enhance the Park user experience. Red means the beach failed water quality tests 40% of the time or more. Worth a visit especially to hang out on the beach area. 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. When we arrived, cars were parking along both sides of the street all the way to the intersection. Here is a great list to get you started. Passed water quality tests at least 95% of the time. Showing results 1 - 60 of 1174. You can potentially follow the river the entire way out, and then trek back on the surrounding farmlands toward the parking lot. The loop trail is about two miles long, but there are intermediate bypasses to facilitate shorter walks. According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is Lion's Den Trail. Its amazing how blue the water is, at points I almost felt like I was looking out into water in the caribbean! . I went to college near Lake Ontario and that lake definitely didnt look this beautiful! How is Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve rated? The grounds are well maintained, there are benches along the way to rest, and it offers stunning views. 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 . Located along the largest of the great lakes, Lake Michigan it features 100 foot tall bluffs along one mile of the lakes shoreline. No, it is a free state park. As you explore the trails, it almost seems as if you're hiking in the, Yelp users havent asked any questions yet about. There are also nice benches throughout the trails to take a break if needed. The purchase, infrastructure development and naming rights of 70 acres of unique shoreline and public beach along Lake Michigan know as the Lion's Den Gorge. . Dogs are only allowed if they stay on their leashes. The park has quickly become a favorite scenic, hiking, and picnic spot for many residents and visitors. The preserve is 72 acres and is located in the town of Grafton, just north of Milwaukee. can be made for group events by visiting our. You can take a bus from Sheboygan to Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve via Milwaukee, Wisconsin & Water, and Grafton . 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