This trail is 2.1 mi long with an elevation gain of 147 ft. Your photos are great. This means that rather than displaying current data it displays the beach's average water quality for that year. We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 147 to 147 feet in elevation gain. Gun and bow deer hunting is offered each fall at Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve County Park. This is one of the best kept secrets in SE WI. Don't miss the sea lion presentation and Dolphin Celebration presentations or The 4D Theater. 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 . You won't need a vehicle pass or any paid admission to visit the preserve. 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. Nice place to go for a Walk with some great views. View photos of scenic trails, hikes, and more. Experience 10 million gallons of awe-inspiring wonders in more than 60 habitats. The trails are well marked and easy to navigate. Book Now. Want to view more enchanting spots in Wisconsin? I love the look of Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve. 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. There are 1 trails in Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. 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. 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. Picnicking. We depend on financial support from individuals and organizations to restore and protect access to water for all people. We love the variety of trails and the rocky beach area is beautiful! Used to be really pretty but it has been hiked to death the bluff is falling away the wildflowers are trampled to death and invasive plants are taking the park because the parks department has no clue. When we arrived, cars were parking along both sides of the street all the way to the intersection. What days are Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve open? Stunning views of Lake Michigan and high bluffs. Box 994Port Washington, WI 53074Ph: 262-284-9411. 20 km. formId: '5dd30158b710310026332e04', The park includes massive bluffs, sand dunes, forests, creeks and bridges, hiking trails and stunning vistas of the Lake Michigan shoreline. Dogs must be on leashes at all times in the park. Lion's Den Trail. With beautiful sights. Easy 4.6 (1115) Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve. Red means the water at the site has water quality issues or there is an emergency. It was an unbelievable experience; we had the entire beach to ourselves, the trail to the lakeshore is less than a mile. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 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. From north- or southbound I-43, take exit 92 and head east on Hwy. 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. the walk along the bluff is beautiful with stairs descending down to the beach. 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. The first time I came here I couldn't believe the color of the water, it looks like you are in the Caribbean! The park features a 7262-foot sandy beach that is accessed by hiking trail and a long set of stairs. There are multiple routes to the bottom. as well at Port Washington, WI. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Follow the paved path down toward the lake on the north side of the parking lot 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. Open full screen to view more. 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. Visit Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve at 511 High Bluff Dr, Grafton, WI 53024. This was one of the most beautiful parks Ive ever visited!! Its hard to believe thats a lake. 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. Places To Stay. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. All just 30 minutes north of downtown Milwaukee, WI. 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! Beautiful nature scenes. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Plenty of parking too. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. I went for the second time this weekend after discovering that this place existed. I could not get over how beautiful the water of the lake looked from the bluffs. My first time checking out Lion's Den Gorge Preserve. Once you get to the bottom there are two paths you can take: 1.) Experience over 11 million gallons of awe-inspiring wonders at Georgia Aquarium. Sort by: Show more photos. At the end of the trail, you will reach a set of stairs that will take you down to the beach below. When sample results are posted on the Wisconsin Beach Health website, Milwaukee Riverkeeper updates Swim Guide. Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is located about a half hour drive north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the town of Grafton. 2.) Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. The Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve is located in the city of Grafton. 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. The park includes massive bluffs, sand dunes, forests, creeks and bridges, hiking trails and stunning vistas of the Lake Michigan shoreline. This state park is about a 30 minute drive north from Milwaukee on I-43. 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. Where is the best place to hike in Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve? 93% of travelers recommend this experience. Visit Truist Pier 225 to meet our California sea lions. Nice rest benches are available at strategic locations. For questions about Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve, contact the park caretaker at (262)241-5868. It offers stunning views of Lake Michigan and high buffs. Bird Watching They both contain exciting and diverse characters that children love. AllTrails has 1 great trails for hiking and more. There are 3 waterfalls here, mostly under 5 ft high, see if you can find them all! No, it is a free state park. There are over 2 miles of walking trails, which are easy to navigate and marked well. The trail starts right at the parking lot and there are two different paths you can take: Location and Hours 511 High Bluff Dr, Grafton, WI Lion's Den is open year-round from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. From the parking lot, go south toward the signs for Quarry lake. While the gorge is pretty and wild, the hike there is also spectacular, tracing a dramatic Lake Michigan cliff. This entire loop will take you approximately 1 hour from the parking lot to the lake roundtrip. There are over 2 miles of walking trails, which are easy to navigate and marked well. Sad it's been loved to death and poorly managed. 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. This means that this site has been issued a Blue Flag status for the current swimming season. Our two year old walked most of the way by himself. It's beautiful, there are monarchs flying all around you, and it's an easy hike. Green means the beachs most recent test results met relevant water quality standards. Parking and bathroom facilities are only located at the entrance to the park at High Bluff Drive. A north drive north of Milwaukee will take you to another world. Wisconsins tropical destination. I would never have expected that just outside of Milwaukee. 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. 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 number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Photos (1,190) Directions; Print/PDF map; Share; More; Length 3.4 km Elevation gain 45 m Route type Circular. Which you wouldnt necessarily have to do. These results were posted to Swim Guide on September 5th, 2022 at 11:52 AM. The Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is located in the city of Grafton. You could take a stroller or wheelchair through most of and just skip going down to the water. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. You can take a bus from Sheboygan to Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve via Milwaukee, Wisconsin & Water, and Grafton . Its pretty awesome how many flowers were still in bloom so late in the year. 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. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Lake Michigan looks beautiful and so blue. Yelp users havent asked any questions yet about Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve. I love this hiking spot, it's really easy and has the best views. The park includes massive bluffs, sand dunes, forests, creeks and bridges, hiking trails and stunning vistas of the Lake Michigan shoreline. Never Saw a Lion But there Are Shallow Caves. Port Washington Marina 106 N. Lake St., Port Washington, WI - 262-284-6606 Its amazing how blue the water is, at points I almost felt like I was looking out into water in the caribbean! 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. The Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is located in the city of Grafton. From the photos, I never would have guessed this is in Wisconsin. Lots of options for coffee or a meal, including Fiddleheads Coffee! Follow the signs along the Gorge loop toward the "Stairs". It truly feels like you are in the mountains when you get down into this ravenous area! If only I had stayed on the the trail. If you are craving an island vacation Lions Den Gorge is definitely worth a drive! Get more stories delivered right to your email. The beach can be accessed from multiple locations . High priority beaches are sampled at least five times per week. This park offers fantastic views; we started hiking from the boardwalk across the parking lot, enjoyed a gentle hike on a wheelchair path. My children came along. How many trails are in Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve. Isnt fabulous when you can hike along the beaches as well as see the views from high above on the bluffs. This 73 acre park overs many different hiking trails and scenic views for the entire family. See Legal. 2.) Love Wisconsin? The north end of the trail has a set of wooden stairs to descend to the beach. My boyfriend and I frequent Lions Den. We expected the trails to be crazily overcrowded with the hundreds of cars, but overall things were not that busy. 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. 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. See the beach description for more information regarding their special status. In her free time, Dineo loves reading nature books to her daughter, cooking, and baking. 511 High Bluff Dr, Grafton, WI 53024-9535, $$ - $$$ American Bar Vegetarian Friendly. The park features a 7262-foot sandy beach that is accessed by hiking trail and a long set of stairs. The geometric mean of 5 samples from a freshwater beach should not exceed 126 E. coli / 100 ml of water. They are open from 6 am - 9 pm every day of the week. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. I dont go there anymore I feel like I'm hiking in downtown Chicago at rush hour. There is a wheel chair accessible trail. Its definitely one of the most beautiful parks Ive visited. Passed water quality tests at least 95% of the time. 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. It offers stunning views of Lake Michigan and high buffs. I would love to know the story behind thos! Lion's Den Gorge Natural Area. It's well worth the journey, however. Easy trails with scenic views and a few hidden spots off the beaten path. 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. 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. Always obey signs at the beach or advisories from official government agencies. 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. Once you get to the staircase, hang onto the rails as this is another area that you could potentially slip on! Completely agree with you That water is a stunning blue. This park is a prototype for the planning and implementation of other "Nature Preserves" within the County park system that respects local ecology. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve is not just any park you run into in Wisconsin its like a tropical destination in the Midwest. Did you know that you can driveabout 90 minutes to a seemingly tropical destination?! 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. Want to view more enchanting spots in Wisconsin? Learn how to create your own. After walking up the stairs from the beach, I continued on the trail through the gorge which is accessed by a lovely wooden bridge. Hiking: There are a few trails located in the Nature Preserve. Showing results 1 - 60 of 1174. There are so many landscapes to see ranging from the beach to the bluffs and the wetland. Lion's Den is gorgeous! Lion's Den Gorge is a gorgeous nature preserve featuring a variety of unique nature scenes. Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve is located about a half hour drive north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the town of Grafton. What a great place to go and explore Lake Michigan. 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. Downloadable Files For additional project information, please contact the Department office at 262-238-8257. containerEl: document.querySelector('#fd-form-5dd30158b710310026332e04') This 73-acre park offers plenty of hiking trails, boardwalks through the wetlands, picnic areas, scenic views, and restrooms. }); Dineo is a full-time mom and writer who was born in South Africa but now lives in Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband and their daughter. There are many benches located throughout the trail when you need to rest. The loop trail is about two miles long, but there are intermediate bypasses to facilitate shorter walks. You do NOT need a sticker to get into this park it is free to the public. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Written September 28, 2021. rrgeniusz. Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve represents one of the last stretches of undeveloped bluff land along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The first time I went, I was a little bored. Yes it is. Terms. Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve has 4.5 stars. This map was created by a user. 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.". You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Friesian Herd Tours, Workshops, Classes and Retreats in the Kettle Moraine area. Georgia Aquarium is teeming with over 500 species of aquatic animals from around the world. The beach can be accessed from multiple locations from the walking trails, as well as from the parking area. 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