Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve
Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
111 reviews
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Previa1994
Chicago, IL6,608 contributions
Sep 2021
I visited Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton on a weekday morning in September and was surprised to see the parking lot almost full. I realized why at the end of my 2-hr visit. Within a short walk from the parking lot, are stunning views of Lake Michigan and the high buffs. The Lake Bluff trail is close to the edge of the bluff, and has an almost continuous view of the lake. The north end of the trail has a set of wooden stairs to descend to the beach. The views of the high bluffs from the beach are stunning. There was evidence of recent bluff collapses at a couple of spots on the beach. After walking up the stairs from the beach, I continued on the trail through the gorge which is accessed by a lovely wooden bridge. The Cedar Loop trail was peaceful with scent from the cedar trees. 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. The trails are well marked and easy to navigate. Nice rest benches are available at strategic locations. There is a long and beautiful boardwalk over a wetland section of the park. The loop trail is about two miles long, but there are intermediate bypasses to facilitate shorter walks.
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. Do not miss it if you are in the area. Parking is free and there is no fee to enter the park.
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. Do not miss it if you are in the area. Parking is free and there is no fee to enter the park.
Written September 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rrgeniusz
Cedarburg, WI259 contributions
May 2019
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. this is a fine place for birding, hiking, and enjoying the lake, there is a wonderful wooden bog walk and a nice pond. 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. iI is easy to choose various length of trails. If you are tired of the wide open lake fronts, this park offers a splendid wooded shoreline. It is an especially beautiful place in the spring and fall.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rodney B
Waukesha, WI1,152 contributions
May 2020 • Family
I went here with my family to hike around a little. When we arrived, cars were parking along both sides of the street all the way to the intersection. We expected the trails to be crazily overcrowded with the hundreds of cars, but overall things were not that busy. The lakeshore is nice and the trails are mostly wide and well kept. Worth a visit especially to hang out on the beach area. 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.
Written May 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndrewFromMadison
Madison, WI5,905 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
I suppose this used to be a beautiful park, but there was not much left as of the summer of 2023. Most of the tree canopy is gone, replaced with secondary shrubbery and junk tree species. It looks like this was an ash stand (couldn't determine what particular species of ash), and now the only mature trees left standing are aspen. But aspen grow together in groves, and in those places where groves of ash were growing - that looks devastated and decimated. It was a very hot day as well, when I visited (mid-90th) and walking without a tree canopy was brutal. Lake views are still there, on a trail that follows the shoreline, but not much else to enjoy. That's Emerald Ash Borer for you.
Written February 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deb
21 contributions
Aug 2019
Lots of people not a lot of solitude, too many dogs and thier poo. Poison ivy be carefull. I dont go there anymore I feel like I'm hiking in downtown Chicago at rush hour. 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. Used to be a nature preserve now it's a crowded trampled doggy park. Sad it's been loved to death and poorly managed. If you love crowds and dogs go for it, not my thing.
Written May 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ro13
Hubertus, WI2,208 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
Today was my 5th or so time visiting. Can't beat the views of Lake Michigan. Nice stairs lead down to the lake as well and plenty of trails to get a nice walk in. Saw a deer that wasn't startled by seeing us and some Cardinals and woodpeckers.
Written March 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rhawig
Whitefish Bay, WI499 contributions
Jan 2020
My college age son and I went for a walk on a very cold, sunny, crispy morning. There were a few icy spots, but otherwise we warmed up by speeding up the pace! There is a nice windy path along the lakefront, but if you are looking for a nice, wide straight path, there is one offset from the lake, in the trees. The stairs down into the gorge is nice and not too many. It was a nice little hike, good exercise and not too long since we only had 1 hour.
Written February 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt M
Waukesha, WI32 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
What an excellent way to spend a couple hours. Breathtaking vistas and well maintained pathways, bridges, and stairs. We can’t wait to come back in a couple weeks as the leaves begin changing colors and dropping. Oh, and best of all…this is FREE
Written September 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denae M
336 contributions
May 2020 • Family
What a beautiful place. Majority of this location has easy walking trails with beautiful views. Our two year old walked most of the way by himself. The hardest part of the “hike” is the steps down to the water. Which you wouldn’t necessarily have to do. You could take a stroller or wheelchair through most of and just skip going down to the water. However I highly suggest taking the journey to the water. It’s beautiful. There are also nice benches throughout the trails to take a break if needed.
Written May 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
whlnatalia
Mequon, WI323 contributions
May 2019 • Family
Nice wood chip hiking trails. Not very difficult for younger kiddos but full of amazing.views of lake Michigan. If you do the full loop is close to 2 miles.
Written May 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are the stairs down to the beach maintained in winter? Are they reasonably safe to walk in winter?
Written February 12, 2022
Yes it is. Dogs must be on leashes at all times in the park. This park has so many different trails you hardly run into people. If you are able take the stairs down with your dog(s) and enjoy the Lake Michigan Beach.
Written August 1, 2016
Has anyone walked North toward south Beach from Lions Den and seen the old car on the beach? It's not a whole car there are no doors hood seats etc but it's a whole car frame rims etc.. I would love to know the story behind thos!
Written August 15, 2015
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