Places to Explore • Wisconsin

Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve

High above Lake Michigan, with a wooded gorge waiting below.

Grafton, Wisconsin • Lake overlooks, boardwalks & woodland trails

The view from high above Lake Michigan was a highlight of this visit. Blue water stretches toward the horizon, while the shoreline curves beneath steep, green bluffs. There is plenty to enjoy between the overlooks, too: wooded paths, bridges, a staircase through the gorge and small flowers worth stopping to photograph.

Lake Michigan beneath a sweeping green bluff at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Lake Michigan beneath a sweeping green bluff

A different perspective on the lake

From bluff top to shoreline

This 73-acre county preserve has bluffs reaching roughly 90–100 feet above Lake Michigan. Trails, bridges and wetland boardwalks reveal several habitats within one visit. A stairway through the gorge leads to the shore.

Compare the photographs from above and below: the high views show the coastline’s shape, while the beach views reveal stones, driftwood and the exposed bluff face. The same lake looks very different beneath gray clouds and in bright sunshine.

Bring binoculars, too

The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology highlights this area for spring migrant birds and its mix of wooded ravines, marsh and open habitat. Warblers may pass through the trees, while Wood Thrush and Louisiana Waterthrush are associated with the ravines. Scan the lake for waterbirds, and listen as well as look.

Bird sightings vary with season and conditions. The photo collection here focuses on the scenery, plants and a Virginia Ctenucha moth encountered during the visit.

Plan your visit

Walking Lion’s Den Gorge

Where & when

511 High Bluff Drive, Grafton, Wisconsin 53024. The county lists year-round access with hours of 6 a.m.–9 p.m. Parking, picnic tables and a viewing platform are listed amenities.

Stairs & accessibility

The beach route involves steep stairs, and the county says there is no ADA-compliant path down to the beach. Plan for the climb back up. Follow designated routes and posted signs, especially near bluff edges and wet steps.

Restrooms & seasonal notices

The pavilion has accessible restrooms; in winter these close and a portable toilet is provided. Permitted deer hunts take place in fall. Check county notices and on-site signs before setting out.

Use the trail map

Choose a route that fits your time and comfort with stairs. The county’s map helps connect the overlooks, gorge and boardwalks. The birding guide also notes poison ivy, another reason to keep to the paths.

Photographs by Brian Woolman

A walk in photographs

Explore the lake views, then follow the boardwalks and wooded trails before taking a closer look at the plants. Open any image for the slideshow; each gallery begins with eight photographs.

Lake Michigan & the high bluffs

Lake Michigan beneath a sweeping green bluff at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Lake Michigan beneath a sweeping green bluff
Exposed bluff slopes above turquoise water at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Exposed bluff slopes above turquoise water
A leafy frame around the Lake Michigan shoreline at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
A leafy frame around the Lake Michigan shoreline
Looking down toward the narrow lakeshore at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Looking down toward the narrow lakeshore
Trees above a sunlit Lake Michigan shore at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Trees above a sunlit Lake Michigan shore
Sumac leaves against the blue lake at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Sumac leaves against the blue lake
Green bluffs beneath an overcast sky at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Green bluffs beneath an overcast sky
Grasses above the pale spring shoreline at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Grasses above the pale spring shoreline
Load 4 more lake and bluff photos
Wooden railings at a lake overlook at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Wooden railings at a lake overlook
Picnic tables beside the lake overlook at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Picnic tables beside the lake overlook
Driftwood and stones beneath the bluffs at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Driftwood and stones beneath the bluffs
A pebble beach at the foot of the bluff at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
A pebble beach at the foot of the bluff

Boardwalks, woodland trails & the gorge

A sunny boardwalk through green vegetation at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
A sunny boardwalk through green vegetation
Boardwalk through a wetland corridor at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Boardwalk through a wetland corridor
A shaded woodland boardwalk at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
A shaded woodland boardwalk
Wooden bridge across the wooded gorge at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Wooden bridge across the wooded gorge
Footbridge leading onto a woodland trail at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Footbridge leading onto a woodland trail
A broad gravel path through the trees at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
A broad gravel path through the trees
A winding trail beneath the woodland canopy at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
A winding trail beneath the woodland canopy
Trail signs at a woodland junction at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Trail signs at a woodland junction
Load 5 more trail and wetland photos
Stairs descending into the gorge at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Stairs descending into the gorge
A long staircase climbing the wooded ravine at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
A long staircase climbing the wooded ravine
A shallow stream on the gorge floor at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
A shallow stream on the gorge floor
A bluff trail beside blue Lake Michigan at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
A bluff trail beside blue Lake Michigan
Open water and wetland vegetation at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Open water and wetland vegetation

Wildflowers, ferns & a moth

Blue Wild Indigo in bloom at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Blue Wild Indigo in bloom
Blue Wild Indigo flower close-up at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Blue Wild Indigo flower close-up
Canada Mayflower in bloom at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Canada Mayflower in bloom
Clustered Black Snakeroot flower heads at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Clustered Black Snakeroot flower heads
Tiny blue forget-me-not flowers at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Tiny blue forget-me-not flowers
Fern fronds on the woodland floor at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Fern fronds on the woodland floor
A flowering dogwood cluster at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
A flowering dogwood cluster
A pink rose among green leaves at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
A pink rose among green leaves
Load 2 more nature detail photos
Virginia Waterleaf flowers at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Virginia Waterleaf flowers
Virginia Ctenucha moth resting on a leaf at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin
Virginia Ctenucha moth resting on a leaf

Official information & further reading

Ozaukee County: Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve · Address, hours & amenities · County trail map · Wisconsin Society for Ornithology birding guide

Check current park notices before visiting. Photographs show conditions during Brian’s visit.

Official visitor informationOfficial trail mapBack to Places to Explore

Share this:

Like this:

Like Loading…