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Recreation

Lakeshore State Park

Lakeshore State Park offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities in the heart of downtown Milwaukee.

Accessibility

At Lakeshore State Park, all trails are wheelchair friendly. The park also offers an accessible fishing pier.

Bicycling and skating

The park's lakeside multi-use trail connects to the Hank Aaron State Trail, the Oak Leaf Trail and Milwaukee's lakefront. The trail is open to walking, bicycling, skating and pets.

Boating, canoeing and kayaking

Lakeshore State Park has a 20-slip marina for mooring boats. 

Lakeshore’s lagoons offer a great opportunity to practice kayaking. Kayaks can launch and land on the beach or the stone steps at the south end of the island. Cars are not allowed on the trails, so kayaks must be carried or wheeled in.

Users of small watercraft or floatation devices should be aware of the wind conditions on Lake Michigan. Strong west winds can blow watercraft away from the shoreline.

Fishing

Fishing is permitted anywhere along Lakeshore’s shoreline and behind Summerfest’s Marcus Amphitheater. Please avoid walking through the prairies by using the paths cut along the shoreline. Fishing from the pedestrian bridge is not permitted. An accessible fishing pier is located on the south lagoon off the western trail of the island. A fishing license is required for anyone age 16 and over.

Hiking

The park's trails are open to walking and running and offer great views of the Milwaukee skyline, Lake Michigan and Lakeshore’s short grass prairies. Pets are welcome but must be on a leash 8 feet or shorter and under control at all times.

Winter activities

Winter hiking and snowshoeing are allowed in the park. Only the east trail is plowed. Bird watching is popular, with close views of many northern waterfowl that use the park’s lagoons. Snowy owls and snow buntings are also commonly observed.

Ice fishing for trout and other fish is popular on the southern lagoon when ice thickness is sufficient.

No Hunting and trapping allowed in park

Hunting and trapping are not allowed at the property. For more information, please see: