Photo: Wisconsin DNR
In the heart of downtown Milwaukee, Lakeshore State Park is adjacent to the Henry W. Maier Festival Grounds and Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin. The park is an urban oasis offering a small beach and accessible paved trails that link to Milwaukee's other lakefront parks and the Hank Aaron State Trail. The park offers great views of the city and Lake Michigan and has a reservable, overnight boat slip.
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Lakeshore State Park?
It depends on what you came for. Swimming is best in July–August; boating & paddling in June–September; ice fishing in January–February; and biking in May–June and September–October.
What can you do at Lakeshore State Park in each season?
Winter (December–February): hiking, fishing, ice fishing and snowshoeing. Spring (March–May): hiking, fishing and biking. Summer (June–August): hiking, swimming, boating & paddling, fishing and biking. Fall (September–November): hiking, boating & paddling, fishing and biking.
Do you need a state park sticker at Lakeshore State Park?
No. Lakeshore State Park doesn't require a vehicle sticker or a state trail pass.
What state parks and trails are near Lakeshore State Park?
The closest state properties, as the crow flies: Hank Aaron State Trail (1 mi), Havenwoods State Forest (8 mi) and Kettle Moraine State Forest – Loew Lake Unit (25 mi).
Good for
- Biking
- Boating & paddling
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Ice fishing
- Snowshoeing
- Swimming
Best months
January · February · May · June · July · August · September · October
Visiting
- Admission: A vehicle admission sticker is not required at Lakeshore State Park.
- Hours: Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. year-round.
- Address: 500 N Harbor Dr. Milwaukee, WI 53202
- Phone: 414-274-4281
Accessibility
- Accessible fishing pier
- Universal trail: All trails
From the DNR's accessibility guide, reviewed October 2026. Call the property to confirm before you go.
Nearby
- Hank Aaron State Trail (1 mi)
- Havenwoods State Forest (8 mi)
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Loew Lake Unit (25 mi)
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Lapham Peak Unit (26 mi)
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Mukwonago River Unit (29 mi)
Closures and alerts for Lakeshore State Park: updates · RSS · JSON Feed
Text and park details on this page come from the property's DNR pages, checked every Monday; last change October 24, 2026. Closures and notices load live. Check current conditions before you go.