Wisconsin State Park System Lakeshore State Park

Park information

Welcome!

• Lakeshore State Park is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Anglers, visitors traveling through the park on designated trails and registered guests at the marina leaving or returning to their boats may be in the park at other times. Please remember that alcoholic beverages are not allowed anywhere in Lakeshore State Park without a permit.

Directions

Lakeshore State Park is located off the shore of Lake Michigan in downtown Milwaukee. The park is relatively easy to access, but visitors from outside the city may wish to view a map of the area to better understand the written directions below. Two major construction projects in the area of the park are underway from the present until 2018. Call or e-mail during business hours for additional information regarding current park access.

General directions from I-94 or I-43
From I-94 or I-43, take I-794 east toward the lake front, getting off on the Plankinton exit. Proceed north on Plankinton to Michigan Street. Turn right (east) on Michigan and proceed several blocks, crossing Lincoln Memorial Drive at Milwaukee's lakefront.

Proceed east on Michigan Avenue after crossing Lincoln Memorial Drive. There are two ways to access the park, as described below.

North entrance – limited/paid parking
Lakeshore's north pedestrian entrance is located on the west side of the large, white Discovery World building (500 N. Harbor Drive) located on the north side of Michigan Avenue. Limited street parking is available. Paid parking is available in the basement parking lot of Discovery World, or at the O'Donnell Parking Structure located on the northwest corner of Michigan and Lincoln Memorial Drive.

South Park Road entrance – free parking
After crossing Lincoln Memorial Drive in Michigan Avenue, take the first right (south) onto Harbor Drive. Proceed south on Harbor Drive approximately until it ends at Polk Street. Turn right (west) on Polk Street until it ends at Erie Street. Turn left on Erie Street until it ends at the Milwaukee River (by the Sail Loft Restaurant). Turn left (east) on the road along the river – you are now in Lakeshore State Park. Follow the road under the Hoan Bridge, and continue until the road swings to the left (north). Park anywhere along the road where not prohibited. The south pedestrian entrance to the "island" portion of Lakeshore is located on the northeast portion of the large turn-around at the end of the road – no vehicles are allowed after this point.

Fees

• Vehicle admission sticker is not required at Lakeshore State Park.
• Fishing licenses apply.
• There are overnight and daytime moorage fees for using the marina.

Marina

Reservations for the slips can be made up to eleven months in advance on the new reservation system beginning Dec. 17, 2018.

Friends group and volunteering

• Friends of Lakeshore State Park [exit DNR]
• State Park System volunteering opportunities

Get Outdoors!

Get Outdoors!

• Lakeshore State Park Events - To RSVP for the event, please visit our Friends’ Facebook page. If you do not have Facebook, please email angela.vickio@wisconsin.gov to let us know you will be attending. Hope to see you there! Dogs are welcome at our public events, as long as they are in compliance with the park rule of being on a leash no longer than 8 feet in length. As a reminder to all visitors, no alcohol is allowed in the park (with the exception of on-site purchase of beer at the Urban Island Beach Party). It is typically more windy and cool by the lake during our events, so please dress accordingly.
• Get Outdoors! Nature Programs and Events Calendar
• Wisconsin Explorer Program

Maps/publications

Park maps

• Lakeshore State park map [PDF]

Park planning

• Master plan

Wisconsin State Park System

• Plans and reports

In the area

Department of Tourism listings

• Milwaukee [exit DNR]

More in the area

• Discovery World [exit DNR]
• Wisconsin State Fair Park [exit DNR]
• Miwaukee County parks [exit DNR]
• Oak Leaf Trail [exit DNR]