HomeWisconsinMilwaukee › Lakeshore State Park

Lakeshore State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 734 Google reviews · Running trail in Milwaukee, Wisconsin · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Lakeshore State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

PavedScenicRestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

22-acre urban state park with a fishing pier & marina, plus benches, views & a 1.7-mile paved trail.

What runners say about Lakeshore State Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (734 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 10 mentions

“What makes this space beautiful is that it is SPACE: an expanse where you can enjoy nature in as limited an inhibiting way as possible.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“People fishing in the calm water of the little lake next to the GreatLake.”

This is a beautiful and peaceful place to be with the Lord. It’s quiet and filled with tranquility. The skyline is gorgeous, and the water is still. There are all kinds of people who go to the park to walk, run or ride bikes. I would say this park came straight from heaven.

★★★★★ — Ginag1234 , Nov 2023

It’s a nice park with good views of downtown Milwaukee and the lake. You can park on the street, just look around for parked cars, I went on a weekday around 3pm and easily parked my car. There’s no fees to park (could be) or enter the park, restroom is only porta potty which was s-hittier than s-hitty.

★★★★★ — Bishwajeet , Sep 2022

Vibrant,clean ,wonderful. People fishing in the calm water of the little lake next to the GreatLake. People jogging, striking children, longboarding. Music artists filming videos, and people enjoying the red lighthouse! Free parking amazing view of the city, the Art Museum and the nearby bridge.

★★★★★ — Lisa , Jun 2024

The park has a very nice view of Milwaukee, also over looking Lake Michigan. It has a long path, suitable for biking and walking/jogging. Summer festival is also held there. There is a small beach like area, although it’s with coarse sand.

★★★★☆ — Grace , Aug 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 734 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 21 mentions

“What makes this space beautiful is that it is SPACE: an expanse where you can enjoy nature in as limited an inhibiting way as possible.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 6 mentions

“Free parking amazing view of the city, the Art Museum and the nearby bridge.”

More trails like this →

🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“There’s no fees to park (could be) or enter the park, restroom is only porta potty which was s-hittier than s-hitty.”

More trails like this →

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“This is a beautiful and peaceful place to be with the Lord.”

More trails like this →

🛣️ Paved surface

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Lakeshore State Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitednr.wisconsin.gov
  • Phone+1 414-274-4281
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 6 am–10 pm
Tuesday 6 am–10 pm
Wednesday 6 am–10 pm
Thursday 6 am–10 pm
Friday 6 am–10 pm
Saturday 6 am–10 pm
Sunday 6 am–10 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Lakeshore State Park

Lakeshore State Park, 500 N Harbor Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Get directions

Running trails near Milwaukee

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Veterans Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 4,516 reviews

Milwaukee, WI

PavedScenic

Park on Lake Michigan featuring a veterans memorial, fishing, a paved walking trail & restrooms.

under a mile away

Caesar's Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 65 reviews

Milwaukee, WI

ScenicDog-friendly

Park offering trails for running and other activities, plus a quiet atmosphere.

1.6 miles away

Kinnickinnic River Trail | Maple Street Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 9 reviews

Milwaukee, WI

1.7 miles away

Riverside Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 257 reviews

Milwaukee, WI

MixedScenic

Urban space with trails for hiking and biking, playgrounds and an ecology center.

2.5 miles away

South Shore Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,174 reviews

Milwaukee, WI

Scenic

Park on Lake Michigan with a beach, a beer garden, a playground & views of downtown.

2.7 miles away

Lake Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,701 reviews

Milwaukee, WI

3 miPavedScenicDog-friendly

Venerable lakefront park with a golf course, ball fields, nature paths, events & an 1855 lighthouse.

2.7 miles away

All running trails in Milwaukee, WI →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.