Lake Michigan Destinations stock photo
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary
Find Your Wild Side!
Just outside the hustle and bustle of Green Bay Wisconsin lies a quiet place along Lake Michigan where nature abounds.
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is set upon 700 acres and is the largest park in Green Bay. Hundreds of thousands of visitors come to see wildlife in a natural habitat, view animal exhibits, and hike or ski on the various trails within the park. The Sanctuary cares for over 4,000 orphaned or injured animals annually, and is the second largest wildlife rehabilitation program in Wisconsin.
Park Highlights
There’s so much to see at Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary! Stop first at the Nature Center, three floors that feature exhibits, an estuary room, library, gift shop, and public restrooms. Then begin your hike through the wolf and deer habitats, the lookout tower and the coyote habitat. Along the water you’ll find a floating boardwalk and waterfalls, plus the Duck Shack. At the Observation Building you can buy shelled corn to feed waterfowl, see live bird of prey and waterfowl exhibits, view the animal nursery and wildlife rehabilitation area. This is what Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary prides themselves on–saving and preparing animals so they can live on their own in the wild. Fishing docks allow you to spend some time trying to catch fish, but use care and do not leave any fishing lines behind, as animals can become entangled. There is also a picnic area near the entrance to the park.
Trails
The public is welcome to use the 6.5 miles of trails within Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary. Trails are for hiking and skiing only–no bikes are allowed. The park asks that you stay on the marked trails, do not bring pets, and do not disturb the plants and animals. Smoking and alcoholic beverages are not allowed. During the winter, hikers and snowshoes are not allowed on the groomed ski trails.
Programs & Events
Kids love Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, and the feeling is mutual! Programs are featured throughout the year aimed at educating children while they have fun. Nature Nuts, Talon Talks, Furs and Feathers, and Animal Stories for Pre-Schoolers are just a few of the program designed for the younger set. Adults enjoy Trail Fitness Walks, Ice Fishing Workshops, Snowshoe and Cross Country Skiing Events and Public Campfires. Or attend a holiday event around Halloween, Christmas and Easter and the Annual Birthday Party for the Animals. There’s never a shortage of things to do at Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.
Contact Info
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is open all year, every day, with different seasonal hours.
For more information:
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary
1660 East Shore Drive
Green Bay, WI 54302
(920) 391-3671
Experience More of Northeast Wisconsin
Located just north of Whitefish Dunes State Park on the eastern coast of Door County, Cave Point County Park should not be missed.
Learn about train travel at the National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, just outside Green Bay.
No other has more waterparks than Wisconsin Dells, large and small, indoor and outdoor. It has recreation, festivals, theaters, and museums,
The four seasons of Wisconsin come alive in colorful splendor at the Green Bay Botanical Garden which opened in 1996.
The Algoma Light, is a red, steel structure overlooking Lake Michigan. In 1932, the lighthouse that is in place today was relocated to Algoma.
Whitefish Dunes State Park, on the eastern shore of Door Peninsula, in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, is set upon 865 acres along Lake Michigan.
The Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse is one of only 6 in Wisconsin where a fifth-order Fresnel lens is still in use.
Browsing for art is a don't-miss activity when you visit Door County! Dotted amongst cities and countryside are dozens of art destinations.
The Port of Manitowoc is a deep water draft commercial harbor on Lake Michigan, and the Wisconsin port for the SS Badger car ferry.
The Fox River Trail starts in downtown Green Bay. It is part of the Wisconsin state park system and is overseen by the Wisconsin DNR.
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest park in Green Bay and is the second largest wildlife rehabilitation program
Do you want to travel between Traverse City, Michigan and Green Bay, Wisconsin? Take a short cut across Lake Michigan on the car ferry.
Manitowoc is the Wisconsin port for the S.S. Badger Car Ferry which sails across Lake Michigan to Ludington.
Built by Joseph and Mary Vilas between 1891 and 1893, this Queen Anne style Victorian mansion is the location of an historical art museum.
Six acres of peaceful botanical gardens that sit on the former estate of John and Ruth West with beautiful views of Lake Michigan.
The Highway US-10 continuance crosses Lake Michigan between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan via the SS Badger car ferry.
Built in 1918, the Manitowoc Breakwater Light has undergone multiple upgrades. The lighthouse is still operational today.
A popular place to visit in Green Bay, Wisconsin is the NEW Zoo, located ten miles north of downtown in the Brown County Reforestation Camp.
The Door County Mushroom House is an intriguing, fascinating, whimsical structure and is located near Fish Creek in Door County.
Founded in 1970, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum offers visitors interactive exhibits, artifacts, and insight on World War II submarines.
Northeast Wisconsin is noted for its spectacular scenery along the Lake Michigan shoreline and has many curved roads and rocky coastlines.
The Green Bay Packers are one of the league’s oldest franchises, and the green and yellow uniforms have thousands of fans around the country.
The Mariners Trail is a seven mile trail running along Lake Michigan, connecting the cities of Manitowoc and Two Rivers in Wisconsin.
The northeastern shoreline of Wisconsin is home to many magnificent Lake Michigan Lighthouses.
Children love to explore, and there’s no better place to combine curiosity and learning than at The Children’s Museum of Green Bay.
Though not as warm as the oceans, temperatures of Lake Michigan off Northeast Wisconsin do rise to the high 60's in July and August.
Restaurants, activities, and accommodations in and near Algoma. The inside scoop on a small town that is too good to miss.
Discover More Lake Michigan Destinations
Porter County Indiana
Porter County, Indiana is popular for the Indiana Dunes National Park. Porter County, Indiana is part of the Southern Lake Michigan Circle Tour.
St. Ignace, Michigan
Located in the Straits of Mackinac, and known as the “Gateway” to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, St. Ignace has more than 300 years of history.
Mackinaw City, Michigan
With Lake Michigan on one side and Lake Huron on the other side, Mackinaw City is a true Great Lakes highlight.
Oceana County, Michigan
Oceana County is located in West Michigan and is known for their asparagus crops and the Silver Lake Sand Dunes.
Racine County, Wisconsin
Racine County, in the southeast corner of Wisconsin, includes communities like Racine, Caledonia, Burlington, Mount Pleasant, and Sturtevant.
St. Joseph, Michigan
With 3 top beaches including thousands of acres of State Park land, St. Joseph, Michigan, is the perfect destination for beach lovers.