Lakeshore State Park - Milwaukee, WI?

[truk911]

Okay, I know its 8 months away, but we need somthing to discuss to get us through the cold winter months.

http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/lakeshore/pdfs/LSP0506c.pdf

We are planning a trip to Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee for July 1st - 5th 2015 and would like to know what to expect.

http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/lakeshore/

Anyone stay there before? during Summerfest and fireworks? Anything I should be prepared for or try to avoid. What's with the rafting in the slips? How crazy does it get? It looks pretty accessable from land, is their a security gate that keeps out the non-boaters?

We plan to go to Summerfest for couple of concerts and spend some time in the City. I would appreciate any information, comments and especially restaurant recommendations which are accessable by boat, since we won't have car.

Thank you in advance for any input!

 

[OldSkool]

I lived in Milwaukee area for 22 years. I never got a chance to get out on the lake though. I can tell you that Summerfest is a great time. The venue is good. Marcus amphitheater is old but was in good condition the last time we were there, The marina is pretty active during the fest and Fourth so patience is needed just like any event on the water. I've been down to the marina many times and the ramps are in good shape and traffic flows well in and out of the dock area.

If you need anything for the boat, Skipper Buds is the big boat and marine repair dealer in the area.
http://www.skipperbuds.com/

Good luck planing this trip.

 

[jitts3]

There are some riverways or canals downtown with lift bridges to allow taller boats thru. I usually work picking up freight in Milwaukee. I have taken the Harley down by the waterways and thought it was very nice. OldSkool could most likley tell you better about the area I am referring to.

 

[OldSkool]

Most of the canals are working canals from what I remember. Unless you have business in them it might be better to avoid them with a 40 footer.

That being said, if you enter the Kinnickinnic River inlet (Lake Shore State park area) it branched into the Milwaukee River to the right and continues to be the Kinnickinnic to the left. Skipper Buds is on the Kinnickinnic just past the Municipal Mooring Basin. (Lake Boat Mooring and docks) Anything past Skipper Buds gets tight real fast.

The Milwaukee River is open fairly far up.

28 Miles up the shore line is Port Washington. Another nice marina and town. Smith Bros Fish Shanty used to be a great place to eat but I haven't been there in awhile.

South is Racine on the Root River. Lots of boat docks along the river but I don't know if they are transient or not.

That's about all I can offer.

 

[truk911]

Thanks for the info guys! We are planning a trip up to Port Washington and have spent several weekends in Racine in the past. Racine is great and look forward to exploring Milwaukee and Port Washington.

Anyone else ever stay in Lakeshore Park or have experience during the July 3rd Fireworks?

 

[DaFish]

Truk,

Prior to coming down to Reefpoint Marina in Racine, we were up in Milwaukee on the KK River (at SB service center). The State park Docks are well positioned to enjoy Summerfest and the fireworks. Know that for the 3rd of July fireworks (the big show), the Discovery World lagoon (where the docks are) is closed off well before the start and well after the end of the fireworks (no in or out traffic) and because of its proximatry to the launch, is very well patrolled. The lagoon itself will be filled with rafts of boats enjoying the fireworks. The State Park docks are not secured as they are part of the park. The docks are very nice with electric, but it is a very busy place with allot of people traffic.

When you go west under the Hoan Bridge, the Milwaukee River will branch to the north and the KK River will branch to the south. With a 40' boat, you will have to wait for bridge lifts going up the Milwaukee River and there wil be a lot of small boat traffic in addition to dinner cruise boats. the public docks along the river and by restaurants are tight and there is ussually a good current. To the south, down the Kinnikinnic (KK) River, which is primarily used by freighters, you will have good room down past the open RR bridge to Skipper Buds restaurant (Barnicle Buds). There is transient docking on the face dock for the restaurant, but no other. The water gets skinny any further south.

If you make a stop at Reefpoint on your way up or back, PM me and we would love to meet up with you. Please feel free to PM me with any other questions you may have. It is fun to think of and plan travel plans for next summer.

Dave