Located in Green Bay, the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is a 600-acre urban wildlife refuge that is a family favorite! Not to be confused with its neighbor, Bay Beach Amusement Park, you won’t find any rides here. It is the largest park in Green Bay and the second largest wildlife rehabilitation program in Wisconsin. The sanctuary is FREE and open year-round and includes a nature education center, observation building, hiking trails, amphitheater, educational programs, many animal habitats, and more. It is one of the best nature centers in the area!
Open year-round daily. Check hours when planning your visit.
- Picnic Areas – Carryins allowed
- Wheelchairs Available
- Stroller Friendly
- Plenty of Shade (great for those hot days)
- FREE admission but donations are greatly appreciated
- Special events and programs for the whole family
Nature Education Center
You will find three floors here to explore with educational, immersive fun, hands-on exhibits, and activities. Make sure to take a ride down the slide!
- Gift Shop
- Public Restrooms
- Vending Machine Snacks
Observation / Rehabilitation Building
The Sanctuary began in 1935 as a bird, geese, and duck rehabilitation site and continues that mission today of rescuing and caring for over 4,000 injured, orphaned, and sick animals each year. The goal is to release as many of these rehabilitated animals back into the wild as possible but when animals cannot survive on their own they may become wildlife education ambassadors.
- Self serve corn bags for sale to feed ducks and geese
- Live birds of prey and waterfowl exhibits
- Wildlife rehabilitation area
- Animal nursery viewing
- Raptor Theater
Wildlife Habi-Trek Trail & Woodland Building
Includes daytime and nighttime forest animals. There are also informational signs and a kid’s play area and a climbing structure right outside of the building.
- Outdoor Animals Include: wolves, cougar, bobcat, fox, and otter
- Indoor Animals Include: flying squirrels, mink, snakes, turtles, owl, and skunk
Grassland Habitat
Walk from forest to field and discover deer, turkeys, birds, a coyote, and more! Climb the observation tower for a birds-eye view!
Hiking / Walking Trails
The Sanctuary offers 6.5 miles of free walking, hiking, and cross-country ski trails (ski rentals are not available). Trail gates are locked promptly at 4:30 pm. Dogs and bicycles are not allowed.
Fishing
Urban fishing for kids under 16 and handicapped adults from the shoreline only (no watercraft, boats, canoes, tubes, wading, etc.). Catch and release or bagged. Review fishing etiquette, rules, and regulations before your visit.
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary At-a-Glance
- Address: 1660 E Shore Dr, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Phone: (920) 391-3671
- Website: baybeachwildlife.com
Highlights
- 700 acres with 6.5 miles of paved trails and hiking trails.
- Wildlife viewing areas include deer, wolves, cougars, otters, and more.
- Nature Center with fun areas for kids to explore and lots of interesting displays.
- Fishing for kids 16 and younger.
- Corn to feed birds is available for purchase from the Observation Building.
- The water area has lots of ducks to feed, a waterfall, and a floating boardwalk bridge.
Nearby Things to Do
- Bay Beach Amusement Park, 1313 Bay Beach Road, Green Bay
- University of Wisconsin Green Bay Campus – Corfrin Arboretum, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay
- The Children’s Museum of Green Bay, 1230 Bay Beach Road, Green Bay
Nearby Ice Cream and Coffee
- Smart Cow Yogurt Bar, 2321 S Oneida St, Ashwaubenon (6.5 miles away)
- Zesty’s Frozen Custard & Grill, 508 Greene Ave, Green Bay (5 miles away)
- Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream, 1675 E Mason St, Green Bay (3 miles away)
