Spirit Lake Preserve in Mequon

Activities: Birding, Cross-Country Skiing, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Snowshoeing, Wildlife Viewing

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A 155-acre preserve located a mile west of the Milwaukee River in the City of Mequon; owned and managed by Restoring Lands: A WI Land Trust. Contains the titular lake, a small stream, upland hardwood forest, hardwood forest with ephemeral ponds, cattail marsh, wet meadow, and a small, restored grassland. The animal population includes sandhill cranes, turkeys, coyotes, deer, bald eagles and osprey. Additionally, for amphibian lovers both green frogs and leopard frogs can be seen in the cattail marsh. Spring beauties, wood violets and other spring flowers. Visit this preserve to hike, bird watch, fish or cross-country ski (not groomed). Hunting is allowed with a City of Mequon permit.

There is a seven-car parking lot at the entrance on Boniwell. There is also a new (as of August 2025) trail connecting Spirit Lake with Pukaite Woods in the adjacent Mequon Rotary Park, which has copious parking. The connecting trail creates a combined 3.5-mile network of hiking trails within the two parks.

For Restoring Lands: A WI Land Trust website click here.

Story links:

Brooklyn Henke: Artist in Residence at Spirit Lake Preserve

Tom Smith: Artist in Residence at Spirit Lake Preserve

Sally Duback: Artist in Residence at Spirit Lake Preserve

Deb Mortl: Artist in Residence at Spirit Lake Preserve

Heather Eiden: Artist in Residence at Spirit Lake Preserve

“Hidden Gems” at Milwaukee Magazine.

Treasures of OZ Eco-Tour 2023