Wildlife sanctuary and nature center

Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary

About 4.7 mi straight-line from the museum

Add a free 535-acre wildlife sanctuary with current building hours, nearly five miles of trails, rehabilitation exhibits, and a practical access plan.

The place

About Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary

Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is a City of Green Bay 535-acre urban wildlife refuge with nearly five miles of walking, hiking, and cross-country ski trails. Admission is free, making it a substantial independent family complement rather than a brief add-on.

The three-floor Nature Center provides hands-on exhibits, tracks, skulls, pelts, live animals, restrooms, and a gift shop. The Observation Building includes an animal nursery, birds of prey, rehabilitation interpretation, and approved corn for ducks and geese; the Woodland Building focuses on Wisconsin mammals.

The sanctuary rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife, releasing animals when possible and using some non-releasable animals as ambassadors. Wildlife locations, animal visibility, and rehabilitation access vary, so the setting should not be treated like a fixed-show zoo.

Official guidance identifies accessible buildings and paved routes, while unpaved trail conditions vary with weather. Gates to the trail system lock at 4:30 p.m. Pets, bicycles, motorized recreation, alcohol, and smoking are not allowed, and visitors must stay on marked trails.

What stands out

Start at the Nature Center

Use three floors of hands-on exhibits and visitor facilities to orient the group before choosing animal areas or trails.

Learn from wildlife rehabilitation

The Observation Building connects animal care, a nursery, birds of prey, and the sanctuary's release-first rehabilitation mission.

See Wisconsin mammals

Woodland exhibits can include foxes, wolves, otters, cougar, and other regional species, subject to animal care and maintenance.

Walk wetland and woodland trails

Nearly five miles of routes cross multiple habitats, but trail gates close at 4:30 p.m. and unpaved surfaces vary after weather.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in a National Railroad Museum trip

Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary expands a Green Bay train day into transportation history plus living regional ecology. It ranks behind the closer Heritage Hill pairing but offers a free, flexible two-to-three-hour visit with indoor exhibits, outdoor habitats, and trails, all about 4.7 miles straight-line from the museum.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • AdmissionFree year-round; individual buildings, trails, and programs retain separate operating hours
  • Late May–Labor DayNature Center 8 a.m.–7:30 p.m.; Observation Building 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; trails 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Woodland Building 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
  • After Labor Day–late MayNature Center, Observation Building, and trails 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Woodland Building 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • ClosuresClosed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day; weather or maintenance can change access
  • TrailsNearly five miles for walking, hiking, and cross-country skiing; gates lock at 4:30 p.m.
  • AccessibilityBuildings and paved trails are wheelchair-accessible; unpaved route conditions vary and should be checked after weather
  • Animal areasNature Center exhibits, Observation Building rehabilitation and birds, and Woodland Building Wisconsin mammals have different hours
  • FeedingFeed only ducks and geese with sanctuary-purchased corn; do not feed other animals
  • RulesNo pets, bicycles, motorized recreation, alcohol, or smoking; stay on marked trails
  • TimeAllow two to three hours for the three main buildings and a focused trail loop

Return to living history

Add Heritage Hill State Historical Park

Use Heritage Hill for four historical periods, more than 20 buildings, and rotating interpreters about one mile from the railroad museum.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

Is admission really free?

Yes. The City of Green Bay lists free admission. Buildings, trails, and programs still have individual hours, capacities, and rules.

How long should I allow?

Two to three hours supports the Nature, Observation, and Woodland buildings plus a focused trail loop. Arrive earlier because trail gates lock at 4:30 p.m.

Is the sanctuary wheelchair-accessible?

Official guidance identifies accessible buildings and paved trails. Unpaved surfaces vary with weather, so contact staff about the best current route.

Can I bring a pet?

No. Pets are not permitted. Service-animal needs should be discussed with staff because this is a wildlife and rehabilitation setting.

May visitors feed the animals?

Only ducks and geese may be fed, using corn purchased at the Observation Building. Do not feed other animals.

Are all buildings open at the same time?

No. Nature, Observation, Woodland, office, and trail hours differ by season, and maintenance can affect exhibit access. Check the current hours page.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-15. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.