Door County State Parks | Door County

Door County State Parks form a diverse and rich network of natural preserves offering visitors a wide range of outdoor recreational activities, stunning landscapes, and unique natural features. These parks showcase the geological, ecological, and cultural history of the Door Peninsula, one of Wisconsin’s most scenic and visited areas. Here is an in-depth overview of the five major state parks in Door County, highlighting their size, key features, activities, facilities, and visitor information.

1. Peninsula State Park - Fish Creek Area

Size: Approximately 3,776 acres
Location: Near Fish Creek, along Green Bay shoreline
Overview: Peninsula State Park is the largest and most visited state park in Door County, often referred to as the “crown jewel” of Wisconsin’s state parks. It lies atop the Niagara Escarpment, providing dramatic cliffs rising up to 150 feet above Green Bay. The park’s extensive shoreline includes sandy beaches and rocky bluffs, diverse forested areas, and open meadows.

Key Features:

Eagle Bluff Lighthouse: A restored 1868 lighthouse with a museum and tower open for climbing, providing panoramic views of Green Bay.

White Cedar Nature Center: Offers interpretive exhibits, live animal displays, and environmental education programs year-round.

Eagle Tower: A 60-foot observation tower built to be ADA-accessible, offering sweeping views of the peninsula, bay, and surrounding forests.

Trails: Over 20 miles of hiking trails traverse the park, varying from easy shoreline walks to challenging upland forest hikes. The Sunset Bike Trail, about 5 miles long, is partially paved and gravel, suitable for most cyclists.

Recreational Facilities: The park has a well-maintained 18-hole golf course known for scenic views, multiple picnic areas, playgrounds, kayak and canoe rentals, and a public boat launch.

Winter Activities: During colder months, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding are popular, with maintained trails and designated snowmobile routes.

Camping: Five campgrounds offer approximately 468 campsites, including electric and non-electric options, group camping areas, modern restroom and shower facilities, and some pet-friendly sites.

Cultural Programs: Peninsula hosts the Northern Sky Theater during summer, featuring professional outdoor plays and musicals in a unique amphitheater setting.

Visitor Information:

Vehicle admission sticker is required year-round; annual and daily passes are available.

Reservations for camping can be made up to 11 months in advance, with the park office open daily from early morning.

Accessible facilities include beach wheelchairs and ADA-compliant trails and observation points.

2. Whitefish Dunes State Park - Sturgeon Bay Area

Size: Approximately 867 acres
Location: Northeast of Sturgeon Bay, along Lake Michigan shore
Overview: Whitefish Dunes State Park protects the largest sand dunes in Wisconsin along Lake Michigan. This park is well known for its unique geological formations, including high dunes shaped by lake winds and a rare mixture of forest and dune ecosystems.

Key Features:

Sand Dunes: Towering dunes up to 150 feet high with diverse plant species adapted to sandy soils.

Trails: Approximately 9 miles of marked trails wind through dunes, hardwood forests, and wetlands. Trails range from easy boardwalks to rugged paths offering stunning lake views.

Nature Center: The on-site center features year-round educational programs about local wildlife, plants, and geology, plus hands-on exhibits.

Day Use Beach: A sandy beach with picnic shelters and restrooms, popular for swimming and sunbathing.

Accessibility: Adaptive beach wheelchairs are available, and many trails are designed to accommodate a variety of mobility levels.

Visitor Information:

Open daily from 6 AM to 8 PM; no camping permitted.

Adjacent to Cave Point County Park, known for its limestone cliffs and wave-carved caves accessible for hiking and photography.

3. Newport State Park - Ellison Bay Area

Size: Approximately 2,370 acres
Location: Northern tip of the Door Peninsula, near Ellison Bay
Overview: Newport State Park is Wisconsin’s only officially designated wilderness state park, focusing on preservation and primitive recreation. It offers solitude and natural landscapes with minimal human impact.

Key Features:

Wilderness Experience: No developed campsites or roads; visitors must hike in and carry out all gear and waste.

Shoreline: Over 11 miles of Lake Michigan frontage with rugged cliffs, cobblestone beaches, and forested bluffs.

Trails: 30 miles of hiking trails including loop hikes, scenic overlooks, and routes through mature hardwood forests.

Dark Sky Designation: Recognized as an International Dark Sky Park, it provides exceptional conditions for stargazing, far from artificial light pollution.

Camping: Only backpack camping allowed at designated primitive sites; no RV or vehicle camping.

Wildlife: Habitat for diverse species including migratory birds, deer, and rare plants.

Visitor Information:

Open daily 6 AM to 11 PM.

Requires Wisconsin state park vehicle sticker for entrance.

Visitors should be prepared for remote backcountry conditions, with no potable water or cell service in most areas.

4. Potawatomi State Park - Near Sturgeon Bay

Size: Approximately 1,225 acres
Location: Western Door Peninsula along Green Bay
Overview: Potawatomi State Park features varied terrain with steep hills, limestone cliffs, and expansive views over Green Bay. It serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities year-round.

Key Features:

Observation Tower: Standing 225 feet above Green Bay, it offers one of the best panoramic views of the region.

Trails: Multiple hiking and biking trails that weave through forests, wetlands, and along the shoreline. In winter, trails convert for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.

Pier: A two-mile accessible pier extends into Green Bay, ideal for fishing and boat docking.

Camping: Offers both electric and non-electric campsites, group sites, modern restrooms, showers, and playgrounds.

Ice Age National Scenic Trail: The eastern terminus of this long-distance trail is located within the park.

Visitor Information:

Open daily with required vehicle sticker admission.

Camping reservations recommended during peak seasons.

Facilities accommodate families and anglers.

5. Rock Island State Park - Rock Island (Offshore Island)

Size: Approximately 912 acres
Location: Island at the tip of Door Peninsula in Green Bay
Overview: Rock Island State Park is a remote, ferry-access-only park known for its rugged wilderness, historic sites, and hiking trails. It provides a glimpse into Door County’s natural and cultural heritage with minimal modern development.

Key Features:

Access: Reachable only by ferry from Washington Island after crossing from the mainland, making it one of Wisconsin’s most isolated parks.

Trails: Over 10 miles of hiking trails circling the island through forests, along cliffs, and past archaeological sites.

Historic Structures: Includes an old Icelandic boathouse, lighthouse ruins, and a cemetery.

Primitive Camping: Walk-in campsites with minimal facilities; no potable water or electrical hookups. Fire rings and pit toilets are available.

Scenery: The island features rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, dense forests, and abundant bird and wildlife species.

Visitor Information:

Ferry service is seasonal and must be scheduled in advance.

Visitors must carry all gear and supplies needed for their stay.

Suitable for experienced campers seeking solitude and nature immersion.

Additional Notes

Park Admission: All Door County state parks require a Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker, which can be purchased for daily, annual, or lifetime use.

Seasonality: While parks are open year-round, facilities such as campgrounds, visitor centers, and ferry services operate primarily from spring through fall.

Accessibility: Peninsula and Whitefish Dunes Parks offer the most accessibility accommodations, including beach wheelchairs, ADA-compliant trails, and accessible observation towers.

Recreation: The parks collectively provide opportunities for hiking, biking, camping, fishing, boating, swimming, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, wildlife observation, and educational programs.

Conservation: Many parks are managed with an emphasis on preserving natural landscapes and habitats, especially Newport State Park, which maintains a wilderness designation.

Door County’s state parks offer visitors a wide variety of experiences, from the developed and highly accessible facilities of Peninsula State Park to the untouched backcountry solitude of Newport State Park and the island wilderness of Rock Island. Together, they represent the ecological diversity, geological history, and cultural significance of the Door Peninsula and the Great Lakes region, making them vital destinations for nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and cultural travelers.