A Wisconsin Treasure

Waves crash along the shores of Whitefish Dunes State Park.

After receiving Gifford Pinchot’s report in 1905 on the natural areas in the United States that should be preserved, President Teddy Roosevelt recommended that the sand dunes on the west shore of Lake Michigan be preserved. In 1977, the highest of these dunes became Whitefish Dunes State Park.

What do we have in this park?

1. The highest sand dunes on Lake Michigan’s west shore.

2. 1.4 miles of sand beach.

3. Rock cove and rocky shore.

4. Clark Lake shoreline with an ice shove and lagoon.

5. A wetland with a boardwalk.

6. Fourteen miles of hiking and nine miles of skiing trails.

7. Natural history exhibits.

8. Information from two archaeological digs.

9. A cedar pavilion with a large fireplace.

10. Two streams, Whitefish Bay and its northern tributary.

11. A red pine plantation with a thinned and control demonstration area.

12. A 230-acre state-designated natural area.

13. A 300-acre northern mesic forest.

14. A total park acreage of 867.

15. 1,200 pupils visiting on field trips each year.

16. 218,455 visitors in 2014.

Porcupine spotted in Whitefish Dunes State Park.

17. A bird watcher’s paradise.

18. An excellent selection of nature books for sale.

19. The largest Door County red Maple tree and a very large Juneberry tree.

20. Significant biodiversity of flora and fauna.

21. A flora revelation in a deer enclosure.

22. An interesting collection of glacial erratics.

23. Special programs such as candlelight hikes and skis.

An apparently well used porcupine den at Whitefish Dunes State Park.

24. Hundreds of dune thistles (Dirsium pitcher) that are on state and federal endangered lists.

25. An opportunity to observe natural ecological succession from dune to climax forest.

26. A picnic area under a canopy of white Cedars (arbor vitae).

27. An incredible 239 mushroom species.

28. An archaeological representation of the Woodland and Oneota people who lived here.

29. The Brachiopod Trail is handicap accessible.

31. The dwarf lake iris (Iris lacustris0 is on state and federal endangered lists.

32. The park’s heart – offices, auditorium, service area, exhibit room, observation deck and flagpole.

33. Essential to the park, the maintenance-operation building.

34. Four parking lot areas with separating natural islands.

35. A federally recognized historic site.

36. A competent staff.

37. An outstanding Friends of Whitefish Dunes State Park organization.