Door County’s Perfect Picnic Places

If summer arrives in Door County with the first backyard barbeques around Memorial Day, then a picnic on the Fourth of July brazenly declares that the season of sun is here to stay. So, whether your standard fare is rainbow colored shish kabobs, a bottle of wine with gourmet cheese and crackers, or just a plain old PBJ, here are a few of our favorite picnic places along the peninsula.

Beach Bonanza

Whitefish Dunes State Park

For some sand and sun, pack the cooler and kids and take a trip to Whitefish Dunes State Park. With three miles of shoreline, there’s not a better expanse of beach to throw down a blanket, sip on some lemonade and munch on watermelon. If you’re the type to bring the pooch with to the picnic, no problem, simply make sure to access the beach via the red trail, entering the beach at the third access point.

It’s Tailgating Time

Volleyball Courts on County A

If tailgating suits your mood, load the grill in the back of the pick-up and head to the volleyball courts on County A on a Wednesday night. The home of the Northern Door Volleyball League, these sand courts come to life from 7 – 10 pm, creating a scene that could rival the parking lot at Lambeau. Okay, maybe the scene is not that crazy, but if you’ve got a little skill with the grill, you’re sure to make a friend or two.

Romantic Rendezvous

Sunset Park

So you’re looking to set the mood? There’s not a better place for a romantic rendezvous – at least not one that the locals are willing to share – than Sunset Park in Fish Creek. Stop by the Fish Creek Market for gourmet snacks, a deli sandwich and beverage of choice, which is probably best consumed from a paper cup (hint, hint), and walk down to the end of Main Street for a breathtaking sunset over Green Bay.

Off the Beaten Path

Sand Bay Town Park

With the thousands of visitors each summer, Door County’s five state parks and even the dozen-plus county parks, can seem a bit crowded at times. Often overlooked are the town parks that dot the peninsula. For instance, check out Sand Bay Town Park (from Highway 42, turn east on Waters End Road, take a left onto Sand Bay Lane just before the reaching the waters of Lake Michigan, and the park will be on the right side). With a place to picnic and a little stretch of beach, this park provides a respite from the more traveled tourist destinations – or at least it did before this paper went to press. On occasion, if the wind is just right, you’ll catch the local kiteboarders throwing down X-Games-worthy tricks out on the water.

Early to Rise

Cave Point County Park

And, if you’re thinking a mid-day picnic is not enough of a challenge, try pulling yourself out of bed pre-dawn to catch the sunrise at Cave Point County Park while nibbling on a scone and sipping a hot cup of coffee. This 19-acre park offers a picnic area, parking and restroom facilities all within a hop, skip and a jump. Besides, the picturesque limestone ledges and the thunderous crashing of waves into the hollows of the caves provide the perfect backdrop to start most any day.

No Secret Here

Nicolet Bay Beach

Found in Peninsula State Park, it’s no secret that Nicolet Beach is abounding with activity every day of the summer. Whether a group of two or twenty, the locale offers a smattering of activities and plenty of space to keep you entertained between flipping those burgers. So, get out the red and white checkered table cloth and don’t forget to pack the Frisbee for a whole afternoon of fun.