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Newport Wilderness Days

Newport State Park hosts Newport Wilderness Days, Sept. 1 & 2. This event at Newport State Park was started in 1992 as a way for the members of Newport Wilderness Society, the park’s friends group, to showcase their wilderness park. Volunteers lead hikes and programs Labor Day weekend, covering many areas of interest.

This year’s programs include:  

SEPT. 1

  • Coffee on the Beach, 8:30am: Enjoy a cup of coffee, courtesy of Kick Ash Coffee, to start your day on the beach. Meet at the picnic area, Lot 3.
  • Herb Hike, 10am:  Dave LaLuzerne will lead hikers to find and identify beneficial herbs. Learn how the plants that flourish in this climate can help you flourish as well. Meet at the Nature Center, Lot 1.
  • International Dark Sky Park program, 12:30pm:  Given by the park naturalist, hear all about the Dark Sky Park designation given to Newport and what it means for the park. Held in the Nature Center, Lot 1.
  • Bug Walk, 2pm:  Join entomologist Dick Smythe as he explores the world of insects. Spend an hour learning about spiders, butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies and other insects that can be found at Newport. If you have a butterfly net, please bring it. Meet at the Nature Center with a hike to follow.

SEPT. 2

  • Trees and Shrubs of Door County, 11:30am:  Join arborist and horticulturist Tom Wolfe as he shares his vast knowledge about trees and shrubs. Meet in the Nature Center, parking lot 1.
  • Geology Hike, 1pm:  Join geologist Jack Travis and learn about the fascinating and rich geologic history of the Door Peninsula and Newport State Park. This hike will start at Sugarbush Trail, Lot 4.
  • Animals or Land and Water, 1:30pm:  Charlotte Lukes will give a PowerPoint presentation that showcases the many animals that call Door County home. She will share many of her late husband Roy’s pictures. Meet in the Nature Center, Lot 1.

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so call the park at 920.854.2500 to check. Newport State Park is located at 475 Cty NP in Ellison Bay.

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