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Category: Parks

Door County is the only county in Wisconsin with five state parks, plus one state trail. No visit to the peninsula is complete without exploring these pristine open spaces that are home to historic landmarks, rare flora and fauna, hiking trails, and much more.

Peninsula State Park

The crown jewel of the Wisconsin State Park system, Peninsula State Park offers more than 3,700 acres for exploration.

Bike or hike on the Sunset Bike Trail, or challenge yourself on more than 12 miles of off-road biking trails weaving through the woods. Rent kayaks and peddle boats at Nicolet Beach Concessions at famous Nicolet Bay beach, where you can also get snacks, burgers, supplies, and ice cream.

The park is also home to the beautiful Peninsula State Park Golf Course, award-winning Northern Sky Theatre and historic Eagle Bluff Lighthouse. The 75-foot Eagle Tower was closed in May 2015 for structural concerns, but is expected to reopen in 2018. More>>

Potawatomi State Park

Home of the eastern trailhead of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, 75-foot observation tower and views of Green Bay from the escarpment, overlook of the park’s old ski hill, several picnic areas and playgrounds, more than 2 miles of shoreline, canoe, kayak, paddleboat and bicycle rentals, boat launch and fish cleaning station, nature center and park store. More>>

Newport State Park

Newport State Park is Wisconsin’s only formally designated wilderness park, with miles of sand beach, secluded hike-in camping on the lakeshore, quiet hiking and biking trails, and great skiing in winter. More>>

Rock Island State Park

If you want a quiet beach, Rock Island is your place. The sand beach on the north side of the island was recently lauded in Minnesota Monthly magazine as one of the last “remains of old Door County.” More>>

Whitefish Dunes State Park

It was the rare botanicals, unique beauty and the largest and most significant dunescape on Lake Michigan’s western shore that led noted landscape architect Jens Jensen to recommend Whitefish Dunes as a state park site in 1937. More>>

Ahnapee State Trail

We are quick to praise Door County’s five state parks as the crown jewels of the county, but we often forget about the Ahnapee State Trail. The county-operated trail runs 48 miles between Sturgeon Bay and Algoma and its history as a railroad predates the founding of the parks system. More>>

  • Crossroads to Offer Summer Family Programs

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    Thanks to a grant from the MMG Foundation, Crossroads at Big Creek offers Family Programs throughout the summer so people of all ages can learn about their environment together. Summer educator Joan Wilkie will present hands-on activities for all ages each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (except July 4) at 10 am starting in the Collins […]

  • Kayak Tours at Peninsula State Park

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    Peninsula State Park has offered naturalist-led kayak tours since 2004, and this summer is no different. Two-hour tours take place Fridays from 10 am to 12 pm, from June 29 through the end of August. See the peninsula’s incredible bluffs from the water, learn how they formed and learn about area fish, water birds and […]

  • Crossroads Offering Summer Family Programs

    By ,

    Thanks to a grant from the MMG Foundation, Crossroads at Big Creek offers Family Programs throughout the summer so people of all ages can learn about their environment together. Summer educator Joan Wilkie will present hands-on activities for all ages each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (except July 4) at 10 am starting in the Collins […]

  • This Weekend in Door County: Wine Festival & Football

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    It’s officially summer and it’s hard to keep track of all different activities to do in the county. Check out all the fun happening in Door County this weekend. Friday, June 29 ‘The Emissary’ Screening Stop at Base Camp Coffee in Sister Bay to check out the locally filmed sci-fi epic, The Emissary. When a lone space […]

  • This Weekend in Door County: Open Door Pride and Uncork Summer

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    As summer starts to heat up in Door County so do its weekend activities. Check out all the fun happening in Door County this weekend. Friday, June 22 New restaurants in Door County Before the summer season starts to pick up, right now is a perfect time to try one of Door County’s new restaurants. […]

  • Sister Bay Hosts Paddlefest at Waterfront Park

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    Check out the newest kayaks and stand-up paddleboards at Sister Bay’s Paddlefest at Waterfront Park on June 23, 9:30 am – 1 pm. Demonstrations and free use of kayaks and paddleboards are provided by Bay Shore Outfitters. The beachfront rental site is open 1 – 5 pm. Start your day on the water with SUP […]

  • DNR Responds to Criticism About Master Plan

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    More than 30 people filtered into Stone Harbor Resort as soon as the doors opened on the public comment open house held by the Department of Natural Resources regarding the proposed master plan for northeast Wisconsin properties. In the three weeks since the release of the draft master plan, which includes Door County’s five state […]

  • Slinger Student Wins State Park Sticker Contest

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    A pair of hiking boots hitting the trail by Slinger High School sophomore Rory Macha, is the winning design for the 2019 Wisconsin State Park admission sticker design contest. The winning design will be printed on state park and forest annual vehicle admission stickers and will be displayed on more than 265,000 vehicles. “This design […]

  • DNR Releases Draft Plan for State Parks

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    A Department of Natural Resources (DNR) draft master plan for the region including Door County’s state parks includes some expansion of existing facilities and creation of new ones. The plan is up for public comment and review, with a public meeting scheduled for May 29 at Stone Harbor in Sturgeon Bay at 5 pm. The […]

  • Hike to Ida Bay Preserve

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    The Collins Learning Center at Crossroads at Big Creek is closed May 25 and 26 to participate in the Door County Festival of Nature and the Master Gardener Plant Sale. Crossroads is a partnering organization for the Festival and the Master Gardeners hold information presentations at the center. Even though the Collins Learning Center is […]

  • Spring Fling: Nature Walks in Peninsula State Park

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    Peninsula State Park offers two spring nature walks this week. On May 10, from 10 to 11:30 am, walk a two-mile route to see sky-high bluffs of the Niagara Escarpment, to watch for trilliums and to learn park history. Eagle Trail is muddy, slippery and a difficult trail. Meet at the Eagle Tower parking lot. […]

  • A Run in the Park…No Matter What: Door County Half Marathon is Here

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    In the middle of April, the snows of spring came. They always do in Door County, but this was different.  Eight to twelve inches. No, 10 to 16 inches. Strike that, could be 20 inches. Or it could just be rain.  With the ice of this long winter still on the course, we hoped for […]

  • Peninsula State Park Hosts Campfire Reading for Earth Day

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    Gather round a Peninsula State Park campfire April 22, 11 am to noon, to hear The Lorax read. This classic Dr. Seuss story is about taking care of Planet Earth. Meet at the Nature Center. Kids can decorate a Lorax wind-sock with truffula trees and swomee swans. All ages welcome. The program is free but […]

  • Newport State Park Celebrates Earth Day and International Dark Sky Week with a Number of Events

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    Newport State Park celebrates International Dark Sky Week on April 18, 7:30 pm with a presentation and night sky viewing. The presentation will be given by International Dark-Sky Association about lighting and light pollution. There will be sky viewing after the presentation, if weather and conditions permit. All are welcome to bring binoculars and telescopes. […]

  • Potawatomi Tower Coming Down

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    The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced Tuesday afternoon that the Potawatomi State Park observation tower will be closed immediately and deconstructed, Paul Holtan of the DNR’s office of communications confirmed. The tower has stood in the park since 1932. A DNR press release said significant wood decay creating unsafe conditions. A similar tower located […]

  • City Will Present Draft Plan for Bradley Lake Project Wednesday

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    The City of Sturgeon Bay is embarking on the next phase of its Bradley Lake restoration project with a public hearing Wednesday. Bradley Lake is also often referred to as Little Lake. The informational meeting will be held March 28 at 6 pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 421 Michigan Street. Representatives from Foth […]

  • Newport State Park Holds Tree Identification Program

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    Newport State Park’s Feb. 18 program is “Tree Identification in Winter” at 1:30 pm. Arborist and horticulturist Tom Wolfe will share his vast knowledge of trees as attendees learn to identify trees during winter months. There could be some time spent outdoors, depending on the weather. Please dress accordingly. Meet in the Nature Center.

  • A Guide to New Year’s Celebrations in Door County

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    We put it all in one place, all the live music, community celebrations, parades and plunges around the county on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Now get out and do it! New Year’s Eve Ski or snowshoe for free at Crossroads at Big Creek New Year’s Eve afternoon from 1 – 3:30 pm. […]

  • Kewaunee’s Winter Park Nearly Ready to Debut Magic Carpet

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    The installation and inspection of the Magic Carpet at Winter Park in Kewaunee County is a wrap. Now, all that’s needed for the Kewaunee County Promotion & Recreation Department to put its five snow guns to use to create the perfect conditions for snow tubing, skiing and snowboarding, is for the temperature to drop below […]

  • Kids Invited to Hike the Evergreen Forest at Crossroads

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    Family outings at Crossroads at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay are special. When youngsters are along, it takes a little extra time to cover a trail, but the kids always survive and usually notice things that adults might miss. Families are invited to take park in a hike of the evergreen forest Dec. 9 at […]