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>>
-
Belgian Kermiss, Kite Festival & More Weekend Plans
Summer is quickly coming to a close. Be sure to take advantage of the beautiful August weather. Survey the land on Plum Island, watch some Shakespeare in Potawatomi State Park or spelunk through the Horseshoe Bay Cave. Friday, Aug. 19 Honey Dewdrops Take a picnic dinner and a bottle of wine to enjoy before Woodwalk […]
-
Door County Spirit: Camp Meenahga’s 100th Anniversary
Door County is a boomerang. I have heard this sentence repeated too many times to count in my 14 years here. People arrive, they stay, they get flung all over the world, but always-always they return. Why? Because there’s something indefinable about the county’s land and water, its inhabitants, and the culture that gets stuck […]
-
Baileys Harbor Adds to Public Waterfront Access Points
Baileys Harbor resident Mariah Goode presented an idea to the town board at its Aug. 8 meeting to spruce up three public waterfront access points in the town. The idea to draw more attention to the waterfront access points is one of the many ideas developed during a weekend community envisioning experience held in the […]
-
Door County Land Trust Hosts Free Hike in Sister Bay
Door County Land Trust is hosting a free hike on Saturday, July 23, at the Three Springs Nature Preserve in Sister Bay, with its majestic cedar forest, wetlands and creek. During the past 120 years, the Three Springs property has been home to only three families. Today, the story of the Three Springs Nature Preserve […]
-
Sister Bay Sued Over Beach Concerts
The Yacht Club of Sister Bay filed a lawsuit against the Village of Sister Bay for damaging noise levels during concerts at the pavilion in the village’s Waterfront Park. “Numerous times over the past year and a half, our [Yacht Club] board tried to reach out to the village,” said Rob Zoschke, general manager for […]
-
International Food Festival, “Julius Caesar” & More Weekend Plans
Whether you enjoy delicious foods, dramatic performances or deft jazz musicians, Door County has you covered. Learn about the night sky at Newport or take a few pointers from a ceramic artist this weekend. Friday, July 22 International Food Festival Get a taste for flavors around the world with this delicious food festival. Sponsored by […]
-
Editor’s note: While Roy Lukes died at the age of 86 on June 26, his nature columns will continue to live on in the Pulse with the help of Roy’s wife, Charlotte, who has agreed to continue providing work from Roy’s extensive archives. For that reason, the column will include both their names. An interesting […]
-
Comedic Nuns, Ben Folds & More Weekend Plans
This weekend has plenty to offer in events both in and out of doors. Become a kayaking expert, bust a gut at Rogue Theater, or bring home the win at the Belgian Days volleyball tournament. Friday, July 8 Rutabaga Door County Sea Kayak Symposium Paddlers of all skill levels are welcome to participate in […]
-
Creative Kids Day Returns to Northern Sky Theater
For more than a decade now, Northern Sky Theater has offered Creative Kids Day – a day of creativity dedicated to children and teens interested in learning more about what it means to be part of a professional musical theater troupe in Door County. Over the years, hundreds of youth have taken advantage of the […]
-
Renaissance Faire, Lumberjacks & More Weekend Plans
This busy holiday weekend is chock-full of activities for adventurers of all types. Delve into the county’s geographic past, dance the night away at Fishstock or discover some of the best beers on the peninsula. Curious about Fourth of July firework and parade schedules? Find them here. Friday, July 1 Beer & Burger Trolley Tour […]
-
A New Place for Pooches in Baileys Harbor
A wide variety of eager canines accompanied their owners for the June 16 grand opening of the new Capt. Baileys Dog Park on Summit Road in Baileys Harbor. “This isn’t just a dog park for dogs. It’s a dog park for people with dogs,” said Baileys Harbor town chair Don Sitte before cutting a ribbon […]
-
Grand Scandia Golf Benefit July 17
Good Samaritan Scandia Village will host the Grand Scandia Golf Benefit at Peninsula State Park Golf Course on July 17 with tee-off at noon. This popular outing includes 18-holes of golf with a cart, great prizes and a fabulous dinner at Alexander’s Restaurant. There will be fun contests throughout the day and the opportunity to […]
-
Campfire Songs & Stories at Peninsula State Park
Charles Dickson and Don Makuen have entertained Peninsula State Park visitors with campfire songs and stories for more than 15 years. They’ll be back this summer, sharing their brand of family fun. If you’ve never seen these octogenarians lead a campfire, you don’t know what you’ve been missing! Campfires are from 8 to 9 pm […]
-
Bat Program at Newport State Park
Did you know the bat species makes up nearly one quarter of the planet’s mammal diversity? These superheroes of the night sky are responsible for worldwide pest control, seed dispersal and pollination, among other benefits. However, the hibernating bats of North America are rapidly disappearing from a fungal disease, white-nose syndrome (WNS), which has caused […]
-
Italian Night Out, Improvised Orchestra, Motor Show & More Weekend Plans
With June wrapping up, summer is kicking into high gear. Take the time this weekend to get out on the water, out to the theater, or out on the dance floor. Friday, June 24 Nature Program Join Jennifer Redell, WDNR bat biologist, in Newport State Park as she presents on bats and conducts a survey […]
-
Summit Players Theatre Comes to Potawatomi State Park August 19
Summit Players Theatre will make a stop at Potawatomi State Park in Sturgeon Bay on Aug. 19 at 7 pm. Summit Players Theatre is a traveling, seven-member theater company who present short, accessible, free Shakespeare workshops and performances to audiences around the state of Wisconsin. Summit Players pride themselves on performing accessible Shakespeare that anyone […]
-
Eagle Bluff Lighthouse Open for Daily Tours
Eagle Bluff Lighthouse is now open for tours daily from 10 am with the last tour at 3:30 pm. Located in Peninsula State Park, this picturesque lighthouse has been restored by the Door County Historical Society and is furnished back to the 1883-1918 days when it was home to Captain Duclon and Julia and their […]
-
Hike with Newport’s Naturalist
Meet the Newport State Park naturalist for a guided hike on June 18 at 10 am. It will be a morning of discovering all that Newport State Park has to offer. The naturalist will point out trees, shrubs and wildflowers, as well as geologic and historical features of the park. This will be an easy, […]
-
Baileys Harbor’s New Dog Park to Open in June
The Baileys Harbor Community Association is proud to announce that the new Captain Bailey’s Dog Park will open in June. There will be a grand opening and ribbon cutting on June 16 at 6 pm. The dog park is located on Summit Road, next to the Rec Park. To get all the latest updates, find […]
-
Steel Bridge Songfest, Pork Fest & More Weekend Plans
This weekend there are plenty of opportunities to learn about the various elements that make Door County so special. Explore historic lighthouses, interact with artists, and get up close and personal with the peninsula’s diverse flora and fauna. Friday, June 10 Steel Bridge Songfest Kick off the summer music fest scene with the 12th annual […]