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>>
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DNR Shifts from Demolition to Repair of Potawatomi Tower
When the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate gaveled in and out without any action on Gov. Tony Evers’ special session Tuesday, the $5 million question for those who support the historical repair of the Potawatomi State Park observation tower was whether the tower had become another political chip in the partisan world of Wisconsin politics. Rep. […]
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After six years, $3.7 million, and multiple setbacks and delays, the members of the Friends of Peninsula State Park’s (FOPSP) board of directors took their first steps up the new ramp to Eagle Tower with little fanfare Tuesday morning. For them, that was just fine. “Let’s do it,” President Chris Holicek said, and with that […]
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Help Restore Algoma’s Crescent Beach
Join Algoma’s Friends of Crescent Beach (FOCB) in its ongoing beach-restoration effort by helping to replace invasive species with native plants. Lovers of nature and Crescent Beach are encouraged to become Crescent Crew volunteers and attend an information session May 20, 6 pm, at Knudson Hall, 620 Lake St. in Algoma. The first work day […]
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Facilities, Infrastructure Upgrades at Peninsula State Park
Visitors to Peninsula State Park this year will be in for a treat, courtesy of a major transformation that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has carried out during the past year. Facilities and infrastructure upgrades include a new shower/restroom facility at the South Nicolet campground, restroom upgrades at the South Nicolet and Weborg Point […]
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A Tower Reborn…Almost: Eagle Tower opening delayed again
In a move fitting for the start-and-stop journey to rebuild Eagle Tower, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced Wednesday that the planned April 30 opening of the tower will be delayed for an unspecified length of time. That means folks will have to wait a little longer to climb to the top and take […]
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Ellison Bluff County Park Entrance Getting Blacktop
The Door County Board of Supervisors voted to transfer money to cover higher-than-anticipated costs to pave the gravel road leading into Ellison Bluff County Park. The work has been scheduled, but the only bid for the initial plan to double-chip-seal the road came in higher than anticipated, at $101,386.25. Instead, the Door County Highway Department […]
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Potawatomi Tower Achieves National Historic Status
It’s now official. The Potawatomi State Park Observation Tower has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the Secretary of the Interior, and listed on the State Register of Historic Places by the Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office. The Sturgeon Bay Historical Society Foundation, which has been fighting to save the neglected […]
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Skate This: Teresa K. Hilander Community Ice Rink
The recent cold snap isn’t great for a lot of outdoor activities, but it makes for a great base of ice at the Teresa K. Hilander Community Ice Rink in Sister Bay. The rink has been a popular spot this winter as people seek safe, outdoor activities. Founded in the late 1990s by a local […]
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Bruemmer Provides Matching Donation for New Zoo Exhibit
Kewaunee County is planning to break ground this year on a new exhibit at Bruemmer Park Zoo (bruemmerparkzoo.com) through a $100,000 matching donation from Steve Bruemmer, grandson of Leo Bruemmer and great-nephew of Otto Bruemmer. Steve Bruemmer also recently provided $20,000 to purchase four life-sized animal statues for the zoo’s green space. Now he’s working […]
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Skate This: Teresa K. Hilander Community Ice Rink
The recent cold snap isn’t great for a lot of outdoor activities, but it makes for a great base of ice at the Teresa K. Hilander Community Ice Rink in Sister Bay. The rink has been a popular spot this winter as people seek safe outdoor activities. Founded in the late-1990s by a group of […]
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Donors Can ‘Name’ a Bench Near New Eagle Tower
With the opening of the new Eagle Tower anticipated later this spring, the Friends of Peninsula State Park are offering an opportunity to preserve tower and park memories through a limited number of benches near the tower. They are available to “name” to honor a loved one or acknowledge a personal or family connection. Gift […]
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VIDEO – Lesser Known Door County: The Dark Sky
In the latest video produced by Peninsula Film Works for Destination Door County, get a look at the dark skies of Newport State Park. The park is one of the few International Dark Sky Parks in the country. “This place is special,” says Beth Bartoli, naturalist at Newport State Park. “You really don’t know until […]
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Bike This: Skyline Road to Sven’s Bluff (Even in Winter)
Winter biking seemed to be an endeavor for the crazy or the nerveless just a few years ago. Now it’s a common sight thanks to the rise of the fat tire. There aren’t many groomed trails in the county for the most exhilarating riding experience, but you can still get a great ride in through […]
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DNR Announces Temporary Trail Closures at Potawatomi State Park
Temporary trail closures to the northern half of Potawatomi State Park’s trail system are in immediate effect while logging operations are underway to improve safety for visitors and the health of the ecosystem. During the scheduled logging operation, a commercial logger contracted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will remove hazardous trees impacted by […]
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Kewaunee County to Open Ice Rink, Winter Park
The Kewaunee County Promotions and Recreation Department (KCPRD, kewauneeco.org or visitkewauneecounty.com) will soon open the new Dana Farm Ice Skating Rink, funded primarily with a donation from Kewaunee County Farm Technology Days 2017. The free, lit, outdoor rink – at N3787 Ransom Moore Lane, adjacent to Winter Park – is freezing over and will open as […]
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Baileys Harbor Looks at Next Steps for Anclam Park
During a budget hearing this fall, Baileys Harbor officials expressed uncertainty about 2021 spending needs for flagstone and heating repairs for the town hall and costs to complete repairs at Anclam Park. In December, board members reached a consensus to hold down costs on one of those – the jetty repairs. Bashed by waves and […]
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Curiousities: What If Europe Bay Had Been Parceled Off?
The picturesque shoreline of Europe Bay beach and dark skies of Newport State Park are cherished by those living on the remote northern tip of the peninsula, but the area was almost lost to private development during the 1970s. The Hotz Gate on Europe Bay Road marks the spot where Ferdinand Hotz — once the […]
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Towers Rising: Maritime Tower, Eagle Tower Nearing Completion
Much has been made of the loss of Eagle Tower and potentially Potawatomi Tower, but two new towers are rising toward completion in Door County. At Peninsula State Park, progress on the new Eagle Tower continues, with hopes for completion by the end of the year. The new tower will be shorter than the original, […]
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Hike This: Door Bluff Headlands County Park
Near the northernmost reaches of the peninsula, one of Door County’s most underrated natural areas conceals its secret vistas from most visitors. Door Bluff Headlands County Park stands largely undisturbed, beckoning adventurers to get to know this hidden gem. Aside from an access road to the interior of the park, Door Bluff Headlands County Park […]
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Potawatomi Tower Listed on State Historic Register
The State Historic Preservation Review Board voted unanimously Friday to put the Potawatomi State Park observation tower on the State Register of Historic Places. The tower’s formal addition to the state’s list means the status will be forwarded to the U.S. Department of the Interior for consideration for inclusion on the National Register of Historic […]