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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>>

  • Pebble Beach Sold …Into Preservation

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    The waters of Lake Michigan were lapping gently on the stones of Pebble Beach as Jack Hayes corralled his family for a photo July 15. The beach has been a staple of the Lisle, Illinois, family’s Door County vacations for 20 years, but on this day, the Hayes family wondered how much longer that would […]

  • This Weekend in Door County: Carlsville Day, Cherries and Plein Air Art

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    Festivals and Celebrations  Carlsville Day (July 27)  Head to Carlsville this Saturday to enjoy a parade, delicious food, a pie-eating contest, a grape/cherry stomp, free waterslides, pet psychic readings and more! Read more>> Cherry Festival at Seaquist Orchards (July 27, 10 am-3 pm)  Join Seaquist Orchards as they kick off the cherry season in Door […]

  • Green Bay Offers Anglers a Smorgasbord of Species

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    Green Bay anglers are finding a smorgasbord of fish species willing to take the bait. Yellow perch action is heating up right along with the weather this month, and there’s been a wide variety of sizes available. Many anglers are keeping fish seven to 11 inches, with an occasional jumbo that’s a foot long or […]

  • This Weekend in Door County: Cherries, LEGOs and Live Music

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     Door County kicks off cherry season with festivals at Lautenbach’s Orchard Winery and Market and Cherry De-Lite Country Ovens. This weekend’s highlights also include Brick Party by the Bay and plenty of live music.  Festivals  Stop by the Summer Cherry Harvest Fest at Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery and Market, this Saturday (July 20, 10 am- […]

  • Lukes and Anderson to Lead Toft Point Hike July 20

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    Join the Climate Change Coalition (CCC) of Door County for “Toft Point: A Nature Lover’s Dream” – a guided hike through a pristine, old-growth forest in Baileys Harbor – on July 20, 10 am – 12 pm. Charlotte Lukes and Nick Anderson will lead the hike and share their deep knowledge of the forest and Toft […]

  • This Weekend in Door County: Folk Festival, Sea Kayak Symposium and More

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    The festivities in Door County don’t stop after the Fourth of July weekend! In fact, we are in the midst of the most happenin’ time of the summer here on the peninsula. Check out this weekend’s highlights below. Festivals and Celebrations Door County Folk Festival  Stop by Baileys Harbor this weekend (July 10-14) to participate […]

  • Free Sunset Yoga in Sister Bay

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    All are welcome to enjoy free, outdoor, sunset yoga in Sister Bay’s Waterfront Park on Mondays, 7-8 pm, July 1 through Sept. 2. Try it once, or join the class every week. Certified instructors from Ironwood Yoga will teach. Limited mats will be available, so supply your own mat if possible. Ironwood Yoga, Ecology and […]

  • This Weekend in Door County: Spuds, Mud and Music

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    This weekend, experience live music, special performances, and theater across the peninsula. Spend a day outside with the whole family at programs such as Peninsula State Park’s celebration of International Mud Day. Then, end the day with delicious, build-your-own food at the Spuds N’ Splits fundraiser.  Music and Performance “Quintessential Quintets,” featuring quintets by Mozart […]

  • Eagle Bluff: The Lighthouse with a Story

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    Sitting high on the bluffs of Peninsula State Park, right off Shore Road, Eagle Bluff Lighthouse is the perfect destination for a blend of beautiful views and local history. While driving (or hiking or biking) along Shore Road’s winding, sun-speckled path, be on the lookout for bright wildflowers and softly stepping deer. In late May […]

  • This Weekend in Door County: Wine, Dine and Celebrate Pride

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    This weekend, check out Door County Wine Fest, Uncork Summer, Open Door Pride and Paddlefest. Festivals Wine Fest On June 22 (12-4 pm), enjoy unlimited tasting of award-winning wines from eight local wineries and relaxing music from the Fabulous Rugburns at Wine Fest’s new location in Sunset Park, Sturgeon Bay. Food will be available for […]

  • New Tribute Wall at Nicolet Beach Shelter

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    The Friends of Peninsula State Park unveiled a new tribute wall (PeninsulaFriends.org/tribute) at the Nicolet Beach shelter at Peninsula State Park on May 25. Donors who made a gift of $1,000, $1,500 or $2,500 could specify the wording on a plate to honor family members or friends. These donations are helping to provide three new […]

  • This Weekend in Door County: Bikes, Beer and Fyr Bal

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    Festivals Peninsula Century Spring Classic Avid and casual cyclists alike will enjoy this scenic ride on June 15, beginning in Baileys Harbor at 7 am, which offers 25-, 50-, 62- and 100-mile (“century”) courses with aid stations along the way. Celebrate with a post-ride meal back in Baileys Harbor. Riders can register on-site Friday, June […]

  • This Weekend in Door County: Lighthouse Festival and Goat Fest

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    This weekend, learn about Door County history during Lighthouse Festival, celebrate goats in Sister Bay, and experience live music throughout the peninsula. Festivals Lighthouse Festival and 150th Anniversary Celebration of the Baileys Harbor Range Lights Explore and celebrate Door County’s 11 historic lighthouses from June 7-9. Tours, tales, boat excursions and educational programming will take […]

  • Maifest Parade

    2019 Jacksonport Maifest Schedule of Events

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    The 47th annual celebration of Jacksonport Maifest is taking place on May 25-26. Since 1973,  the Jacksonport Advancement Corporation, a non-profit organization committed to community benefit and enrichment, has hosted Door County’s unofficial summer kick-off festival at Lakeside Park, located at the intersection of County V and Highway 57. Event highlights include the grand parade […]

  • Volunteers Prepare Plum Island for Visitors

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    May 11 was the year’s first Plum Island volunteer work day, sponsored by the Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. About a dozen people helped to get the island ready for visitors. Fall and winter stormy weather damaged part of its pier, so new stringers had to be […]

  • County Parks Department Offers Michigan St. Home

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    With the recent acquisition of the Younkers building next to the Door County Historical Museum, the county has been pondering what to do with the house at 442 Michigan St. that was purchased for $89,000 in August 2008 to serve as archival storage for the museum. At its May 8 meeting, the county Facilities & […]

  • Peninsula State Park’s Blossoms and Birds Program

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    Join the Peninsula State Park naturalist on May 14 and 21 for the Blossoms and Birds program: an easy walk of about a half mile to look for spring wildflowers and migrating birds – shorebirds and palm, yellow-rumped and other warblers. The walks start at 8 am and last about an hour. Take binoculars if you […]

  • Half Marathon Registration Closes Monday

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    Organizers of the Door County Half Marathon and Nicolet Bay 5k have extended registration through Monday, April 29. “We’ve had a lot of runners transfer from the half marathon to the 5k, which has opened some spots in the half marathon,” said race director Brian Fitzgerald. The race takes place Saturday, May 4 in Peninsula […]

  • High Costs Delay Eagle Tower Reconstruction

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    When the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) dismantled Eagle Tower in 2016, officials said it would be extremely expensive to reconstruct it in accordance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It turns out that the expense is even greater than expected. The lowest bid for the project came in at $3.6 […]

  • Hike at Peninsula State Park

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    Join a Peninsula State Park naturalist for a hike along Skyline Trail on April 27, 10 to 11:30 am. Leatherleaf, a pretty shrub with yellow blossoms, should be blooming; migrating shorebirds may be visible at the outset; then it’s into the woods for a walk past the historic girls-camp site and up to Sven’s Bluff. […]