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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>>

  • First Fall Hunting Permits Go on Sale This Weekend

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    If you’re looking for a bonus wild turkey tag or an antlerless deer permit for your up-north getaway, don’t press the snooze button during the coming days. Only 2,000 bonus turkey permits are available for Zone 2, which includes Door and Kewaunee counties. They’ll go on sale at 10 am on Saturday, Aug. 17, for […]

  • More Delays for Eagle Tower: New bids still $1 million over budget

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    The odds of anyone climbing to the top of a new Eagle Tower anytime soon are getting slimmer.  A second round of bids for the project came in $1 million over budget, leaving the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) scrambling to find additional funds to make up the gap.  When the DNR deconstructed the […]

  • Food Trucks and Floaties at Anclam Beach

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    No shoes, no shirts, no problem! Celebrate the food-truck scene in Baileys Harbor during Food Trucks and Floaties (baileysharbor.doorcounty.com) on Aug. 17, 11 am – 4 pm. Enjoy offerings from local food-truck vendors – Chives’ Harbor Pizza and Harbor Griddle & Grill trucks, the Lumberjack Taco Shack, Wally’s Weenie Wagon and Ohana Hospitality – and […]

  • Newport Wilderness Days Show off Exceptional Park

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    On Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, Newport State Park will host Newport Wilderness Days (newportwildernesssociety.org): an event that started in 1992 as a way for the Newport Wilderness Society – the park’s official friends group – to showcase its beautiful park. Volunteers will lead hikes and programs that cover many areas of interest. Activities on Aug. 31 […]

  • Food Trucks & Floaties at Anclam Beach

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    Beat the summer heat by heading to Baileys Harbor’s Anclam Beach and Park for Food Trucks & Floaties on Aug. 17, 11 am – 4 pm. Baileys Harbor is celebrating its food-truck scene with Chives’ Harbor Pizza and Harbor Griddle & Grill trucks, the Lumberjack Taco Shack, Wally’s Weenie Wagon and Ohana Hospitality. Also check […]

  • Land Trust Meets Pebble Beach Goal, Village Begins Fundraising Effort

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    The Door County Land Trust has met its $500,000 fundraising goal to protect Pebble Beach fewer than two weeks after launching the effort. A generous gift from donors Mary and Bob Wiley of Sister Bay put the effort to protect the 17-acre parcel, which includes 600 feet of pristine shoreline, over the top. The land […]

  • This Weekend in Door County: Wooden Boats, Shanty Days and Automobiles

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    From Washington Island to Algoma, the peninsula is abuzz with activity. To plan a fun filled weekend for your friends and family, check out the highlighted festivals, celebrations, outdoor activities and musical acts listed below Festivals and Celebrations Shanty Days (August 9-11)  Head to Crescent Beach, Algoma this weekend for the 33rd annual Shanty Days […]

  • ‘Romeo and Juliet’ at Peninsula State Park: Great Theater in a Great Park

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    Peninsula State Park welcomes Summit Players Theatre (summitplayerstheatre.com) Aug. 4 for a workshop and performance of Shakespeare’s classic tale of love and loss, Romeo and Juliet.  This outdoor adventure will begin with a family-friendly workshop, Playing with Shakespeare: Get Outside with Will, at 1 pm, when you can meet the actors and familiarize yourself with […]

  • 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 […]