Whitefish Dunes State Park

Ski, walk or snowshoe, then enjoy a bonfire & treats. Park pass required.

Charlotte Lukes leads a hike through the fascinating world of fungi. Free, but state park vehicle sticker required. Meet at the Nature Center.

Explore the park by candlelight on skis, snowshoes or hiking. Join the Friends of Whitefish Dunes for this special night event. Enjoy warming up at the shelter building with refreshments. Separate trails for skiing and snowshoe/hiking. Event is free but a state park vehicle sticker is required.

Celebrate Earth Day by helping get the park spruced up. Please call the park for more information. 920.823.2400

A short presentation introduces you to birds and birding. Learn about essential birding items. Test what you learned with a walk in the park. Led by Bill and Sarah Krouse. Bring binoculars if you have them. Meet at the Nature Center. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

Come and enjoy the beach or hike the trails. No state park sticker or trail passes required.

12pm-8pm. Free Fun Weekend. Come and enjoy the beach or hike the trails. No state park sticker or trail passes required. All Day. National Trails Day. Take part in the largest nationwide celebration of trails by hiking, paddling, biking or riding on a trail or lend a hand with construction and maintenance projects.

Observe and identify wildflowers blooming in the park. Led by Dale and Mary Goodner. Meet at the Nature Center. Free. Park sticker required.

Stop by to learn about what makes an amphibian unique, and what amphibians are in Wisconsin. Stay for a minute or as long as you’d like. Kids enjoy a frog craft to take home. Find the naturalist at the amphitheater. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

11am-2pm. 50th Anniversary Celebration. Music, food, short program, cake, artists including Lynn Gilchrist, Barbara Shakal, and Mac Schueppert. Music provided by Last Man Standing. Rain or shine. Free. Park sticker required. 2-4pm. Skull Detectives. Look for clues to identify who left behind these skulls. Stay for a minute or as long as you’d like. Meet the Naturalist by the Amphitheater. Free. Park sticker required.

10:30am-12pm. Trees of Whitefish Dunes. Identify and learn about trees during a walk in the park. Led by Don Gustafson. Free. Park sticker required. 2-3pm. Forestry in Whitefish Dunes. Take a 1/4 mile walk to learn about the history of forestry, and how the practice has changed over the years. Meet at the Red Pine Trail. Free. Park sticker required.

Drop by for a minute, or as long as you like, and learn what makes this bird unique and how to recognize where it has been. Meet the park naturalist at the amphitheater. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

Slither over to learn about snakes in Wisconsin. Stay for a minute, or as long as you like. Meet at the amphitheater. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

Stay for a minute or as long as you’d like to hear about the important role bees have in our world. Kids enjoy a bee craft to take home. Meet the naturalist at the amphitheater. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

10am-12pm. Insects of Whitefish Dunes. Search for insects in the park. Weather and environment will determine what can be found. Led by Dick Smythe. Meet at the Nature Center. Free. Park sticker required. 1pm. Habitat Hunters. Learn what makes up a habitat, and what habitats exist in the park, while hiking along with a park naturalist. Hike is approx. 2 miles; bring water and dress for the weather. Meet at the Nature Center. Free. Park sticker required.

Join the naturalist for a short talk followed by a half mile hike learning about and looking for traces of the animals that live here. Kids get a chance to start on their Wisconsin Explorer Guides. Program to last approx. 1 hour. Meet at the amphitheater. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

Discuss the geologic history of Whitefish Dunes and head down to the beach to look for remains of the ancient past. Meet at the amphitheater. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

11am. Plants of the Dunes Hike. The naturalist leads a hike roughly 2 miles long, identifying the unique plants in Whitefish Dunes. Meet at the Nature Center. Free. Park vehicle sticker required. 2-4pm. Slithery Snakes Drop In. Slither over to learn about snakes in Wisconsin. Meet at the amphitheater. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

10am-12pm. Indian Tales and Trails. Listen to a Native American story of how the Earth began. Hike trails used for thousands of years. Visit archeological indoor and outdoor exhibits that help explain past habitation at the park. Led by Mike Madden. Meet at the Nature Center. Free. Park sticker required. 12-2pm. Monarch Madness. Drop in for a story and craft to learn about the monarch and its crazy journey. Story will be told each 1/2 hour. The craft is available…

11am. Fur Trade in the Door Peninsula. Learn about the history of fur trade in Door County. Then accompany the naturalist on a short hike. Program to last approximately one hour. Meet in the auditorium. Free. Park vehicle sticker required. 2-4pm. Invasion. There are plants and insects in our park that don’t belong. Stop by the naturalist and learn who they are and how you can help. Meet in the amphitheater. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

Take a hike with the park naturalist and learn what makes up a habitat and what habitats exist in the park. Hike is approximately two miles. Bring water and dress for the weather. Meet at the Nature Center. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

Stop by the amphitheater and learn about these small but mighty birds. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

Meet the naturalist and go on a scavenger hunt in the park. Hunt should take 15-20 minutes. Prizes for participation. Meet at the amphitheater. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

Get a short introduction to mushrooms and then go out on the trails to see what can be found. Led by Charlotte Lukes. Meet at the Nature Center. Free. Park sticker required.

11am-1pm. All About Amphibians. Can you correctly identify all of Wisconsin’s frogs? Stop by the amphitheater to learn all about frogs and some of Wisconsin’s other amphibians and create your own frog too. Free. Park vehicle sticker required. 2-3pm. Catchable Critters Hike. Join the Park Naturalist on a hike to find frogs, salamanders, and more. Nets, magnifying glasses, and containers provided. Closed toed shoes, bug spray, and a water bottle recommended. All creatures are released where found. Meet at the amphitheater…

Join the Park Naturalist on this 1.5 mile one way trip to Wisconsin’s tallest sand dune. Discuss some of the history, geology, and plants along the way. Meet at the amphitheater outside the Nature Center. Sturdy shoes and a water bottle recommended. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

11am-1pm. Native Shelters. Drop by the Native American village exhibit on the red trail to learn more about the homes and shelters that native people used both here in the park and across the country. 2pm. Survival Shelters. The park naturalist teaches you about the principles of maintaining body temperature as well as how to build a solid shelter. Meet at the amphitheater. Sturdy shoes, pants, bug spray, and a flashlight or headlamp recommended. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

Join the park naturalist on this 1.2 mile round trip hike to the beach at the end of the Clark Lake Spur. Jump in the water and to see if you can catch any critters along the way. Close toed shoes, bug spray, a water bottle and swimwear recommended. Meet at the amphitheater. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

12-2pm. Primitive Fire Demo. See the park naturalist demonstrate how native peoples once created fire using hand drill and bow drill techniques. Held inside the Nature Center in case of rain. Held at the shoreline area across from the campground shelter. Free. Park vehicle sticker required. 3-4pm. To Build a Fire. Learn how and where to gather dry materials, how to set up a fire, and start one using various methods. A hands-on workshop that involves hiking and working with fire. Meet at the…

Learn about the Great Lakes and interact with a watershed model at this drop in program at the Amphitheater outside the Nature Center. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

Stop by the shoreline area across from the campground shelter to learn more about the mammals that live in our State Parks. In case of rain, held in the Nature Center. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

11am-1pm. Tree ID. Drop by the Amphitheater area outside of the Nature Center to learn how to identify some of the trees in our park as well as some fun facts about what trees give us. Free. Park vehicle sticker required. 2-3pm. Meet a Tree Hike. The park naturalist will help answer your questions and teach you some tips and tricks on how to identify different trees. 1.5 mile loop. Sturdy shoes and a water bottle recommended. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

Stop by the amphitheater to learn all about the fish of Wisconsin. Visitors can create their own fish, see how they size up to the fish of the Great Lakes and test their fish identification skills. Drop-in program. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

Join the park naturalist on this 1.5 mile one way hike to Old Baldy, the tallest sand dune in WI. Meet at the Amphitheater outside the Nature Center rain or shine. Sturdy shoes and a water bottle recommended. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

Learn about the Great Lakes and interact with a cool watershed model at this drop-in program at the Amphitheater outside the Nature Center. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

Stop by the Native American village exhibit on the red trail on your way to the beach to learn more about some of the games that native people would have historically played. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

11am-1pm. Primitive Fire Demo. Stop by the Native American village exhibit on the red trail to see the Park Naturalist demonstrate how native peoples once created fire using hand drill and bow drill techniques. Held inside the Nature Center if raining. Free. Park vehicle sticker required. 2-3pm. To Build a Fire. Learn how and where to gather dry materials, how to set up a fire, and start one using various methods. Hands-on workshop involving hiking & working with fire. Meet at…

Learn about the important role that wetlands play in our ecosystem and create a frog craft to take home with you. Stop by the Amphitheater area outside the Nature Center to see some of the critters that call our wetland home. Held in the Nature Center if raining. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

10am. Hike a Sand Dune. Join the park naturalist on this 1.5 mile one way hike to Old Baldy, the tallest sand dune in WI. Talk about dunes, shipwrecks, native history, and plants as we make our way there. Meet at the amphitheater rain or shine. Sturdy shoes and a water bottle recommended. Free. Park vehicle sticker required. 1-3pm. Watersheds. Learn about the Great Lakes and interact with a cool watershed model at this drop-in program at the Amphitheater outside the Nature…

Join the Park Naturalist on this 1.5 mile round trip hike from the Red Pine Parking Lot. Talk about shipwrecks, plants, and native history. Sturdy walking shoes and water recommended. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

11am-1pm. Primitive Fire Demo. Stop by the Native American village exhibit on the red trail to see the Park Naturalist demonstrate how native peoples once created fire. Inside Nature Center if raining. Free. Park vehicle sticker required. 2-3pm. To Build a Fire. Learn how and where to gather dry materials, how to set up a fire, and start one using various methods. A hands-on workshop involving hiking to gather materials and working with fire. Meet at the Amphitheater. Free. Park vehicle sticker…

Join the park naturalist on this 1.5 mile one way hike to Old Baldy, the tallest sand dune in WI. Talking about dunes, shipwrecks, native history, and plants. Meet at the amphitheater rain or shine. Sturdy shoes and a water bottle recommended. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

Join the Park Naturalist at the Amphitheater to learn more about WI bats and create your own origami bat. Drop in program, stay for as long or little as you like. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

Join the Park Naturalist on this 2.5 mile trail. Talk about dunes, sea caves, shipwrecks, native history, and plants. Meet at the Amphitheater rain or shine. Sturdy shoes and a water bottle recommended. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

11am-1pm. WI Furbearers. Stop by the Native American village exhibit on the red trail to learn more about the mammals that live in our State Parks. Feel their pelts and stay for as long or little as you like. Held in the Nature Center if raining. Free. Park vehicle sticker required. 2-3:30pm. Un-Nature Trail. Come hike a 0.25 mile portion of the green trail with a twist. Keep an eye out for unnatural items to check off your list along the…

10-11:30am. Hike to Whitefish Bay Creek. Join the Park Naturalist on this 1.5 mile round trip hike. Talk about shipwrecks, plants, and native history. Sturdy walking shoes and a water bottle recommended. Meet at the Red Pine Parking lot. Free. Park vehicle sticker required. 1-2:30pm. WI Furbearers. Stop by the Native American village exhibit on the red trail to learn more about the mammals that live in the State Parks. Feel their pelts and stay for as long or little as…

Stop by the Native American village exhibit on the red trail to see the Park Naturalist demonstrate how native peoples once created fire. Held in Nature Center if raining. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

10am-12pm. Sand Dune Hike. Join the park naturalist on this 1.5 mile one way hike to Old Baldy, the tallest sand dune in WI. Talking about dunes, shipwrecks, native history, and plants. Meet at the amphitheater rain or shine. Sturdy shoes and a water bottle recommended. Free. Park vehicle sticker required. 1-2:30pm. The Waters that Surround Us. Learn about the Great Lakes and interact with a cool watershed model at this drop-in program at the Amphitheater. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

10am-noon. Stop by the amphitheater area outside of the nature center for the drop-in program, "Protecting Our Great Lakes." The park naturalist will answer questions about threats to the Great Lakes and how we can protect them. 1-3pm. Wisconsin Furbearers. Stop by the Native American village exhibit to learn more about the mammals that live in our state parks. In case of rain, this program will move to the nature center. Programs are free, but a state park vehicle sticker…

Stop by the amphitheater area outside the Nature Center to see some wetland critters. Learn about the important role that wetlands play in our ecosystem and create a frog craft. In case of rain, this event will take place inside the Nature Center. Free. State park vehicle sticker required.

10am. Hike to the top of Wisconsin's tallest sand dune. Join the park naturalist on this 1.5-mile hike to Old Baldy. Meet at the amphitheater outside the Nature Center rain or shine. Sturdy shoes and a water bottle are recommended. 1-3pm. Primitive fire demo. Stop by the Native American village exhibit on the Red Trail to see the park naturalist demonstrate how native peoples once created fire using hand drill and bow drill techniques. In the event of rain, this activity will…

Hike some of the lesser-known trails of Whitefish Dunes, from the Red Pine Trail down to Whitefish Bay Creek. Learn about wildflowers, trees, native lore, and history on this 1.25-mile round-trip hike. Meet at the Red Pine parking lot near the intersection of Clark Lake Road and South Lake Road on the west side of the park. Free. State park vehicle sticker required.

Meet the park naturalist at the amphitheater for a drop-in program that will answer questions about the threats to the Great Lakes. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

10am. Hike to Whitefish Bay Creek. Hike the Red Pine Trail down to Whitefish Bay Creek. Discussing wildflowers, trees, native lore, and history along the way. 1.25mi, roundtrip. Meet at the Red Pine parking lot. Free. Park vehicle sticker required. 1-3pm. Wisconsin Furbearers. Stop by the Native American village to learn more about the mammals that live in the park. Held inside if raining. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

Stop by the Native American village exhibit on the Red Trail to learn more about some of the games that Native peoples played. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

11am-1pm. Hike to a Sand Dune. Join the park naturalist on this 1.5 mile, one-way, hike to Old Baldy, the tallest sand dune in WI. Discussing dunes, shipwrecks, native history, and plants along the way. Sturdy shoes and water bottle recommended. Meet at the amphitheater. 2-3pm. What's a Watershed? Learn about the Great Lakes and interact with a cool watershed model. Held at the amphitheater. Activities free. Park vehicle sticker required.

10am-12pm. Guided Black Loop Hike. Hike a 2.5-mile loop of the Black Trail with a park naturalist. Discussing wildflowers, trees, native lore, and local history along the way. Meet at the amphitheater outside the Nature Center. A water bottle and closed-toe shoes recommended. 2-3pm. Wisconsin Furbearers. Stop by the Native American village exhibit on the Red Trail to learn more about the mammals that live in the state parks. If raining, held inside the Nature Center.

11am-1pm. Primitive Fire Demo. Stop by the Native American village exhibit to see the park naturalist demonstrate how Native peoples once created fire. If raining, held inside the Nature Center. 2-3pm. To Build a Fire. Learn how to start a fire using various methods. A hands-on workshop that involves hiking, gathering materials, and working with fire. Meet at the Native American village on the Red Trail. Activities free. Park vehicle sticker required.

Stop by the Native American village on the Red Trail to learn more about the structures Native people lived in. Park naturalist is available to answer questions and take photos. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

10-11:30am. Hike to Whitefish Bay Creek. Hike some of the lesser known trails at Whitefish Dunes. Discussing wildflowers, trees, native lore, and history on this 1.25-mile round trip hike. Meet at the Red Pine parking lot near the intersection of Clark Lake Rd and South Lake Rd. 1:30-3pm. Native Games. Stop by the Native American village exhibit on the Red Trail to learn more about the games Native people played. Activities free. Park vehicle sticker required.

Drop by the amphitheater outside of the Nature Center to learn how to identify some of the trees in the park and learn some fun facts about what trees give us. Held inside if raining. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

Explore the 2.5 miles of the Black Trail on this guided afternoon hike. The park naturalist will discuss invasive species, wildflowers, tree identification and native history. Meet at the amphitheater outside the Nature Center. A water bottle and closed toe shoes are recommended. Free and open to the public. State park vehicle sticker required.

Join the park naturalist on this 1.5-mile hike to Old Baldy, the tallest sand dune in WI. Discussing dunes, shipwrecks, native history, and plants along the way. Meet at the amphitheater outside the Nature Center, rain or shine. Sturdy shoes and water bottles recommended. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

10am-12pm. Hike to the Top of Wisconsin’s Tallest Sand Dune. Join the park naturalist on this 1.5-mile, one-way hike to Old Baldy, the tallest sand dune in Wisconsin. Meet at the amphitheater outside the nature center - rain or shine. Sturdy shoes and a water bottle are recommended. 1-3pm. Tree ID. Drop by the amphitheater area outside of the nature center to learn how to identify some of the trees in the park. Held inside the nature center if raining.…

11am-1pm. Tree ID. Drop by the amphitheater area to learn how to identify some of the trees. Meet in nature center if raining. 2-3pm. Watersheds. Learn about the Great Lakes and interact with a cool watershed model at this drop-in program at the amphitheater outside the Nature Center. Free. State park sticker required.

10-11:30am. Hike the Black Loop. Explore 2.5 miles of the Black Trail on this guided morning hike. Learn about invasive species, wildflowers, tree identification and native history along the way. Meet at the amphitheater outside the nature center. A water bottle and closed-toe shoes are recommended. 1-3pm. Wisconsin Furbearers. Stop by the Native American village exhibit on the red trail to learn more about the mammals that live in our state parks. If raining, meet at nature center. Free. State…

10:30am-1pm. What’s a Wigwam? Stop by the Native American village off the red trail to learn more about the structures Native people once lived in. The park naturalist will be available to answer questions and take your photo in a wigwam. 2-3pm. Primitive Fire Demo. Stop on by the Native American village to see the park naturalist demonstrate how native peoples once created fire using hand drill and bow drill techniques. Free. State park sticker required.

10am-12pm. Hike to the Top of Wisconsin’s Tallest Sand Dune. Join the park naturalist on this 1.5-mile one-way hike to Old Baldy, the tallest sand dune in Wisconsin. Meet at the amphitheater outside the Nature Center rain or shine. Sturdy shoes and a water bottle are recommended. 1-3pm. Watersheds. Learn about the Great Lakes and interact with a cool watershed model at this drop-in program at the amphitheater outside the Nature Center.

10am-12pm. Hike to Whitefish Bay Creek. Hike some of the lesser-known trails of Whitefish Dunes. The group will discuss wildflowers, trees, native lore and history on this 1.25-mile round-trip hike. Meet at the Red Pine Parking Lot near the intersection of Clark Lake Road and South Lake Road on the West side of the Park. 1:30-3pm. Native Games. Stop by the Native American village exhibit on the Red Trail on your way to the beach to learn more about some…

Details to come.

Join our Naturalist for an interactive program on how to make your own bird feeder. This program will include a short presentation about birds of Wisconsin, followed by a step by step guide on how to make 3 different bird feeders. Meet at the Picnic Area in Whitefish Dunes State Park.

Besides a candlelit walk down along the beach, there will be popcorn, lemonade and s’mores by the campfire. A telescope will be available to check out the moon and meteors. Social distancing is recommended. Free, park vehicle sticker required.

Enjoy either a hike, snowshoe or cross country ski. After you have tackled the trails, meet outside the Picnic Shelter around a roaring fire and warm up with some hot chocolate or hot cider. Free. Park pass required.

Ski, walk or snowshoe, then enjoy a bonfire & treats. Park pass required.

A short educational presentation in the Nature Center by UW-Madison astronomers. Guests will then be taken outside to do some stargazing with a telescope. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

1 mile hike along the beach, lit by luminaries. Refreshments in the picnic shelter and a campfire to roast s'mores. Weather permitting, the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society will bring telescopes. Free. Park vehicle sticker required.

Park pass required. Hot drinks & a fire afterwards.