Door County State Parks
Five Jewels in the Crown

Newport State Park, northeast of Ellison Bay, is a 2,400-acre "wilderness park" with eleven miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and three miles of sand beaches. Newport has more than 40 miles of hiking and mountain bike trails. The park features 16 backpack, walk-in campsites, including several along Europe Lake. Cross-country ski and snowshow trails are open in winter. (920) 854-2500.

Hike through the woods and watch boats sail by.
DNR Photo

Potawatomi State Park, south of Sturgeon Bay, has gently rolling upland terrain bordered by steep slopes and rugged limestone cliffs. The park has 123 family campsites (25 electric) plus a fully accessible cabin. The park overlooks Sawyer Harbor on Green Bay and presents exceptional fishing opportunities. (920) 746-2890.

Rock Island State Park, at the very tip of the Door County Peninsula, is a 700-acre gem. Pottawatomie Lighthouse, a sand beach, and an Icelandic-style boat house offer a diverse experience. This park offers 40 walk-in campsites; motorized vehicles are not allowed. Visitors can reach Rock Island by private boat or ferry (seasonal). (920) 847-2235 summer, or (920) 847-3156 winter.

Whitefish Dunes has forests and exposed rock as well as sand dunes and a long beach.
DNR Photo

Whitefish Dunes features a spectacular, fully acessible sand beach and Wisconsin's highest dunes. Trails wind through both woods and wetlands. Exhibits at the visitor center highlight dune ecology. This park is day use only. (920) 823-2400.

Ahnapee State Trail [exit DNR] stretches between Sturgeon Bay, Algoma, and Casco along a 29-mile former railroad grade. The screened limestone path winds its way through farmland and cedar swamp. The nearly level trail is suitable for biking, hiking, snowmobiling and horses. Parking and rest rooms are available on Neenah Street in Sturgeon Bay and Forestville Dam Park in Forestville. Call (920) 746-9959 or e-mail for more information.

Admission stickers are required on all vehicles entering Wisconsin state parks. These may be purchased at each park contact station upon arrival. Daily stickers are valid at any Wisconsin state park on the date of purchase. Annual stickers are valid at any Wisconsin state park until the end of the calendar year.

For more information, ask Wisconsin State Parks, (608) 266-2181.