State Parks in Door County

Door County is a Midwest destination for hiking, foliage viewing, and various water activities. It is located in northeastern Wisconsin (about four hours north of Chicago) on a peninsula that sticks out into Lake Michigan. Some consider Door County the "Cape Cod of the Midwest," perhaps partly due to its long shoreline. It is home to five Wisconsin state parks as well as several other state- and county-run natural areas. This post will describe four of these state parks (Whitefish Dunes, Newport, Peninsula, and Potawatomi) and one privately-run natural area (The Ridges Sanctuary).

I have visited Door County several times, and every trip has been during the autumn foliage season. Door County enjoys many water activities along its abundant shorelines, but my post will focus on hiking opportunities.

Sturgeon Bay

Sturgeon Bay is the gateway to Door County and the last major town you'll see before driving further into the Door County peninsula (where there is only one road in and out). There are smaller towns to stay in throughout Door County, and all of these have their share of small hotels and B&Bs.

View from the old observation tower at Potawatomi State Park

Potawatomi State Park

Potawatomi State Park is the closest state park to Sturgeon Bay, and it offers many hiking and biking trails, boat launches, fishing, and camping. The most notable trail is the eastern terminus of the Ice Age Trail, a National Scenic Trail that traverses 1,200 miles throughout Wisconsin. The park also used to feature a 75-foot observation tower, built in 1932, but it was closed due to decay in 2017. There is still the Old Ski Hill Overlook, which is accessible by car, where you can get a great view of Sturgeon Bay and surrounding area. Fun fact: The park is named in honor of the tribe that inhabited Green Bay’s shores and islands when Europeans first settled the area. The tribe called themselves Bo-De-Wad-Me which means "keeper of the fire."

Beach at Whitefish Dunes State Park

Whitefish Dunes State Park

Whitefish Dunes is located about 20 minutes northeast of Sturgeon Bay, and it features a sand beach, some rocky Lake Michigan shoreline, and the highest sand dunes in Wisconsin. You can hike on trails along the shore (it gets windy!) or more inland in the woods. Nearby, Cave Point County Park, considered somewhat of a hidden gem, features limestone cliffs, boating and diving opportunities in the summer, and underwater caves.

Newport State Park

Newport State Park is the northern-most state park on the peninsula section of Door County, not counting Rock Island State Park off Washington Island. It is located about one hour north of Sturgeon Bay, and it offers 30 miles of hiking trails and over 10 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. In addition to the plentiful hiking opportunities, the Fern Trail offers a fully-accessible nature trail with interpretive signs. Fun fact: Newport's location at the end of the Door County peninsula earned it Dark Sky Park status in 2017.

View of Peninsula State Park

Peninsula State Park

Established in 1909, Peninsula State Park is the second-oldest and the third-largest state park in Wisconsin. Located about 30 minute north of Sturgeon Bay, Peninsula State Park is also considered to be Wisconsin's most complete state park (according to the Wisconsin DNR), offering plenty of camping, a summer theater, a 18-hole golf course, a sand beach, a lighthouse from the 1860s, 8 miles of Door County shoreline, and more. While the historic Eagle Tower was torn down in 2016, a brand new 60' observation tower (accessed via 100 steps or an 850' accessible canopy walk), opened to the public in May 2021.

Boardwalks at The Ridges Sanctuary

The Ridges Sanctuary

As Wisconsin's first land trust, the Ridges Sanctuary protects Wisconsin's most biologically diverse ecosystem, including plants, birds, and threatened or endangered species. Located about 30 minutes north of Sturgeon Bay, the preserve is recognized as a National Natural Landmark and was also designated as a State Natural Area. There is a $5 trail fee for all hikers 18 and over. If your hiking with someone who prefers accessible trails, this is well-worth the fee.

Left to Explore: Rock Island State Park

There is another state park in Door County that I still have to visit. In my three visits to Door County, I have never taken the ferry to Washington Island, which is the access point to Rock Island, where the state park is located. You can typically travel to Rock Island by ferry between Memorial Day and Columbus Day, and no cars are allowed on the island. Unfortunately, ferry service to and from the island is on hold until further notice during the COVID-19 public health emergency