Door County is known for a lot of things – you’ll find cute shops, waterfront restaurants, ice cream cones, and more. There’s so much to see and do in the villages, it’s almost possible to forget what brought visitors to the peninsula in the first place – natural beauty. Fortunately, the wild side of Door County is a short drive away. There are five state parks and natural areas you can explore on a single drive, making Door County the best place to visit state parks. Here’s what’s waiting for you on the peninsula.
The Route
Google Maps This trip includes about 90 minutes of driving and covers 54 miles, but it will easily take an entire day if you take time to get out of the car to see the parks. Here’s a Google Map you can edit.
- Newport State Park, Ellison Bay
Alltrails / Dan Eggert The first stop on this tour takes us to a wild and remote park near the end of the Door County peninsula. Newport State Park has long, sweeping beaches, woodland trails, and a wild inland lake called Europe Lake. A road into the park will take you near the waterfront and trailheads.
- Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek
Alltrails / Danny D’Acquisto As new condos and shops continue to spring up across the county, a huge swath of land between Ephraim and Fish Creek will stay wild forever. Pull off Highway 42 and take Peninsula State Park roads past dramatic lake and island views before exiting into the bustle of Fish Creek.
- Cave Point Clay Banks State Natural Area, Sturgeon Bay
Alltrails / Tim Rietz Across the peninsula on the Lake Michigan side, there’s a county park that’s laced with gorgeous sea caves. Nearby, an undeveloped state wildlife area is less visited but well worth discovering. The Cave Point Clay Banks State Natural Area is a swath of forested wetlands that will give you a taste of what the county was like before European settlers arrived.
- Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay
Alltrails / Muhammed Omer Just down the road is a simply incredible state park. Whitefish Dunes State Park is home to a beautiful beach that’s flanked by enormous sand dunes. Kick off your shoes and enjoy a stroll by the water, but use caution swimming – there are some dangerous currents here.
- Potawatomi State Park, Sturgeon Bay
Alltrails / Lana Bilyk The final stop on this road trip again takes us to the water’s edge. Potawatomi State Park is a 1,200-acre state park that is home to forests and rugged limestone cliffs. It’s also the gateway to the Ice Age National National Scenic Trail. If you’re a hiker, this could be the start of another great adventure!
If still have some daylight left, there’s even more public land to be discovered to the south. This state rail trail belongs on your bucket list.
Google Maps
This trip includes about 90 minutes of driving and covers 54 miles, but it will easily take an entire day if you take time to get out of the car to see the parks. Here’s a Google Map you can edit.
Alltrails / Dan Eggert
The first stop on this tour takes us to a wild and remote park near the end of the Door County peninsula. Newport State Park has long, sweeping beaches, woodland trails, and a wild inland lake called Europe Lake. A road into the park will take you near the waterfront and trailheads.
Alltrails / Danny D’Acquisto
As new condos and shops continue to spring up across the county, a huge swath of land between Ephraim and Fish Creek will stay wild forever. Pull off Highway 42 and take Peninsula State Park roads past dramatic lake and island views before exiting into the bustle of Fish Creek.
Alltrails / Tim Rietz
Across the peninsula on the Lake Michigan side, there’s a county park that’s laced with gorgeous sea caves. Nearby, an undeveloped state wildlife area is less visited but well worth discovering. The Cave Point Clay Banks State Natural Area is a swath of forested wetlands that will give you a taste of what the county was like before European settlers arrived.
Alltrails / Muhammed Omer
Just down the road is a simply incredible state park. Whitefish Dunes State Park is home to a beautiful beach that’s flanked by enormous sand dunes. Kick off your shoes and enjoy a stroll by the water, but use caution swimming – there are some dangerous currents here.
Alltrails / Lana Bilyk
The final stop on this road trip again takes us to the water’s edge. Potawatomi State Park is a 1,200-acre state park that is home to forests and rugged limestone cliffs. It’s also the gateway to the Ice Age National National Scenic Trail. If you’re a hiker, this could be the start of another great adventure!
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Address: Newport State Park, 475 County Rd NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210, USAAddress: Peninsula State Park, 9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI 54212, USAAddress: Cave Point - Clay Banks State Natural Area, Barge Rd, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235, USAAddress: Whitefish Dunes State Park, 3275 Clarks Lake Rd, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235, USAAddress: Potawatomi State Park, 3740 Park Dr, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235, USA
