DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks,
Forests, Trails And Recreation Areas
 Peninsula State Park features an accessible overlook tower. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Detour To Door County
Summers in Door County are underscored by bright sun, warm sand and crystal-clear water. It is no surprise why it's such a popular destination! Here's a secret you might not know: you don't have to wait until summer to experience the beauty and excitement – Door County is excellent (and crowd-free!) right now.
Home to five beautiful state parks, the Door Peninsula is a destination worth visiting year-round. Looking for outdoor experiences, delicious dining or lodging during the "off-season?" Destination Door County's website has you covered. Take this chance to pair outdoor recreation with world-class food and experiences without peak-season wait times.
Ahnapee State Trail
From downtown Sturgeon Bay, this 48-mile, county-operated trail winds south along the Ahnapee and Kewaunee rivers to Algoma, Casco, Luxemburg and Kewaunee, passing by evergreen meadows, farmland, prairies and wooded areas teeming with wildlife and native wildflowers.
This is a perfect trail to complete your Happy Little 5K.
Potawatomi State Park
Potawatomi State Park sits on the shore of Sturgeon Bay in southern Door County and boasts 1,200 acres of gently rolling upland terrain bordered by steep slopes and rugged limestone cliffs. The park is named to honor the tribe that inhabited Green Bay’s shores and islands when Europeans first settled there. The tribe called themselves Bo-De-Wad-Me, which means "keeper of the fire."
Potawatomi State Park has several picnic areas along the Sturgeon Bay shoreline and an overlook of the park's old ski hill. If you're bringing kids, there are playgrounds in the picnic area by Parking Lot 2 and the Daisy Field campground.
Potawatomi is home to the eastern terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Due to road conditions, the route to the east terminus is currently closed to vehicles. However, you can always start the hike early and walk in from the Boat Launch or North Norway Road.
Whitefish Dunes State Park
Whitefish Dunes State Park protects the fragile dune environment of the eastern Door Peninsula. Stroll along Lake Michigan or on one of the many trails throughout this day-use park's vast dunes and forests. A nature center features year-round programs, exhibits and displays. The park's reservable picnic shelter overlooks Lake Michigan and is adjacent to the nature center, beach and hiking trails.
If you plan to venture to the dunes, we have good news! Due to unusually warm weather, winter trail maps no longer apply, and trails are open under summer conditions. 2nd Beach will even be opening once the last lingering snow melts.
Whitefish Dunes offers opportunities for all to learn and explore, including a nature center, beach viewing platform and accessible picnic shelter. The park also has a beach wheelchair that can be checked out at no charge.
The picnic area includes charcoal grills, picnic tables, a fire ring, a reservable shelter and a drinking water fountain. This area is near the parking lot overlooking the shore of Lake Michigan.
Cave Point County Park is also located within Whitefish Dunes State Park.
Peninsula State Park
Considered Wisconsin's most complete park, Peninsula State Park offers over 460 campsites, three group camps, a summer theater, an 18-hole golf course, a sand beach, bike trails, a lighthouse and access to 8 miles of Door County shoreline. The rollicking waves skip towards the Peninsula's sky-high bluffs, which are part of the Niagara Escarpment.
Peninsula is now in summer mode, too. With the warm weather, all trails and roads are open.
Looking for a breath-taking view? Eagle Tower sits high above the Niagara Escarpment on Peninsula's northeast shore and is one of the most popular attractions in Door County. Located on top of Eagle Bluff, the tower offers panoramic views of the park, surrounding islands, the Upper Michigan shoreline and the village of Ephraim. The tower is 60 feet high, and the top observation deck sits 253 feet above Green Bay. There are 100 steps to climb to the top of the tower, or visitors can enjoy an 850-foot, fully accessible canopy walk that will wind above the tree line to the top of the tower. The angle of the accessible ramp never exceeds a five percent slope, and visitors can take advantage of level spots and benches to rest along the way. In a typical year, the tower would not be open until May.
Popular sunset spots in the park are the Tennison Boat Launch, Welcker's Point and Eagle Tower. The Northern Sky Theater is a forest amphitheater with accessible seating, restrooms and a universal trail connecting to nearby parking. Stop by during a clear night's sky for excellent star viewing. Sven's Bluff is another Peninsula State Park favorite for stargazing.
A private and a public cemetery can be found nestled within Peninsula's boundaries. Blossomburg Cemetery is open to the public for visits during regular park day-use hours, 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. The Pioneer Cemetery, near Weborg Point, is privately owned and maintained.
Welcker's Point is an open and reservable indoor shelter with a fireplace (wood not provided) that accommodates up to 50 people. It may be reserved for a fee and, if not reserved, is open to the public. Large group grills for cooking are available at the shelter. It features a scenic overlook along the open water of Green Bay. Reserve a shelter online through the Wisconsin Going to Camp website or by calling 888-947-2757. Pets are not allowed at the picnic areas or in the shelter.
Shore Road, Lighthouse Loop and Skyline are great routes for a scenic drive or walk.
Newport State Park
Located near the tip of the Door Peninsula, Newport is Wisconsin's only certified Dark Sky Place and provides some of the best views of the Milky Way in the Midwest. If you're looking to visit during the day, the park also offers over 2,300 acres of forest, 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, 30 miles of hiking trails and remote camping opportunities away from the bustle of Door County.
We recommend exploring the new accessible Fern Trail this time of year, featuring benches along the way and interpretive signs.
There is a picnic area on Newport Bay by parking lot #3. The accessible shelter in the picnic area at Newport State Park can be reserved online through the Wisconsin Going to Camp website.
Outdoor News And Announcements
 UPH residents go out for a ride. Photo Credit: Paul Pedersen
Riding In Style
The Gandy Dancer State Trail is a 47-mile rail-trail located in northwest Wisconsin. The designated Friends Group for the Gandy Dancer State Trail helps promote, maintain and enhance the trail for human-powered activities such as biking and hiking. The Friends of Gandy Dancer's top priority is to ensure the trail is safe for people of all ages and abilities.
The Friends have launched a fundraising campaign to secure a trishaw bike to increase usage by the aging and less abled population. This three-wheeled, battery-assisted bicycle has a bench seat for one or two passengers up front and a “pilot” behind to pedal and steer. Trishaws were developed in 2012 by an international organization called Cycling Without Age.
The Friends of Gandy Dancer need to raise $14,000 to purchase a trishaw. Thankfully, the fundraising so far has been a breeze! With only $2,000 left to reach their goal, the Friends are confident they have sufficient momentum to place a trishaw order for spring delivery, just in time to put passengers and pilots on the trail this summer. The money raised thus far is from member donations, grants and board member contributions. Fundraising for the remaining amount is being advertised through posts on social media, flyers and word of mouth. Donations can be made safely online on the Friends of Gandy Dancer website.
The Friends will work with the Wisconsin Bike Federation to train and certify trishaw pilots. Once trained, pilots will be on call to provide weekly trishaw rides to the residents of two senior care facilities in the Village of Frederic. Training pilots and providing rides is familiar to the Friends; they already have trained and certified pilots in the neighboring Village of Luck (also adjacent to the Gandy Dancer State Trail).
The Gandy Dancer State Trail is ideal for trishaw rides as it is both serene and safe. The Friends look forward to getting residents of the senior care facilities out in the fresh air with the wind in their hair. Residents will soon be smiling ear to ear as they glide on a trishaw amid rustling leaves and birdsong.
Upcoming Events
Living With Black Bears: What To Know If Your Home Is In Black Bear Territory
Saturday, March 9, 2024 at Mead Wildlife Area
10 - 11 a.m.
Grace Nugent, DNR Wildlife Biologist, will present everything folks should know about sharing space with Wisconsin's bear population. The Friends of the Mead & McMillan Wildlife Areas proudly present this opportunity.
This is a hybrid event; Folks can attend in person or virtually.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link.
Register by emailing Sandra.DeRoche@wisconsin.gov and share your preference for in-person or online.
Further information will be shared upon confirmation. The event will be hosted at the Stanton W. Mead Education and Visitor Center, 201517 Cty Hwy S, Milladore, WI
Mammal Trivia Hike
Saturday, March 9, 2024 at Willow River State Park
1 - 3 p.m.
Hit the trail and enjoy a fun and educational hike to learn all about fur-bearing animals, sponsored by the Friends of Willow River and Kinnickinnic State Parks.
They'll have skulls and pelts to examine and feel while you play a hands-on trivia game along the Hidden Ponds Nature Trail to test your knowledge of Wisconsin mammals.
This event costs $5/person or $10/family to support the nonprofit's mission. Events are free to Friends members; become a Friends member today.
Vehicle admission into the park is required.
Meet at the Willow River Nature Center.
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