3,776-acre Wisconsin state park with eight miles (13 km) of Green Bay shoreline in Door County
General Information
How to Get There
From Sturgeon Bay, WI (25 mi): Take WI-42 N from Sturgeon Bay through Egg Harbor and Fish Creek, then follow Shore Rd into Peninsula State Park at 9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek.
Overview
Peninsula State Park is a 3,776-acre park with eight miles of Green Bay shoreline in Door County, Wisconsin, and is the third-largest state park in the state. It is often called Wisconsin's most complete park, with 468 campsites, three group camps, an 18-hole golf course, a sand beach, a summer theater, biking and hiking trails and 150-foot limestone bluffs. The Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, built in 1868, stands on the shore, and the White Cedar Nature Center offers programs. The park is visited by about one million people a year who come for views of the bay and islands, camping and the Door County scenery.
Access
The park is at 9462 Shore Road in Fish Creek, on the west side of the Door Peninsula in northeastern Wisconsin. It is about 25 miles north of Sturgeon Bay and 60 miles northeast of Green Bay, and it is reached by WI-42 and WI-57. Visitors drive, and a Wisconsin State Park vehicle sticker is required. Door County is about 4 hours from Milwaukee and 5 hours from Chicago, and summer traffic on the peninsula can be heavy.
Seasons
The park is open year-round and has its peak season from May to October. Summer is the busiest period, with sunny days for the beach, camping, biking and evening outdoor theater, and fall is famous for foliage and fewer crowds. Winter brings cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling, though many facilities close. Spring is quiet and brings wildflowers and migratory birds.
Things to Do
Visit the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse
The 1868 lighthouse and keeper's home museum show life on the bay, with guided tours in the warmer months.
Hike and Bike the Bluffs
The park has miles of trails along the shoreline and bluffs, with views of Green Bay and the islands.
Camp and Swim at the Beach
Campgrounds, the Nicolet Bay beach and picnic areas make the park a favorite for summer vacations.
See a Show at the Outdoor Theater
A summer theater presents musicals and plays in a beautiful forest setting.
Visit the White Cedar Nature Center
Exhibits and programs explain the park's natural history, with hikes and campfire talks.
Top Trails
Eagle Trail
Length: Approximately 2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Approximately 150 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
This trail follows the Green Bay shoreline and the Eagle Bluff cliffs, with views of the lighthouse and islands.
Sunset Trail
Length: Approximately 3 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
This route runs along the shoreline and through woods, offering good chances to see the sunset over the bay.
Visitor Centers
The park has a visitor center and park office near the entrance for permits, maps and information about camping and programs. The White Cedar Nature Center and the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse Museum are additional stops with exhibits. Hours vary by season, and the nature center offers programs year-round.
Camping and Lodging
The park has 468 campsites in several campgrounds, including sites with electricity, and group camps; these are reserved through the Wisconsin DNR. Hotels, resorts and inns are in Fish Creek, Ephraim and Sister Bay, right next to the park, along with larger chain options in Sturgeon Bay, about 25 miles away. Many visitors rent cottages in Door County, and lodging books up quickly in summer and fall.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for Peninsula State Park, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0. Additional information from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
