Peninsula State Park

Peninsula State Park stretches across 3,776 acres on a peninsula jutting into Green Bay in the heart of Door County, Wisconsin. Limestone bluffs rise above the water, cedars line the shoreline trails, and the park offers one of the most complete outdoor recreation experiences in the upper Midwest. Whether you come for a weekend of camping, a long bike ride through the woods, or a kayak trip along the rocky coast, the park has the infrastructure and natural setting to make it work.

Biking the Sunset and Mountain Bike Trails

Cycling is one of the defining activities at Peninsula, and the park’s trail network reflects that. The main biking routes wind through hardwood forest and along shoreline ridges, with the Sunset Trail offering some of the best elevated views over Green Bay. The Sunset Bike Route runs 9.6 miles on fine gravel and is comfortable for casual riders. The Hidden Bluff spur provides a shorter connection to the nature center and Nicolet Bay, while the park’s purpose-built mountain bike trails add about 20 miles of singletrack for riders from beginner to expert. Bike rentals are available at the park, making this accessible even for visitors who arrive without gear. On busy summer weekends, the trails see heavy use, so early morning rides are worth planning for if you want a quieter experience. Riders age 16 and older need a Wisconsin state trail pass on the mountain bike trails.

Hiking the Bluffs and Interior

The park has about 20 miles of hiking trails ranging from flat shoreline walks to climbs up to Eagle Tower, a 60-foot observation structure that looks out over the bay and the surrounding forest. The Sentinel Trail is one of the more approachable routes, passing stands of maple, beech and red pine, with interpretive signs about forest ecology. The Eagle Trail follows the limestone bluff edge and gives the clearest sense of the park’s geology. Most trails are clearly signed and connect to one another, so longer loop hikes are easy to plan without retracing steps.

The Shoreline: Swimming, Paddling, and Fishing

Peninsula has over 8 miles of shoreline along Green Bay, and Nicolet Bay Beach is the main swimming area. The beach is sandy and protected, with calm water that warms up by midsummer and is well-suited for families with young children. Kayak and canoe rentals are available near the beach. The rocky stretches of shoreline outside the main beach area are quieter and good for shoreline exploration, though the footing requires care. Anglers fish for smallmouth bass, rock bass, and sometimes brown trout from Weborg pier and other water access points. A launch ramp is located at Nicolet Bay, with day-use vehicle and trailer parking near the ramp.

Camping at Peninsula

With 468 family campsites spread across five campground areas, Peninsula is one of the largest state park campgrounds in Wisconsin. Sites range from electric to non-electric family campsites, along with tent-only group campsites. Nicolet Bay Campground sits closest to the beach and fills quickly in summer. The park also has three reservable tent-only group campsites. A camp store, shower facilities, and a dump station are available on site. Reservations through the Wisconsin DNR reservation system are required year-round at wisconsin.goingtocamp.com or by calling 1-888-947-2757, and the park regularly reaches capacity on summer weekends.

Pet Policy

Leashed pets are welcome in most areas of Peninsula State Park, including on most trails, in campgrounds, on roads, and in outlying areas. Pets are allowed only in designated pet picnic areas, including the Pines area near Nicolet Beach. The leash must be no longer than 8 feet. Pets are not allowed on the swimming beach at Nicolet Bay or the adjacent picnic area, in buildings, picnic shelters, observation towers, or regular picnic areas outside designated pet areas. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their animals. Given the wildlife activity throughout the park, keeping pets under close control is important for their safety and for the safety of other visitors.

Wildlife to Be Aware Of

White-tailed deer are common and frequently cross park roads, particularly at dawn and dusk. Drive slowly on the interior park roads during these hours. Deer are most active in fall during the rut, but vehicle collisions can happen any time of year.

Ticks, including deer ticks that carry Lyme disease, are a serious concern on wooded and grassy trails throughout the park. Wear long pants and sleeves when hiking, use an EPA-registered repellent such as DEET on exposed skin and treat clothing or gear with permethrin according to label directions, and do a full-body tick check after every outing. Remove any attached tick promptly with fine-tipped tweezers. Tick season peaks from late spring through early fall but activity can continue into November in mild years.

Coyotes are occasionally spotted near campgrounds and along park edges, especially at night. They pose little direct threat to adults but may approach campsites looking for unsecured food. Keep food stored and do not leave small pets unattended outside.

Practical Information

Peninsula State Park is located off Highway 42 between Fish Creek and Ephraim in Door County, Wisconsin. Fish Creek is the closest town and offers restaurants, lodging, and supplies just outside the park entrance. The park is roughly 60 miles northeast of Green Bay and about 270 miles north of Chicago.

Daily vehicle admission is $13 for Wisconsin-plated vehicles ($3 for Wisconsin seniors 65+) and $16 for out-of-state vehicles. A 12-month pass costs $28 for Wisconsin-plated vehicles ($13 for Wisconsin seniors 65+) and $50 for out-of-state vehicles. Pedestrians and cyclists enter free.

The park is open year-round. Summer weekends bring heavy crowds, and campsite reservations should be made well in advance through the Wisconsin DNR reservation system at wisconsin.goingtocamp.com. Winter visitors can use the trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing when conditions allow. The Friends of Peninsula State Park is the park’s nonprofit support organization and a good resource for events and volunteer opportunities throughout the year.