Peninsula State Park

Peninsula State Park

Peninsula State Park
4.5
6:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 11:00 PM
About
This park's 3,775 acres have miles of hiking and biking trails, and clean, uncrowded beaches.
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  • Denise
    Green Bay, Wisconsin2,470 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the Best state parks
    I love this park! Just was doing a drive thru today to show some visitors the area. Not as much in winter as summer, of course. Still beautiful nature as we stopped by the beach - where can you see sand n snow on the beach in a sunny day?! As well as by the lighthouse
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written March 18, 2024
  • BMiller2013
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin216 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Things to do in Peninsula State Park
    Peninsula State Park consists of over 3,770 acres which is the largest state park in Door Co. Visitors can golf the 18-hole course, hike, bike, swim or fish in the warmer months and cross country ski groomed trails or snowmobile or sled in the winter months. There are 472 campsites (165 of those are electric campsites). Definite highlights of the park are checking out Eagle Tower or Eagle Bluff Lighthouse. There is also evening performances at the Northern Sky Theater amphitheater in the summer.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written April 8, 2024
  • RICART75
    Peru, Indiana2,455 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the highlights...
    On this year's visit, the Park had pretty much shed its winter cloak; therefore we were able to experience some new options (for us). Eagle Tower was available to utilize; so we were able to walk the 850 ft ramp a couple of times, and enjoy the magnificent views of the peninsula and water. The Tower itself is worth a visit here. We also had access to the skyline route this year, and the engrossing perspective it presents. Though a bit more populated than on our previous visits, the park was still in its "laid-back mode"; allowing for a relaxing and peaceful appreciation of this wonderful natural offering. The Park continues to be one of the highlights of any trip we've made to Door County.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 15, 2024
  • MLSMilwaukee
    15 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful state park
    Enjoyed our time of hiking in this park. The eagle bluff trail is moderately challenging. (Bring your hiking shoes - no flip flops!) the printed map isn’t great so be aware of directions you’re heading.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 26, 2024
  • Danielle
    Thompson s Station, Tennessee7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great sunset view from the beach!
    I spent an enjoyable day wandering through the park. The Eagle Tower is a definite highlight with amazing views. I love that they built an accessible ramp to the top of the tower, so more people can enjoy the view even if they aren’t up to climbing 100 steps. There are also several spots throughout the park with amazing sunset views.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written August 2, 2024
  • meganmom
    Appleton, Wisconsin28 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Park
    Whether camping, biking, or hiking, this is a great park to visit. This was not my first time but was my husbands. We did a half day trip to Eagle Tower and hike eagle trail. (The trail said it was 2 miles, but my Garmin said was was more...) Eagle Trial is listed as difficult, definately wear tennis shoes or hiking boots, but if your moderately in shape you shoukd be fine.
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 11, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
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Dmarkwind
Kansas City, MO2,693 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
This is our go-to camping location whenever we visit Door County. It’s a large and beautiful park, and we probably don’t take full advantage of the park’s amenities, although we’re not golfers, probably wouldn’t hang out at the beach, and never seem to hit the nature center when it’s open. The park has well over 460 camping sites spread over five campgrounds, but still fills in the summer months, so make your reservations early! The campgrounds are wooded, which gives some separation between campsites, and the camp restrooms are well-maintained. The surrounding towns are small enough that there’s not a lot of light pollution, and the stars seen from here seem brighter and more numerous than from home. It seems like a fairly central location to Door County attractions. On our most recent visit, we tried to attend a show at the Northern Sky Theater, which is presented at an amphitheater in the park, but it got cancelled on account of rain. We were disappointed that we didn’t get to see what looked like a fun and quirky show, but they refunded our money promptly. We always make a point to visit the park’s Eagle Tower, which is 60 feet tall and is located atop a bluff, where it offers panoramic views of the park, surrounding islands, the Upper Michigan shoreline, and the village of Ephraim. The current tower, which opened in 2021, represents a $3.5 million replacement of the tower we previously visited at the same location. You can get to the top of it by either climbing 100 stairs, or via an 850-foot, accessible canopy walk which winds above the treeline to the top of the tower. The new design with the long ramp reminds me of the walk to Clingman’s Dome in Smokey Mountain National Park. I have no doubt that at some point in the future, we will be back to Door County and Penisula State Park!
Written July 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LauraJean
DeKalb, IL220 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Couples
We took the Door County Trolley through the park and got a terrific tour from John, our driver. Given that there’s an admission fee, I would recommend the trolley for an overview of this large park. It is clearly the loveliest of the peninsula’s parks and in prime real estate between Fish Creek and Ephraim, two of the loveliest villages.
Written September 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sue M
South Sioux City, NE75 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Couples
This state park is busier than Newport State Park. More traffic and more people. Watch for bicycle riders. It is a beautiful park. The rebuilt Eagle Bluff Tower offers spectacular views of the Green Bay. You can climb the many steps to the top, or you can walk up the handicapped accessible ramp to the top. You should definitely get to the top of the tower! After climbing the tower, we walked part of the Sentinel Trail, which was a nice walk through the woods, with informational signs along the way about the trees and the forest. Nicolet Beach is a nice swimming beach area with a playground, benches and picnic tables, a little store/snack shop and bathrooms. There is plenty of parking in this area. You should be sure to make your way to the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in the park. Tours of the lighthouse are available, and there is a nice view of the Green Bay here. As you drive along Shore Road, watch for pull outs where you can sit on benches and just enjoy being on the lake shore, watching the world go by. There are campgrounds in this park, but we were just day trippers.
Written September 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MaxieandLucy
Barrington, IL113 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Family
Trip before this 7/2024 one was in 2016 and things have changed for camping. The areas in front of the shower buildings for doing your hair, etc are now closed completely in North and South Nicolet campground. Poison Ivy is prolific in North Nicolet campground. Bike lanes are not consistently marked on the roads. Food trucks are now at the beach. Tour buses load and unload blocking traffic from moving on the main road near the beach. Leashes for dogs apparently are now optional in the campground. Signs to keep your dog off the grassy beach area are apparently only for decorative purposes. Picking up after your dog also seems to be optional. Apparently the increase in camping fees are not for maintaining areas or for rangers to enforce posted rules. Prior to 2016 we had camped several times a year here for at least ten years.
Written July 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MomRocco
Chicago, IL543 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
This is a large park offering a variety of activities. We used to visit the park frequently during family trips to DC. We went on a Friday about mid-morning and it was already very busy. We tried to visit the lighthouse, but it was closed for private tours only that day. Many more people with dogs than we previously remembered. Plus the park is bike friendly and so you'll likely encounter groups which are spread out and dominating paths and roadways. If you've got children, you could probably easily spend several hours here.
Written June 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

802roger
Sioux City, IA19 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
We enjoy this park at our yearly visits to DC! This time we actually tent camped in the park for several days. The sites were very nice and perfect for our tent yet room for our bikes and kayaks as well. We went to the play at the the theatre there and biked/hiked the trails/roads and used the kayak launch and those all were nice! We do have 2 complaints about the park and 1 is that the roads are getting to be in bad condition. Many spots have big pot holes that need filled at a minimum. The 2nd complaint is that the bathrooms didn't have hot water for showers on 2 nights we used them so we tried another shower house and it had hot water but the drain was plugged so badly in the mens shower that it ran clear into the toilets/sinks area. I'm not sure who is responsible for the maintenance but there could use to be a little work done considering the state park fees required for its use. Despite those drawbacks, its a very nice park!
Written August 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ZoomieTraveler
Georgia Coast, GA2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
This is a lovely state park with world-class views. Multiple picnic and camping areas. The tower is something that cannot be missed. There's a recently-completed ramp that allows one to gradually get to the top. Enjoyed playing at the golf course one day last week. Reasonable rates.
One complaint to the State of Wisconsin. There is a daily fee to use the state parks, but no weekly fee for tourists....the only other alternative is an annual fee. Consequently, I have heard that most visitors rush through the peninsula so as to be able to see all the state parks in a single day as opposed to taking their time at each lovely park and spending more time in the area. Felt like the state created an unintended disincentive to stay in Door County multiple days.
Written August 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

iowarhino13
Saint Paul, MN342 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
this is a GREAT place for hiking, biking, camping, and has sand or rock beaches, a couple great viewing points for Lake Michigan. Was on kid watching duty while wives were shopping in Fish Creek so we drove through the park and had a fantastic time. Saw Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, climbed Eagle Tower, stopped at 2 beach areas and made a note to come back for a longer visit!
Written June 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

T H
3 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020
Let me start off by saying this is one of my favorite state parks in Wisconsin. I have been coming here for over 40 years, since my parents brought the family that time ago. This trip up my family was here the last week in July. Many updates have been made since last year, including new vault toilets in the campgrounds, and redone showers as well. All those improvements were sorely needed and seem well executed. The big issue is the lack of presence of park staff. Due to Covid19 the DNR has chosen to neglect ALL state parks this year and not staff the contact stations. As a result some campers are taking liberties with the situation. Overcrowded campsites, some with 3 or more vehicles, 3 or 4 tents on a site, others with an RV and 3 tents. Although the website claimed all campsites in Welckers, Tennison Bay, and Nicolet Bay were booked solidly during that time except for a sporadic opening here and there, we noted a number of sites were never occupied during the 5 days we were there. What gives? Also the park has now eliminated walk up sites and made all "reservable". The Sunset Bike trail is a jewel, but like all jewels it needs attention. For a 2 way trail, it narrows to 2 feet in some spots from its normal 5-6' width. That is dangerous for a trail as heavily used as it is, and with the rather wobbly riding of some of its users. Vegetation encroachment in some areas also makes it hazardous when bikers pass one another in some sections. This bike trail is beautiful, and as such is utilized by hundreds of cyclists a day during the summer season. Treat this jewel with the care it deserves due it its overwhelming popularity. DNR get your act together, don't waste time mowing campsites with no grass in them, fix the trails.
Written August 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ron W
Oconomowoc, WI275 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
A drive through the park is awesome but to stop and visit the new tower or the old Lighthouse. Great place for a round of golf or just bring the camping equipment and stay a while. Our only disappointment was, we had tickets to the Northern Sky theatre at night and it was cancelled by a rain storm that moved through.
Written July 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Peninsula State Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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