This is my favorite state park in Wisconsin, it is located between Fish Creek and Ephraim in Door County.
Peninsula State Park as over 400 campsites, a sandy beach, an 1880s lighthouse, several miles of glorious shoreline, a summer theater, an 18-hole golf course, and plenty of bike and hiking trails.
There is so much to do in the gorgeous park that we fell in love with it and are coming back every year. Just one thing to note that all Wisconsin State Parks require a sticker if you are stopping in the park. You can purchase one here.
THINGS TO DO:
LIGHTHOUSE (EAGLE BLUFF)
The 1868 lighthouse still guides vessels through the narrow Strawberry Channel and is well worth the visit. For a small fee you can tour the inside of the light house and learn it’s history. One of the children who lived in the lighthouse donated many original pieces to the museum and helped to re-create the décor to the state when he lived their as a boy.
There are stories about the lighthouse being haunted by a ghostly young boy and people visit hoping to see him. My oldest daughter and I weren’t lucky enough to spot him when we were there at sunset but you have let us know! She loves a good ghost story. You can find more information about the lighthouse here: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/peninsula/lighthouse
TOWER (EAGLE PANORAMA):
The view is amazing and you might even see an eagle! Sometimes the parking lot is crowded but it’s well worth the wait. I’m probably biased because my favorite family photo is from this area but this is a must do if you drive through the park.
HIKING
Peninsula state park has a total of 20 miles of hiking trails. There are about 9 different trail options with varying difficulties (both steep and rocky or flat easy options) and lengths from 0.5 to slightly over 2 miles so everyone can find one that suits them.
BICYCLING
If you didn’t bring your bikes with you go into Fish Creek or to the Nicolet Beach store to rent them. We really enjoyed bicycling around the park!
We really enjoyed bicycling on sunset bike route, it is fairly flat and easy to bike (even for short children legs). In total it’s 9.6 miles and runs from the Fish Creek entrance to the park (very near Not Licked Yet Frozen Custard – YUM!) to Nicolet Beach and back roads of the park. You can also bike from Nicolet Beach to the nature center on this trail.
We didn’t take advantage of the Off-Road Bike Trails that the park offers because we have small children with us and you have to be properly equipped to attempt that challenge. Also, anyone over 16 years old has to get a State trail pass.
WHITE CEDAR NATURE CENTER
Unfortunately due to COVID and staffing issues we have yet to visit the park while this was open but peaking in the windows it looks like a great place to kids to learn about the park. More information here: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/peninsula/naturecenter
CEMETERY
There are two historic cemeteries located within Peninsula State Park. One is private and the other a public cemetery. 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.
GOLF COURSE
We haven’t been to the golf course yet but I hear it’s got 18 holes and club house with restaurant. It is beautiful to drive by and on the Ephriam side of the park. You can find more information here : https://www.peninsulagolf.org
SWIMMING
Nicolet Beach offers a swimming area, rental of kayaks and other watercraft, a snack bar and plenty of sand for sunbathing. Of course this is where my kids wanted to spend all their time.
CAMPING:
Several different campgrounds with each different amenities to fit multiple interests. In fact they even have winter camping at Tennison Bay campground with electric and a central water source. My favorite campground is Nicolet Bay because you are very close to the swimming beach and that’s what the kids prefer to do and honestly that’s the best thing to do on a warm summer afternoon.
Nicolet Bay
Nicolet Bay is where the swimming beach is located in the park. There are two campgrounds at Nicolet Bay, North and South. The north area doesn’t have electrical hook ups but has a boat launch and fishing pier. The south campground has both electric and non electric sites and a public boat launch. The beach area also has bike and boat rentals, sand volleyball courts, a playground and a camp store.
TENNISON BAY
This is where you can winter camp. There are both electric and non electric sites here and in the winter there is a central water source. This is great if you are into winter activities (snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, and sledding). In the summer there is also a boat launch by the campground for canoes.
WEBORG POINT
This is a very small campground with only 12 sites but they are all electric and it does have a shower/flush toilet building and a fishing pier.
WELCKER’S POINT
There are no electrical hookups and there are showers/flush toilet buildings. This campground is moderate sized with 81 sites.
OTHER LOCAL SITES TO SEE
Read more about Washington Island on our blog here.
