There’s a park near the tip of northern Door County that has it all – a fascinating history, wild woodland trails, lakeside campsites, deserted beaches, and a hidden lake. Newport State Park is separated from Door County’s biggest and most popular tourist attractions, and that’s a big part of its charm. This is a place where you can get away from it all and experience the beautiful, wild side of Door County. Here’s a bit of what you can experience at Newport State Park and why it’s our pick for the best state park in Wisconsin:

Newport State Park covers nearly 2,400 acres and it protects 11 miles of shoreline. It’s Wisconsin's only wilderness-designated state park; and in 2017, the International Dark-Sky Association named Newport a Dark Sky Park. It’s the place to go for stargazing in Wisconsin.
Facebook/ Newport Wilderness Society
There are literally miles of sand beach in the park, including a large beach at Newport Bay and another big beach at Europe Bay, that is also accessible via a town park.
Facebook/ Newport Wilderness Society
The beaches are often deserted so it’s easy to find a quiet place to relax. Nearby, there are a few ruins from a village that was once here.
Facebook/ Newport Wilderness Society

Related Stories

11 Lesser-Known State Parks In Wisconsin That Will Absolutely Amaze You

11 Lesser-Known State Parks In Wisconsin That Will Absolutely Amaze You

 11 Wisconsin Nature Preserves That Are Just As Majestic As State Parks

11 Wisconsin Nature Preserves That Are Just As Majestic As State Parks

 Take This Unforgettable Road Trip To 5 Of Wisconsin’s Least-Visited State Parks

Take This Unforgettable Road Trip To 5 Of Wisconsin’s Least-Visited State Parks
The park has an inland lake called Europe Lake – it’s a warm, pleasant place for swimming. There are campsites near the lake, as well as other sites with views of Lake Michigan. Miles of trails connect the sites, including the lush Fern Trail.
Facebook/ Newport Wilderness Society
The park is used by local walking groups, but you’ll often find the trails nearly deserted.
Facebook/ Newport Wilderness Society
You’ll encounter some amazing plant life in the park, including delicate wild orchids, too!
Facebook/ Newport Wilderness Society

Newport State Park is open from 6 a.m. – 11 p.m., all year-round. It’s located near the tip of the Door County Peninsula off Highway 42. Traveling north from Ellison Bay, visitors should turn east off of the highway. Interested in exploring some more wonderful Wisconsin state parks? Check out these lesser-known spots.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Wisconsin

Featured Addresses
Newport State Park, 475 County Rd NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210, USA