Some of the best hikes in Wisconsin might leave you with a little sand in your shoes. The Old Baldy Loop in Whitefish Dunes State Park takes hikers right to the lakeshore and offers a hike unlike any other in Wisconsin. The hike is so breathtaking you won’t mind shaking out that sand! Here’s what you’ll find down the trail at Whitefish Dunes State Park.
The state park is located in Door County, a short drive up the peninsula from Sturgeon Bay. It surrounds another top natural attraction -- Cave Point County Park, an iconic park that’s home to sea caves.
The area has a long history – Native Americans called this place home for thousands of years. Today more than 800 acres are protected as state park land. The Whitefish Dunes Nature Center has exhibits about the unique ecology, geology, and cultural history of the park.
The park is laced with miles of trails that are popular with bird watchers, hikers, and trail runners. The Old Baldy Loop with take you through some of the park’s amazing landscape.
The loop is a little under three miles in length and while it’s not a particularly challenging hike, it will take you to Old Baldy, the tallest dune in the park – and Wisconsin, for that matter.
Much of the trail is a woodland hike, but it skirts the Lake Michigan shore so there are plenty of places to get off the sandy trail and onto the beach.
The hike is gorgeous in any season. While the hike is amazing in the summer, use caution if swimming – there are dangerous rip currents in the area, especially at the north end of the beach.
A state vehicle sticker is required to access this trail, as well as other attractions, at Whitefish Dunes State Park. The park protects a very fragile dune environment – be sure to follow all park signs and respect any closures at the park. Learn more about the park on its website. Door County has some incredible state parks – this one might be the best in the state!
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