Peninsula State Park in Door County Wisconsin - My Idea of Paradise

My husband and I are fairly new at camping. We'vewish, but people have to bring their own boats to do
only been doing it for four years but we alreadyso. Overnight camping is not allowed on the island,
have a favorite place that we make sure to gobut it's a beautiful daytime destination.
every year. That place is Peninsula State Park in DoorWildlife is plentiful in the park. During every one of
County, Wisconsin.our trips there we have seen deer. This year during a
If you look at a map of Wisconsin and look at thehike we came within about 30 feet of a mother deer
thumb-like piece of land on the right hand-side of thatwith her two fawns. This year we also had a
state that jutting out into Lake Michigan, you arewoodpecker about 10 feet from our campsite that
looking at Door County. Door County, Wisconsin is aliked to make lots of noise pecking away at the
75 mile long peninsula. Peninsula State Park is locatedtrees.
in Fish Creek, Wisconsin which is about 55 miles upThere is so much to do and see within the park a
into the peninsula. The entire area is beautiful andperson could spend several days, or even weeks,
picturesque. But in my mind, the best place in Doorinside the park without doing the same thing twice.
County is Peninsula State Park.During our first five day camping trip there a few
Peninsula State Park is owned and operated by theyears ago, we only left the park once. The rest of
State of Wisconsin. The park is 3,776 acres and hasthe time we enjoyed ourselves hiking, biking,
almost 7 miles of undeveloped shoreline. The scenerysightseeing, sitting by our campfires at our campsite
within the park is breathtaking and varied. Besides theand cooking over our campfire. Our campsite had a
beautiful shoreline, there are forested areas,view of the water and had a spectacular view of the
meadows, a beach for swimming, wetlands, andsunsets. It was a great vacation, and as a bonus I
rocky bluffs. The park even has a popular 18 holelost a couple of pounds because of all the exercise I
golf course that needs to be booked several monthsgot!
in advance if you want a tee time during the busyThe past couple of years we've ventured outside
summer months.the park more often and have done fun things in
There are also miles of hiking and biking trails in theother parts of Door County including visiting some
park; a 75 foot tower that can be climbed forwineries and indulging in wine tasting; taking a ferry
breathtaking views of the area; a nature center; aover to Washington Island at the northern tip of
historic lighthouse that is open during the warmerDoor County; visiting other Door County parks;
months for guided tours; two sand volleyball courtsvisiting some orchards; enjoying a couple of festivals;
on the beach; a tennis court; several camping areas;and renting mopeds at the edge of Peninsula Park
picnicking areas; sightseeing areas; a pier for fishing;and driving them around the park.
boat launch areas; an outdoor theatre that you canThe camp sites are a good value. Even with
see performances at from about the middle of Juneelectricity and a water view (there's an extra fee for
to the middle of August; and numerous signswater view and electric sites) a campsite at Peninsula
explaining the history of the area. There is even aState park is less than $20 a night. If you want to
cemetery inside the park.camp in the summer, plan ahead. Even though the
In addition the park owns Horseshoe Island, one ofcampground has over 450 camp sites, it fills up
several islands adjacent to the park. People can boat,quickly and is often booked solid.
canoe or kayak out to the island and hike it if they