If you’re looking for a Door County State Park that offers a good variety of activities, family camping, accessible recreation options, and isn’t too overcrowded, then Potawatomi State Park is a perfect pick! Nestled along Sturgeon Bay at the base of the Door Peninsula, Potawatomi State Park offers 1,200 acres of gentle-rolling terrain where visitors can walk or hike a variety of paths that are bordered by slopes and rugged limestone cliffs. The park features the trailhead and nearly three miles of the Ice Age trail, which showcases the edge of the last continental glacier in Wisconsin. Apart from the trails, settle in along the Sturgeon Bay shoreline for a snack or to play some outdoor games, read, or rest. Truly a state park set aside for leisure and relaxation, Potawatomi State Park is an easy pick and home base for your next Door County adventure.
But, before you hit the road to visit, we recommend you join the 2022 Wisconsin State Parks Challenge and get your kids started with the Wisconsin Explorer’s Program so that you can earn prizes and patches while you explore nature together.
Potawatomi State Park At-A-Glance
- Travel Specs: 1 hour, 10 minutes from Appleton | 77 miles, Door County
- Address: 3740 Park Drive, Sturgeon Bay
- dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/potawatomi
- Vehicle Admission Pricing: With a WI license plate, you can purchase a daily pass for $8 or an annual pass to all of Wisconsin’s state parks for $28. Stop in at the park office.
- Pets: Leashed pets are allowed in the park.
- Camping: Yes, 123 family sites; some with electricity and an accessible cabin
- History: This shore land was once inhabited by native tribes who called themselves Bo-De-Wad-Me, meaning “keeper of the fire.”
Biking
If your family loves to bike, there are eight miles of off-road bike trails to explore in addition to the park roads! Parking Lot 1 is a great spot to park for easy access to the trails.
Boating & Fishing
Potawatomi State Park is an excellent place to access the waters of Green Bay. There are many SCUBA divers, kayakers, canoers, and other boaters here. You can access the waters via a boat launch in the park on Sawyer Harbor, a sheltered inlet at the mouth of Sturgeon Bay. The park also offers canoe, kayak, and paddleboat rentals if you don’t own your own! Unfortunately, this park does not offer opportunities for swimming as the shoreline is quite rocky.
Planning to fish? Check out the accessible fishing pier on the park’s south shoreline! There is also a fish cleaning station. And, if you don’t have your own equipment, you can borrow free basic fishing equipment at the park office while you are visiting.
Camping
If you’re looking for a great camping spot in Door County, look no further! Potawatomi State Park offers 123 family sites total and 40 of which have electricity. There are two camping sites designed to be accessible, and an amazing, large accessible cabin. The Cabin By the Bay was designed with persons of varied abilities in mind.
Hiking
Potawatomi State Park is an excellent spot to get out and hike! This park is home to the Eastern Trailhead for the 1,000-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail that weaves throughout Wisconsin highlighting the geological landscape left behind from ancient glacial activity in this region. If you’re not intending a multi-day hike across Wisconsin, then you can simply enjoy the 2.8 miles that weave through Potawatomi State Park.
Another great hiking option is the Tower Trail, a smooth 3.6-mile walk that will take you past the old tower on the highest bluff in the park. Or, for a smaller trek, try the 0.5-mile Ancient Shores Trail that travels along the shoreline with some educational signs to learn about the ecology here as you stroll.
Winter Activities
Potawatomi is a great spot for a variety of winter recreation. If you’d like to cross-country ski, the park offers 8.5 miles of groomed ski trails when snow conditions are favorable (the blue, black, red, and green trails). If winter hiking or snowshoeing is more your speed, try 0.5-mile Nature Trail or a 1-mile portion of the Ice Age Trail along the shoreline just north of the campground. Ice fishing is very popular in the park at the Sawyer Harbor boat launch, but be aware that ice conditions are not monitored for hazards or safety.
Other Beautiful Parks to Visit Nearby
- Bay Shore County Park, 5637 Sturgeon Bay Rd, New Franken
- On the way to Sturgeon Bay and another great spot to access Green Bay! Enjoy the water, beach & swimming, hiking, camping, and an amazing wooden playground here! Definitely worth the stop.
- Cave Point County Park, 5360 Schauer Rd, Sturgeon Bay
- Nestled within Whitefish Dunes State Park (but still accessible for free!), Cave Point is home to the amazing sea caves and breathtaking Lake Michigan views. You have to visit this one!
- Wequiock Falls Park, 3426 Bay Settlement Rd, Green Bay
- Another gem en route to Door County, check out the gorgeous waterfalls here!
Be sure to visit the other amazing Door County State Parks including Newport State Park, Peninsula State Park, and Whitefish Dunes State Park while you’re in the area!
And, if we’ve successfully whet your appetite for outdoor adventure in general, check out our roundup of 26 Awesome Wisconsin State Parks That Are Only Two Hours or Less From Appleton!
