Situated along the Lake Michigan shoreline in beautiful Door County, Whitefish Dunes State Park offers miles of sandy beach for you and your family to stroll and play while you are visiting.
This park was established to protect the fragile sand dune environment that once covered much of Door County’s shoreline. Here at the park, there are plenty of hiking opportunities: trails along the sandy dunes, along the Great Lake waters, and through the forests. Be sure to bring your furry friends along to this park, too, for some great pet-friendly beach access!
And, the breathtaking Cave Point County Park is actually surrounded by Whitefish Dunes (if you walk the beach from Cave Point, you can even gain free access to the State Park!). Be sure not to miss this Wisconsin gem on your next trip to the Door Peninsula.
Ready to plan your adventure? 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 (or get all the materials you need at the main office there) so that you can earn prizes and patches while you explore nature together.
READ MORE: Our Favorite Things to Do With Kids in Door County
Whitefish Dunes State Park At-A-Glance
- Travel Specs: 1 hr, 28 min | 91.6 miles, Door County
- Address: 3275 Clarks Lake Rd, Sturgeon Bay
- dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/whitefish
- Camping: No, it’s a day-use park only
- 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. They have a wonderful pet beach, too!
- Park Office: Stop into the park office to check out their interactive exhibits that focus on the archeology, history, and natural resources & wildlife found in the park.
- History: Archaeological remains suggest this shoreland was once home to eight different groups of peoples throughout the 3,000 years the sand dunes have been around. European settlers began to occupy the area as early as 1838, and this bay became home to six shipwrecks as the trading and lumber business began to boom. Whitefish Dunes State Park was eventually established here in 1967 after decades of mounting concerns for protecting the fragile dunes, plants, and wildlife.
Beach
If strolls along sandy beaches are your thing, then Whitefish Dunes State Park is perfect for you! The park offers three beach access points. Beach access points #1 and #2 are easily accessible from the park entrance and the Red Trail, but keep in mind these are NOT ideal for swimming as there are dangerous rip currents on Lake Michigan in this area.
You can also make the beautiful trek down the Red Trail to beach access #3 where you and your furry friends can enjoy the refreshing Lake Michigan waters at the pet beach!
In an effort to preserve this fragile environment, climbing sand dunes is not permitted, and you can incur hefty fines if you do so.
Biking
Bicyclists are welcome here at Whitefish Dunes! Just be sure to stick to areas where bikers are permitted: near the office along the Red Trail to S, Cave Point Drive, the Third Beach access to Clark Lake Road, and from the office to Schauer Road. Bicycles are not permitted along the beach/sand dunes.
Fishing & Boating
Fishing is available at Clark Lake while you’re visiting the state park. Don’t have the right equipment? Not to worry! Stop in at the park office to check out basic fishing equipment for FREE!
Canoe and kayak paddling are permitted but be aware of strong Lake Michigan gusts and dangerous rip currents. Be sure to follow state park maps and posted signs carefully for areas of special concern. It never hurts to check in with the park rangers to help you safely plan your recreation pursuits while in any state park.
Hiking & Old Baldy
There are 14.5 miles of lovely hiking trails to enjoy at Whitefish Dunes State Park! Be sure to stay on marked trails; you can incur hefty fines for climbing the fragile sand dunes scattered throughout the park.
We recommend the 2.8-mile Red Trail if your hiking party is up for it! (There are plenty of spots to check out the beach, sit & rest, and use the restroom along the way). At the end of the trail you’ll reach Old Baldy, the park’s largest sand dune at 93 feet above lake level. An observation deck here offers spectacular views of Lake Michigan and Clark Lake. This is also a great trail to access the Pet Beach (the third beach access point).
Winter Activities
Whitefish Dunes State Park is a great place for winter recreation. The park designated the 2.5-mile loop Black Trail (a shorter loop is available) for snowshoeing. Cross-country skiing is available on the groomed 1.8-mile Green Trail, 2.8-mile Red Trail, and 4.2-mile Yellow Trail depending on how big of an adventure you’re in for!
READ MORE: Winter Travels: Experience a Day of Family Fun in Door County!
Other Adventures You Have to Check Out in This Area
Cave Point County Park
Location: 5360 Schauer Rd, Sturgeon Bay
Nestled with the northern boundaries of Whitefish Dunes State Park (but still accessible for free!), the amazing Lake Michigan views and underwater caves of Cave Point County Park attract thousands of nature enthusiasts, photographers, anglers, and skilled scuba divers every year. Sunrises are particularly breathtaking here! Kayakers love to tour the nooks and crannies of the caves (be careful of the rapidly changing water conditions on Lake Michigan).
Water activity at Cave Point County Park is also a treat during storms; water splashes and spurts through blowholes as waves crash against the rock formations. The icicle formations on the rocks & sea caves offer a magical wintertime experience for visitors at Cave Point.
Cana Island Lighthouse
Location: 8800 E Cana Island Rd, Baileys Harbor
First erected in 1869, the Cana Island Lighthouse remains the most iconic of Door County’s lighthouses today. You can reach the island via hayride and tour the old lighthouse, lightkeeper’s living quarters, and climb the stairs for a spectacular view of Lake Michigan for $10/person May through October. Note: the lighthouse is undergoing its final phase of a multi-million dollar restoration in summer of 2022 and some parts of the tour, such as the lighthouse tower, are not open during the renovation.
Check out the other amazing Door County State Parks including Newport State Park, Peninsula State Park, and Potawatomi State Park while you’re in the area!
If we’ve successfully whet your appetite for outdoor adventure, we’ve rounded up 26 Awesome Wisconsin State Parks That Are Only Two Hours or Less From Appleton to add to your bucket list!
