The Ultimate Weekend Itinerary If You Love Spending Time Outdoors In Wisconsin
By Ben Jones|Published May 10, 2023
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Ben Jones
Author
Ben Jones is at heart an adventurer who delights in inspiring others. A former reporter and photojournalist, he explored towns large and small as a Wisconsin correspondent for USA Today. He later became a lead photographer and senior copywriter for an award-winning destination marketing agency, before founding Boldland Creative, a company that produces photography, video, and other content for travel destinations. Jones has completed photography and content projects in more than 15 states and when he’s not looking through a camera or at his Macbook you’ll find him exploring the world’s lakes and forests.
Wisconsin’s public lands beckon adventurers, and some of the state’s most spectacular outdoor spaces can be found in Door County. The county’s biggest crowds flock to the villages flanking the county’s western “bay side.” We’ll stay east on this trip, exploring some wild and beautiful places along Lake Michigan. I grew up exploring these trails and beaches, and I return to them whenever I can. If you have a weekend free, and you love the outdoors, here’s a trip that will take you to some special places to enjoy some great outdoor adventures and activities in Wisconsin.
From national parks and campgrounds to waterfalls, canyons, and more, there is so much to love about America’s natural splendor — and June, designated as Great Outdoors Month, is the perfect time to get outside.
You’ve probably driven far enough just to get to Door County, so this trip maximizes your time outside and includes just 80 minutes of drive time. It passes some wonderful outdoor attractions.
Hike at Newport Park State Park
We’re starting this Wisconsin adventure at the wild and beautiful northern end of the county.
Newport State Park, 475 County Rd NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210, USA
Newport State Park is much quieter than Peninsula State Park to the south, but in some ways, it’s even more beautiful - at least I think so: I got married here! One of my favorite loops follows Europe Bay Beach and then traces the shore of Europe Lake.
This fun pod of food trucks has a lot of delicious options – Chives serves everything from breakfast to burgers and craft cocktails. It’s easy to linger here, but we have a lot more to discover.
Walk along the rugged bluffs and peek into sea caves as the waves thump below. It’s beautiful in any season, and you’ll probably want to take some photos.
Soak In The Sun At Whitefish Dunes
Another remarkable outdoor spot is a short drive away - the beach at Whitefish Dunes State Park.
Whitefish Dunes State Park, 3275 Clarks Lake Rd, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235, USA
This sweeping beach is the perfect place to relax on a sunny Door County day. Lined by protected sand dunes that are home to rare plant life, this soft sand beach is a good place to take in the beauty of the lake, or perhaps a good beach read. Use caution in the water though, because currents can develop here.
Fall Asleep With A Cana Island View
We’ll end this outdoor adventure with a stay in a spacious vacation home along the lakeshore in Baileys Harbor.
Take in the view of this old beacon before turning in for the night. This vacation rental home has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a great dock for swimming, if you need a little more time outdoors!
There’s a lot more to discover in this part of the state. What other outdoor adventures and activities in Wisconsin would you recommend to our readers? Here are some other unique Wisconsin trips.
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