This Year-Round Campground In Wisconsin Is One Of America's Most Incredible Dark Sky Parks
By Ben Jones|Published February 21, 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.
A beautiful sight is fast disappearing from our world: a sky that’s filled with stars. Light pollution blankets much of earth, stealing the view from too many places. When you look up to the heavens, you see nothing. Fortunately, there are still some places that reward those who gaze upwards. Newport State Park is a dark sky park in Wisconsin and the campsites are open to adventurers all year. Here’s what’s waiting for you at Newport State Park.
You’ll find Newport State park at the far northern end of Door County, along the shore of Lake Michigan. It spans nearly 2,400 acres.
The park is located miles from the county’s busiest villages, right along the shore of Lake Michigan. The result: a sky that’s teeming with bright stars.
If you’re looking for RV sites with full hookups, this isn’t the park for you – the park’s 17 sites are rustic backpacking sites. While they won’t require an all-day hike to reach, there’s some walking involved.
It’s worth it. Once you have your tent set up and get your warm sleeping bag in place, you’ll have a front row seat to a heavenly view. Newport Park is a Dark Sky Park, one of the darkest spots in the state!
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If your stargazing is foiled by clouds – a risk in a Wisconsin winter night – the park is still a rewarding destination. The park has long, sweeping beaches that are icy and dramatic on winter days. They are great for a winter stroll.
The park also has miles of trails – they are groomed trails for cross-county skiing, snowshoeing, and winter fat biking. You can warm up with a campfire at the end of the trail, and enjoy a beautiful night sky!
Because the park is rustic, you’ll need to pack in all of your supplies and you’ll need winter camping gear. Learn more about this amazing park on the Newport State Park website. If you love extraordinary sights, you’ll find an incredible drive near the park – but keep your eyes on the road!
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