Door County Wilderness - Off the Beaten Path

Traveling to one of Wisconsin's most popular locations - Door County, one doesn't expect to find area's protected as Wilderness.  But that's exactly what you'll find when you head to Newport State Park on the tip of Door County.

Newport State Park

I am somewhat fond of this state park because of it's Wilderness declaration (it is the only state park in Wisconsin that is designated as a wilderness park), but also because this is where I had my first backpacking experience back on May 1st 2010.  I've camped since I was 6 months old, stayed on hike in campsites, but never took my pack and gear and did a backpacking experience.  And when I finally did it, I didn't just grab my gear, but also enough gear for two dogs.  And in early May, in Door County, and directly on Lake Michigan.  Yes, it was cold as I remember.

Backpacking at Newport State Park

Newport State Park does not allow campers.  All 16 campsites in this park are backpack sites.  With the craziness of Door County and all the tourists, you can escape that easily at this park.  It's one of the reasons I make a point to take at least one trip each year back up here.  Very rarely when I'm hiking the trails do I run into another person.  (There's about 30 miles of trails in the park.)  And so far since 2010, I've made another four trips.  Each time, experiencing a different time of the year.  Spring, Summer months, Fall - and it doesn't matter when you go, it's always quiet and beautiful.  

Newport Beach State Park - View from site to Lake Michigan

One of the things I really like about this park is how you can go from a beach shoreline to a rugged shoreline.  All within a short hike.  And with the wilderness designation, you can see and experience all types of wildlife (be careful of the porcupines).  

Rocky ledges @ Newport State Park, Door County, WI

And because of the lack of people - I think it's one of my dogs favorite parks.  They run off leash and get to swim in Lake Michigan.  It's so fun to watch them run and chase the waves on Lake Michigan.  And then after dinner, they're pretty much done for the day.  

Then once they're done - I can relax and watch the moon rise over Lake Michigan.  Eventually turning in for what is typically the best sleep I get - outdoors and in a tent.  Sun, fresh air, hiking and peace and quiet in the wilderness.  What else can one ask for?  

Moon rising over Lake Michigan @ Newport State Park

“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.”   John Muir

Camping and Dogs

Another weekend of camping done.  This weekend my dogs, Jasmine and Wailea, and did a little backpacking at Newport State Park in Door County, WI.  This is a great state park because not only is it located on Lake Michigan and in Door County, but all campsites are wilderness sites and you have to hike it in.  This alone makes it a very quiet and private park. 

A four hour drive from Milwaukee always makes hiking in on a Friday night fun since I always end up hiking in at sunset.  This weekend was no different.  The dogs and I hiked it to the site (2 miles from the parking lot) with our full pack and set up for a weekend of enjoyment on the Lake Michigan shoreline. 

Lake Michigan at Sunset from Newport State Park

One of the other nice things about this park is there are only 16 campsites spread throughout the park so no one is camping one top of each other.  My campsite this weekend was #7 and we were alone in our stretch of the park and therefore had our own shoreline on Lake Michigan. 

Shoreline of Lake Michigan in front of my campsite.

It was a great way to let my dogs be dogs and just let them play in the lake.  They have in the 11+ years that they've been around so far, taught me a lot about life and how to slow down and relax.  Now that they are over 11 years old, I'm learning how to just enjoy my time with them.  I know they won't be around forever so these weekends away camping with them are a great way to just enjoy them. 

Jasmine and Wailea playing on the beach at Newport State Park

Jasmine and Wailea have grown so accustomed to the weekend camping getaways that I think they can count the days and know when Friday is here.  By Friday morning they are anxious and always ready for the next car ride.  They never know where they're going, but they know they're going to get to run in the woods, play in water and sleep in the tent.  And by Sunday they're done and ready to hit the car and sleep on the way home.  Dreaming dreams of their next weekend getaway.

Jasmine and Wailea - done after a day of playing on the beach and in Lake Michigan

Summer of Mini Vacations

Summer has finally started in WI, but the summer of mini vacations started before summer.  This year I have decided to take full advantage of the weekends and make them mini vacations.  Wisconsin has a lot of State Parks and Forests and I've decided to take advantage of them.  I'm attempting to visit as many as I can for the weekend and try not to hit the same one twice. 

So far this year I've hit up for camping, backpacking and/or hiking:

• Newport State Park (backpacking and hiking)
• Northern Kettle Moraine (camping and hiking)
• Southern Kettle Moraine (camping and hiking)
• Bluemound State Park (hiking only)
• Governor Dodge State Park (camping and hiking)
• Tower Hill State Park (hiking only)

and a trip to Northern Wisconsin to visit the parents.  That was exciting since there was a bear family that kept visiting their yard. 

For the remainder of the summer / fall so far planned are visits to Black River and Devils Lake State Parks.  The rest are still under consideration and planning. 

And then this fall may make a second trip down to the Moab, UT region if time and vacation permits and this time take the dogs (November - it will be cooler).

So what are you doing this summer?  I'm looking forward to my summer of mini vacations.

Newport State Park



Stephen's Falls, Governor Dodge State Park

Bear family visiting my parents place in Northern WI. (Mom and 3 cubs in the background)

So whatever you do this summer - make sure you have fun and enjoy it.  While winter may be my favorite season of the year - I also like to make the most of the cooler summer days.