Labor Day Camping, Hiking, and Kayaking at Door County, WI

How to get on the trip: 1. Add your name to the "Wait List" 2. Fill out the trip application and get approved within 48h: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZWNDWL2 3. Make a payment (information provided below) 4. After the payment is received, you will be marked as "Going" 5. See you at the campsite! :)

We’re going back to Door County for more hiking, biking, kayaking, beaches, small-town exploring, and plenty of campfire fun — RAIN OR SHINE! This Labor Day weekend, our home base will be Potawatomi State Park, just outside Sturgeon Bay. We’ll spend three nights camping, exploring the peninsula, getting out on the water, discovering Door County’s scenic spots, and hopefully ending each day around a good campfire with good people.

Door County starts just north of Algoma, with Sturgeon Bay serving as the gateway to the Door Peninsula. Sturgeon Bay is about 45 miles from Green Bay, 150 miles from Milwaukee, 240 miles from Chicago, and 320 miles from Minneapolis. Egg Harbor, the first town on the Green Bay side of the peninsula, is about 17 miles from Sturgeon Bay. And yes, there is a LOT to do.

Our Camping Home Base We’ll be staying at Potawatomi State Park in a group campsite with a communal fire pit. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are conveniently located nearby, and showers are available in the family campground area. Potawatomi is also a great base for exploring the rest of Door County — whether you want to hike straight from camp, bike along the park roads and trails, head to the beach, paddle on the water, or jump in the car and explore the peninsula. We’ll have activities planned for each day, with the exact agenda finalized closer to the trip. Expect a mix of group activities and plenty of flexibility to do your own thing.

TENTATIVE WEEKEND AGENDA FRIDAY — Welcome to Door County Arrivals throughout the afternoon/evening Set up camp and settle in Meet & greet around the campfire Relax, catch up, and enjoy our first evening in Door County

SATURDAY — Trails, Beaches & Water Hiking, biking, kayaking and beach time Optional small-town exploring Return to camp for a potluck dinner Campfire, drinks, stories, laughs and the usual outdoor discussions

SUNDAY — Door County Adventure Day Another full day of hiking, biking, kayaking, beaches or exploring Optional group adventure to one of Door County’s iconic attractions

MONDAY — One More Adventure Hiking, biking, beach or kayaking depending on weather and interest One last Door County stop before heading home. Pack up and return home with hopefully dirty hiking shoes, tired legs, and lots of good memories

DOOR COUNTY: PICK YOUR ADVENTURE

You definitely don't have to do everything. Door County offers enough activities to keep everyone busy, whether you're looking for a serious hike, an easy bike ride, a day on the water, a beach afternoon, or simply wandering around cute little towns.

Hiking

Potawatomi State Park You can start hiking practically from our campsite. Trails include: Ancient Shores Trail — 0.5 miles Ice Age National Scenic Trail — 2.8 miles Hemlock Trail — 2.6 miles Tower Trail — 2.6 miles https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/potawatomi/recreation/hiking

Whitefish Dunes State Park About 28 minutes from camp, Whitefish Dunes combines forest trails, huge sand dunes and an amazing Lake Michigan beach. If you want a hike followed by a swim, this is one of the best combinations in Door County. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/whitefish/recreation/hiking

Peninsula State Park About 41 minutes from camp, Peninsula State Park is one of Door County’s must-see destinations, with miles of trails, forests, shoreline and spectacular views. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/peninsula/recreation/hiking

Cave Point County Park One of Door County’s most famous natural attractions. Come for the dramatic Lake Michigan shoreline, limestone cliffs, caves and waves crashing into the rocks. The scenery is especially impressive when the lake is a little angry. Combine Cave Point with Whitefish Dunes for a great hiking and sightseeing day.

Biking Potawatomi State Park offers approximately eight miles of off-road bike trails winding through the park. You can also bike on the park roads. Parking for the bike trails is available in Parking Lot 1 near the picnic areas along the shoreline. For a bigger biking adventure, head to Peninsula State Park, where you can ride through the park while enjoying forest, shoreline and bay views. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/peninsula/recreation/biking Door County also has plenty of quiet country roads connecting charming towns, beaches, farms and wineries — perfect for those who prefer scenic cruising over serious mileage.

Kayaking & Water Adventures If you like kayaking, Door County is your playground. You can explore the shoreline from the water, paddle around caves and cliffs, or simply enjoy a peaceful afternoon on the lake. For guided trips and rentals: Whitefish Dunes: https://www.dcadventurecenter.com Peninsula State Park: https://peninsulakayakcompany.com Weather permitting, a sunset paddle would be an especially good way to end the day

Cave Point + Whitefish Dunes If you only have time for one classic Door County adventure, this is a great combination. Start with the dramatic shoreline and caves at Cave Point, then head to Whitefish Dunes for hiking, dunes, and a swim in Lake Michigan. Bring your camera, swimsuit, and hiking shoes

Door County Maritime Museum If the weather decides to remind us that this is a RAIN OR SHINE trip, head into Sturgeon Bay and check out the Door County Maritime Museum. Learn about Door County’s shipbuilding, commercial fishing, lighthouses and maritime history. It’s also a good rainy-day alternative when the trails aren't cooperating. https://dcmm.org

Sturgeon Bay Canal & Lighthouses Take a scenic drive around the Sturgeon Bay Canal and check out the historic lighthouses guarding the harbor entrance. The Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal is an important part of Door County history and one of the reasons the peninsula became such an important maritime destination.

Door County Wine Trail Time for something a little less strenuous? Door County has its own wine trail, with several wineries scattered around the peninsula. Pick a few, make a scenic driving loop, and enjoy the countryside along the way. https://www.doorcountywinetrail.com/who-we-are

Eagle Bluff Lighthouse Located inside Peninsula State Park, Eagle Bluff Lighthouse dates back to 1868 and offers beautiful views over Green Bay. It's an easy attraction to combine with a Peninsula State Park hiking or biking day. https://eagleblufflighthouse.org

Washington Island Adventure If you’ve never been to Washington Island, Labor Day weekend could be your excuse. Take the ferry from the tip of the peninsula: https://wisferry.com Once on the island, spend the day hiking, biking, exploring beaches and small roads, or simply slowing down and enjoying island life. And yes — there is a lavender farm. Visit Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm for fields of lavender, gardens and a very different side of Door County. https://www.doorcounty.com/discover/washington-island/ Washington Island is about 50 miles from our campground, so this will be a full-day adventure rather than a quick side trip.

Rock Island State Park Feeling ambitious? Take another ferry from Washington Island to Rock Island State Park https://wisferry.com/rock-island/ No cars or bikes are allowed on the island, which means you explore it the old-fashioned way: on foot. You'll find beautiful hiking trails, beaches, historic scenery, and the Pottawatomie Lighthouse — the oldest lighthouse in Wisconsin. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/rockisland This would make an excellent "big adventure" day for anyone who wants to turn the weekend into a serious island-hopping expedition.

Price: $45 The price is per person and includes a camping spot for 3 nights as well as firewood to keep the fire going for 3 nights, and charcoal for grilling food. Payment guarantees your spot. Electronic payment can be made via PayPal/Zelle/Venmo and sent to mcdzica AT gmail.com

A vehicle admission sticker is required for motor vehicles entering Wisconsin State Parks: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/admission

More information will be sent to trip goers closer to the trip, along with a detailed agenda for each day. In the meantime, post comments/questions below and happy camping!

Magda