Newport State Park
Ellison Bay, WI
Newport State Park, on the Lake Michigan side of northern Door County, is Wisconsin's only designated wilderness park and an International Dark Sky Park. It has 11 miles of shoreline, including sandy beaches and rocky points around Newport Bay and Europe Bay. There's no car camping here, only hike-in and paddle-in sites.
Wild shoreline and dark skies, though it takes walking to reach the best beaches.
How we score beachesStay after dark for the stars. The park is one of the darkest places in the Midwest.
A Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker is required.
Trails lead from the lot to the beaches; some walks are long.
Summer nights are best for stargazing. Winter brings cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
More Great Lakes beaches
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Freshwater Lake Michigan surf below towering sand dunes, some over 400 feet tall, with water clear enough to rival a coastline and a hike back up the dune to burn it off.
New Buffalo City Beach
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Warren Dunes State Park
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