Guide to Whitefish Dunes State Park – Door County, Wisconsin
Whitefish Dunes State Park, located near Sturgeon Bay on the eastern side of the Door County peninsula, protects some of the most substantial sand dunes in Wisconsin. Unlike the dunes I'm used to seeing on the East Coast, these are massive forested sand dunes on the western shore of Lake Michigan.
Whitefish Dunes State Park is a day-use park with a long sandy beach, a rocky shoreline, and miles of trails, which makes it an easy addition to almost any Door County itinerary. Cave Point County Park sits inside the state park's boundaries but is run separately by Door County, and the two are often visited together. If Cave Point is already on your list, be sure to include time in your itinerary to make stops at both parks.
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My Experience at Whitefish Dunes State Park
We spent the better part of a Saturday afternoon in late September at Whitefish Dunes State Park. One thing we noticed right away was the difference in crowds: Cave Point County Park, situated inside Whitefish Dunes, was significantly busier than the state park.
We hiked a 3-mile loop connecting the Red, Yellow, and Green trails to take in the view from the top of Old Baldy. The trail is a relatively flat walk through forest until the climb up Old Baldy, which follows established boardwalks that protect the sensitive dune habitat. The view from the top was one of the best inland views of the peninsula we saw all week. The dunes were forested with white birch, balsam fir, white cedar, and Canada yew, and one of my favorite finds was Pitcher's thistle (sometimes called dune thistle), a federally protected native plant, with a few late blooms still hanging on. I'm a sucker for any and all thistle.
We didn't swim on this trip, but plenty of other visitors did, and the beach was perfect for relaxing on a warm afternoon. I was also impressed by the park's commitment to accessibility. A Mobi-Mat runs between Beach Access 1 and 2, with multiple spurs that bring visitors closer to the water.
Whitefish Dunes State Park Quick Facts
Location: 3275 Clark Lake Road, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
State park fee: A Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission pass is required. As of October 2026, Wisconsin-plate daily passes are $13 and annual stickers are $28. Out-of-state daily passes are about $16, and nonresident annual stickers are $50.
Open year-round: The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Miles of trail: About 14.5 miles of hiking trails, plus about 1.5 miles of sandy beach
Activities: Hiking, kayaking, swimming, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing
For the most up-to-date park hours, admission prices and trail status information, visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
What Makes Whitefish Dunes Special
The park covers 863 acres of forest, dunes, and Lake Michigan shoreline, and the dunes are as fragile as they are impressive. Please stay on the designated trails and boardwalk stairs to protect the rare plants and animals that live here, and resist the urge to climb the dunes, however tempting they look.
The human history here runs deep, too. Evidence points to as many as eight separate occupations, ranging from about 100 B.C. to the late 1800s. Historians believe the seasonal abundance of lake sturgeon, walleyes, lake trout, and whitefish drew people back again and again, which tells you that people have been planning their Door County trips around the fishing for a very long time. Learn more about the park's history on the DNR site.
Things to Do at Whitefish Dunes State Park
Hike to Old Baldy, the Tallest Dune in Wisconsin
Old Baldy is the park's signature climb. Rising about 93 feet above lake level, it's the tallest dune in Wisconsin, and the Red Trail leads right to it. The Red Trail is an out-and-back route of roughly 1.2 miles, but we turned it into a 3-mile loop from the main parking lot by combining the Red, Yellow, and Green trails. The loop gave us forest, dune, and shoreline scenery in one hike, covering almost all of the habitats Whitefish Dunes has to offer. It’s a primarily flat hike except for the short climb up Old Baldy, so it's easy overall. We finished in under 2 hours, including plenty of stops for photos.
Relax on the Sandy Beach
The beach is a highlight of Whitefish Dunes State Park, and if I visit Door County in the summer, I'd plan on a full afternoon here. It's a wide stretch of sand that many people consider among the best in Wisconsin, perfect for walking, wading, and swimming in Lake Michigan. We didn't have a dog with us, but we stopped by the designated dog beach to watch some very happy pups splashing in the clear water. There are restroom facilities with flush toilets a short walk from the beach as well as dedicated changing rooms.
Visit the Nature Center
The Nature Center sits near the beach and trailheads and is open year-round, with exhibits and programs run by the park naturalist. Just outside, a small observation deck overlooks the beach, which makes it a nice spot for a photo or a quick break. If you're a taxidermy fan, you'll love the selection inside.
Picnic Areas with Charcoal Grills
The park has picnic areas with charcoal grills, which makes it easy to turn a hike into a full afternoon. There's also a reservable picnic shelter overlooking Lake Michigan, next to the Nature Center. If you plan to grill, bring your own charcoal. Nothing ruins a lakeside lunch like discovering the grill has nothing to cook with.
Kayaking
Guided kayak tours run in summer, roughly May through September. Here are some options to help you plan:
Door County Adventure Center launches from the park's second beach access and requires advance booking. Their tours last about 2 hours and show you the caves and cliffs to the north and a shipwreck to the south. You'll still need a vehicle admission pass to park inside Whitefish Dunes in addition to your tour cost.
Cave Point Paddle and Pedal meets at its shop in Jacksonport, then buses you to a kayak launch located to the north of Whitefish Dunes. This tour also lasts about 2 hours but only covers the cliffs and caves. We took this tour in late September, and conditions weren't ideal, with 2- to 3-foot swells. I had a great time, but I wouldn't recommend it for first-time kayakers.
Additional tour operators are also available nearby.
The park doesn't offer individual equipment rentals, and unless you're a very experienced sea kayaker, a guided tour is a must. I can personally vouch for that after our outing.
Winter Activities
Whitefish Dunes is open year-round. When there's enough snow, the Red, Yellow, and Yellow Spur trails and part of the Green Trail are groomed for cross-country skiing. The beach and the Black, Whitefish Creek Spur, Clark Lake Spur, Winter, and Brachiopod trails are open for snowshoeing, along with a portion of the Green Trail. The Wisconsin DNR website has more details on each trail, including length and what to expect.
Use caution, and keep in mind that the ice on Lake Michigan along the park's shoreline is never safe to walk on.
Visit Cave Point County Park
Cave Point County Park sits inside the boundaries of Whitefish Dunes but is run separately by Door County. It’s known for its rocky shoreline, cliffs, and caves, and a state park vehicle admission pass isn’t needed here. We found Cave Point to be significantly less crowded on an early Sunday morning visit (around 8:30 a.m.) than it was on a Saturday afternoon. Keep this in mind if you’re hoping to get photos of the limestone cliffs without the crowds.
Support Whitefish Dunes State Park
Whitefish Dunes depends on community support. The Friends of Whitefish Dunes State Park, working with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Tribal partners, is renovating the Nature Center exhibits to better reflect the area's Indigenous heritage and connection to the land.
If you'd like to help, you can donate through Door County's State Park Challenge.
Getting to Whitefish Dunes State Park
The park entrance is off Clark Lake Road (County Highway WD). There's no access from South Cave Point Drive, so make sure your GPS routes you to Clark Lake Road, since a wrong turn here is an easy mistake. From the entrance, it's a short drive to the park office and main parking area.
Tips for Visiting Whitefish Dunes State Park
Buy your vehicle admission pass before you arrive, or use the pay station.
Stay on marked trails and stairs to protect the fragile dune environment.
Bring water, bug spray, and sunscreen.
Pair your visit with Cave Point County Park.
Check the park's website for current conditions and events before you go.
Whitefish Dunes State Park FAQs
Do you need a state park pass for Whitefish Dunes?
Yes. A Wisconsin state park vehicle admission pass is required. As of October 2026, Wisconsin-plate daily passes are $13 and annual stickers are $28. Out-of-state daily passes are about $16. A nonresident annual pass is $50. You can buy a pass online before you arrive or use the pay station at the park. A parking pass is not needed at Cave Point County Park.
What's the difference between Whitefish Dunes State Park and Cave Point County Park?
Cave Point County Park sits inside the boundaries of Whitefish Dunes State Park, but it's a separate park run by Door County. Whitefish Dunes has a long sandy beach, forested dunes, and miles of trails, while Cave Point is known for its rocky shoreline, cliffs, and caves. When we visited in late September, the Cave Point parking area was significantly more crowded than the state park lot, so if one lot is full, try the other.
How long does the Old Baldy hike take?
The Red Trail to Old Baldy is an out-and-back of about 1.2 miles. We hiked a 3-mile loop from the main parking lot combining the Red, Yellow, and Green trails, and it took less than 2 hours with plenty of stops for photos.
Is the hike to Old Baldy hard?
Not really. The trail is mostly flat through forest, with one short climb up to the top of Old Baldy on boardwalks and stairs built to protect the dune habitat. The loop option adds more distance but not much more climbing.
Can you climb the dunes at Whitefish Dunes?
Only on the designated trails and boardwalk stairs. The dunes are fragile, and the plants that live on them, including the protected Pitcher's thistle, can't survive being walked on.
Can you swim at Whitefish Dunes State Park, and are dogs allowed?
Yes, the beach is a popular spot for wading and swimming in Lake Michigan. We didn't swim, but plenty of visitors were. The park also has a designated dog beach, and we saw several dogs splashing in the clear water.
Is Whitefish Dunes accessible?
The park offers accessibility features, including a Mobi-Mat that runs between Beach Access 1 and 2, with spurs that bring you closer to the water. Additional accessible features can be found on the Wisconsin DNR website.
Can you rent a kayak at Whitefish Dunes?
No. The park doesn't offer individual rentals, and conditions on Lake Michigan can be challenging, so a guided tour is the best choice unless you're a very experienced sea kayaker. Door County Adventure Center and Cave Point Paddle and Pedal both run tours of the caves and cliffs from late spring through September. Our late-September tour had 2- to 3-foot swells, which I wouldn't recommend for first-time kayakers.
Is Whitefish Dunes open in the winter?
Yes, it's open daily year-round. When there's enough snow, the Red, Yellow, and Yellow Spur trails and part of the Green Trail are groomed for cross-country skiing, and several other trails are open for snowshoeing. Don't walk on the ice along the shoreline, since it's never safe.
Is Whitefish Dunes worth visiting?
Absolutely. In one easy hike, we saw forest, dune, and shoreline scenery, and the view from the top of Old Baldy was one of the best inland views of the peninsula we saw all week. The park is also easy to pair with Cave Point County Park, and the sandy beach, dog beach, and Nature Center give you plenty to do beyond hiking. If I visit Door County again in the summer, I'd plan a full afternoon on the beach.
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Hi, I’m Jess
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