Door County’s 300 miles of shoreline is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Wisconsin. Whether you want a quiet place for a picnic or a more popular spot for the atmosphere, Door County has it. The sandy beaches are prime destinations for enjoying the beautiful Wisconsin summers. So, what are the best Door County beaches?
Door County offers some of the most beautiful beaches in Wisconsin. Head to Sturgeon Bay to experience one of its several beautiful beaches, or spend the day at Fish Creek, a designated public swimming area. There’s also Ridges, Nicolet, and more.
Here’s our list for the 11 Best Door County Beaches in Wisconsin:
- Sturgeon Bay beaches
- Fish Creek beach
- Ridges Beach
- Nicolet Beach
- Pebble Beach Door County
- Rock Island State Park
- Lakeside Park, Jacksonport
- Schoolhouse Beach
- Sister Bay Beach
- Newport Beach
- Egg Harbor Beach
Whether you are planning a fun family beach getaway or spending a few days on an almost private beach with someone special, Door County offers a lot of fabulous choices. Let’s check out the 11 best beaches in Door County, Wisconsin.
11 Best Door County Beaches, Wisconsin
1. Sturgeon Bay Beaches
Sturgeon Bay, Door County, has many fun things to do. Take your pick from various shops, restaurants, stately homes, spacious accommodations, and lots of other fun activities. There are also two boat launching ramps and plenty of outdoor sports to enjoy.
The beautiful beaches and parks in Sturgeon Bay are easily accessible. These locations are favorite venues for reunions, picnics, and other memorable events. The community takes pride in keeping its picturesque beaches clean and tidy.
2. Fish Creek Beach
With hundreds of miles of beautiful beaches, Fish Creek provides one of the best beach escapades in Door County. It’s the only public swimming beach, and there are so many activities to enjoy. It’s a favorite spot for beachgoers during summer, and there’s a jungle gym for kids and plenty of space on the beach to build castles.
From the beach, you can follow a scenic trail that will lead you downtown and have lots of opportunities to soak in the historical culture of the place. A stroll through this settler’s town will give you a peek of Fish Creek’s rich history.
World-class restaurants offer various delectable dining options. Stores are all over the village offering lots of shopping opportunities and interesting finds. The Niagara Escarpment also provides scenic spots for hikers and nature lovers.
3. Ridges Beach
Ridges Beach offers 550 feet of sandy shoreline with lots of opportunities for swimming and sunbathing. Public facilities are available at the beach, making it a go-to spot, especially during summer. The water is always shallow, which is excellent for families with kids.
Ridges Beach got its name from the numerous ridges around the bay and shoreline. The ridges show the story of how the lake rose or descended for centuries past.
Whether you’re looking forward to chasing the waves, sunbathing, or getting a good spot to watch the sunset, Ridges Beach has all these and more.
4. Nicolet Beach
In the heart of Peninsula State Park is the 944 feet sandy shoreline of Nicolet Beach. It’s one of the famous family-friendly beaches in Door County.
A day at the beach is filled with fun and outdoor adventure activities for all ages. There’s a playground for kids and volleyball courts. Various recreational equipment rentals, like kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and sailboats, are also available.
If you’re feeling hungry or thirsty, the local concession stand offers some delicious treats. Beach facilities include well-maintained restrooms and picnic facilities.
Nicolet Beach is undoubtedly the perfect place to spend a day of outdoor fun while enjoying the sun, sand, and sea breeze of Door County.
5. Pebble Beach
There are only two well-known beaches with a limestone shoreline in Door County, and Pebble Beach is one of them. The beach is sand-less; it’s full of pebbles! The Pebble Beach shoreline drops off sharply, forming a deep bowl that’s filled with limestone pebbles.
If you want to spend a peaceful, quiet day at the beach, you should include Pebble Beach on your list. It’s an out-of-the-way, secluded spot between Ephraim and Sister Bay. It’s a local favorite, but many visitors have no idea of this beach haven’s existence.
When you’re at Pebble Beach or any limestone beach in Door County, be aware that a local ordinance prohibits taking rocks from the beach. Pebble beach is now owned by the village of Sister Bay and the Door County Land Trust.
6. Rock Island State Park
Rock Island is among the most beautiful beaches in Door County. But you have to take two ferry rides to reach this beach paradise. These trips surely keep the masses away. And those who reach the island will surely tell you that Rock Island is worth the ferry rides.
Facilities at Rock Island State Park include walk-in primitive tent sites, two of which are group campsites. Visitors should camp only in designated areas. Drinking water is available, as well as vault toilets.
Because there’s limited space on the ferry, no vehicles are allowed on the island. Visitors have to bring their supplies and equipment.
If you’re planning a beach escapade at Rock Island, take note that reservations can be made up to 11 months before the date you’d like to visit. Camping season typically extends from spring through fall.
7. Lakeside Park
Lakeside Park is in the heart of Jacksonport, which is also the center of many community events, including Maifest and Cherry Fest. Every New Year’s Day, Lakeside Park hosts the Polar Bear Plunge. Indeed, Lakeside Park is open throughout the year. Easter egg hunt highlights the month of April, while on Tuesdays from June to October, the beach is buzzing as people enjoy the food and fresh produce of the Farmer’s Market. There’s always something to enjoy at the beach in whatever season you may be lucky enough to enjoy a getaway.
Lakeside Park opened in 1939, offering picturesque views of Lake Michigan. Lakeside Park has been a part of many wonderful memories, from beachside weddings to picnics to family reunions. It’s also an excellent place for kayaking, enjoying the sun’s warmth, and even midnight skinny dipping.
Lakeside Park’s 158 feet of sandy beach facilities include a boat ramp, picnic shelters, and charcoal grills. There are also well-maintained restrooms.
8. Schoolhouse Beach
Located on the northern side of Washington Island, Schoolhouse Beach is considered one of Door County’s most unique beaches. Like Pebble Beach, Schoolhouse Beach holds the distinction as “one of few smooth limestone beaches in the world.” Instead of sand, the bay’s shoreline has smooth, flat stones that glaciers and water have battered through the centuries. The smooth stones and crystal clear water is perfect for swimmers and sun worshipers alike. Schoolhouse Beach is best visited when the north wind brings warm surface water.
9. Sister Bay Beach
Sister Bay Beach continues to live up to its reputation as the “Best Playground in Door County.” It has a gazebo, picnic tables, areas for barbecue, and enough grassy space for outdoor activities and events. The water park is a family-friendly destination with 1,900 linear feet of water frontage and 600 feet of sandy beach. The park’s Village Hall has its own stage and kitchen. For the water sport enthusiasts, there are kayak and paddleboard rentals.
There is also a park near the marina. Enjoy a stroll along the waterfront any time of the day. Whether it is a game of Frisbee, concerts, jumping off the dock, swimming and splashing around the pristine waters, or shopping in the shops and galleries, there is always something for everybody.
Sister Bay is a Foodie’s Paradise. Delectable dishes and cuisine selections are available, brought about by an influx of world-class chefs and restaurants. Many people go to Sister Bay to enjoy the food and drinks. Guests can dine along the waterfront. There are also coffee shops along the beachfront for a quick caffeine fix.
10. Newport Beach
Newport Beach offers more than 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Even when high tides eat most of the sand, there’s always a sandy area that’s perfect for sun worshipers and picnickers. The cool, calm waters of Lake Michigan are also a fave spot for swimmers and outdoor water sport enthusiasts.
In the evening, people flock to Newport Beach. It’s an excellent spot to watch the brilliant colors of the sunset and the magnificent sight of the moon rising over Lake Michigan.
Newport Beach is at Newport State Park, Wisconsin’s only designated wilderness park and one of the 48 International Dark Sky Parks worldwide. The beach is close to the Europe Bay trailhead.
11. Egg Harbor Beach
One of the must-go destinations when you’re in the Village of Egg Harbor is the Village Beach at the waterfront. It’s an excellent place for families to enjoy the beach and bask under the Door County sun. The peaceful setting is so relaxing, and the spectacular views are special treats to beachgoers.
The public beach is part of the 1.2 acres of prime beachfront property acquired by the Village Board. The beach is within walking distance from downtown Egg Harbor. Its 500 feet of waterfront is the perfect spot to soak up the sun before taking a dip in the cool waters.
Egg Harbor Beach offers many facilities and amenities, including a hand boat launch ramp, playground, restrooms and changing rooms, a spacious parking area, and a paved walkway that leads from the parking lot down to the sand. There is also a kayak rental shop at the beach.
Egg Harbor Beach is also the best place to be when the sky is bathed with the brilliant colors of the sunset.
Conclusion: 11 Best Door County Beaches, Wisconsin
So what are the best door county beaches in Wisconsin? In summary, here are the top picks again:
- Sturgeon Bay beaches
- Fish Creek beach
- Ridges Beach
- Nicolet Beach
- Pebble Beach Door County
- Rock Island State Park
- Lakeside Park, Jacksonport
- Schoolhouse Beach
- Sister Bay Beach
- Newport Beach
- Egg Harbor Beach
Door County is famous for some of the most beautiful beaches in Wisconsin. Three hundred miles of shoreline offer lots of opportunities for sunbathing and swimming in the water, coupled with lots of action-packed water sports. Time spent at the beaches of Door County is always a getaway to remember. It will leave you constantly coming back for more fun and memories.