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Door County, Wisconsin is home to nearly 300 miles of scenic shoreline making it a destination of choice for anyone seeking a getaway with beautiful coastal views. The Door Peninsula or “thumb of Wisconsin” as it is often called, is perfectly situated between Green Bay on the west and Lake Michigan on the east, making this little-known Wisconsin destination a perfect place for beach lovers. Boasting more than 50 public beaches with a wide range of beautiful features such as white sand dunes to one of the only smooth stone beaches in the entire world, Door County has some of the most beautiful beaches in the entire Midwest. As a Wisconsin local, I love to vacation in Door County and it’s become a family favorite. We love a good day at the beach, and Door County gives us endless options. In today’s post, I will share with you our picks for the best beaches in Door County. Let me help you plan the best beachy getaway to the Door peninsula!
Egg Harbor Beach is one of the most idyllic and family-friendly beaches in all of Door County, offering 500 feet of stunning waterfront. Egg Harbor beach has it all, including a beautiful sandy beach, expanded playground and parking area, kayak rentals, restroom and changing area and updated seating. Egg Harbor Beach is one of my favorite places in Door County to spend a low-key day with the family, and as a bonus, the sunsets over the water here are simply stunning.
2. Whitefish Dunes Beach, Sturgeon Bay
Whitefish Dunes Beach at Whitefish Dunes State Park is a continuous mile and a half stretch of prime beachfront. Dog lovers are right at home here, as furry four-legged friends are welcome to explore the beach and go for for a swim. Whitefish Dunes Beach offers a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach for exploring and sunbathing. Swimmers, be aware: the lake waters are a bit chillier than the bay side!
Nicolet Beach, inside of Peninsula State Park, is perhaps the most well-rounded of all the Door County beaches. Nicolet offers a huge sandy beach and vast green space with picnic tables for gatherings. The beach is also one of the only ones around with concessions for sale; food trucks frequent the beach here as well. Beachgoers looking for an active day can visit the Nicolet Beach Camp Store and rent kayaks, paddleboards, inflatables and bikes.
At the tip of Door County lies Washington Island, a lesser-known spot that is home to one of the most unique beaches in the entire world. The clear waters of Schoolhouse Beach will leave visitors feeling as though they have been transported to the Caribbean. Its real claim to fame is the fact that the beach is composed almost entirely of smooth limestone. No sand; only stones. It is one of only five beaches in the entire world made up entirely of limestone. These stones are so unique that they’re actually protected by law – yes, it’s illegal to remove stones from the beach here! Schoolhouse Beach is so gorgeous it was recently named one of the most romantic places in Wisconsin by Travel + Leisure.
Ellison Bay Beach in northern Door County is a local family favorite. The beach offers a small but comfortable sandy area for sunbathers to lay out a towel and catch some rays. The area also has a playground and large grassy area as well as tennis courts, a gazebo, community center and shallow water perfect for a leisurely swim. Ellison Bay Beach is another excellent choice for those looking for a less populated spot to enjoy the Door County waterfront.
Visitors looking to enjoy a beach day while escaping the crowds will love the beaches in Newport State Park, set along 11 miles of shoreline on the Lake Michigan side. Visitors can head to Parking Lot 3 for a brief walk to the beach. Or set off like we did on the Europe Bay Trail and follow the paths down to some beautiful smaller hidden beaches along the water of Europe Lake. Newport Beach is a lovely place to hike, sunbathe, go for a swim, kayak or to spend the evening watching the night sky as Newport State Park is one of just 48 certified International Dark Sky locations in the world.
Sister Bay Beach is perhaps the most popular beach in all of Door County, with good reason. Like Nicolet, Sister Bay offers a ton of amenities and draws a big crowd. The beach at Sister Bay offers a sandy area for you to lay out in the sand, though the terrain is somewhat rockier. This is also another destination for active beachgoers interested in kayak rentals. There is also picnic space, playground area and even a dock for that begs you to jump into the refreshing waters. Sister Bay is a wonderful place to enjoy the beach for those who don’t mind sharing the day with a crowd. It’s also located right in the heart of the action in Sister Bay, so there are tons of places to grab a great lunch after the beach within walking distance.
Families with kids of all ages will find the perfect beach day at Sunset Park Beach in Sturgeon Bay. Sunset Park is a beautiful place to spend the day offering playground equipment for the kiddoes, a vast sandy beachfront area and a gradually graded waterfront, perfect for even your itty-bitty swimmers. Visitors here will love the beautiful walking paths as well as tennis courts, a pavilion and frisbee golf course.
Otumba Beach is one of the smaller beaches on this list but one of my favorites and a perfect beach for young families. On the west side of Sturgeon Bay, you can find Otumba Beach and its park with a nearby playground, a large grassy area, picnic tables and barbeque grills for picnics. Come out and play at the sandy beach or the tennis and basketball courts. The water here is shallow and perfect for kids to swim, with views of the Sturgeon Bay shipping canal on the opposite side. While not one of the larger or busier beaches, this is a smart choice for families with especially young children to help keep them safe and in sight.
Ridges Beach is located on the Lake Michigan side of Door County in Bailey’s Harbor and is a great choice for families seeking a more understated spot to explore. The beach is within walking distance of downtown Bailey’s Harbor and the Ridges Sanctuary, and it is named after the geological ridges that make up the area shoreline. The beach here is about 550 feet of waterfront that is generally shallow and well suited to young children. The beach amenities aren’t quite as extensive, but there are restrooms, picnic tables for visitors and nearby parking. Ridges Beach is also a beautiful place to watch the sunrise over Lake Michigan, and it a great spot for kite surfers and kiteboarders.
Fish Creek is known for many things, but beaches are not necessarily at the top of the list. However, Fish Creek Beach does have a lovely swimming beach that offers a nice spot for sunset viewing or watching the boats near downtown. The area was recently updated and now has an expanded shoreline and new bathrooms, however those looking for a sandy beach will likely want to look elsewhere as much of it has eroded with high water levels.
One of the best kept secrets in Door County is Sand Bay Beach and Town Park in Liberty Grove. This beach is still relatively unknown, but it is a lovely place to take in the beach views, hidden away from the crowds. The beach does have a large grassy area with picnic tables, grills and playground equipment. This shallow sandy beach is great for swimming and has public facilities on site. Sand Bay Beach doesn’t have the most extensive sandy beach but it’s still a sparkling Door County gem.
If you’re in the market for a no-frills beach away from it all, then head to Haines Beach, just 15 minutes south of the heart of Sturgeon Bay. Haines Beach has a considerably large public beach area with shallow water for swimming and a small picnic area and little else. Haines Beach is great for enjoying beach views without the traditional ruckus of a busy beach.
14. Sand Dune Beach, Washington Island
For a beach that stands out among the rest, head to Sand Dune Beach on Washington Island. To get to the beach, visitors should be prepared to trek up the white sand dunes. It’s a bit of a workout to get to the beach, but well worth it. This beach is simple and quaint, without many of the amenities offered by the more popular beaches, but I love the peace and calm here that is hard to find elsewhere in Door County. This is one of the most beautiful places to get lost on the beach in Door County.
Have you visited any of these gorgeous beaches in Door County, Wisconsin? Drop me a comment and tell me about your favorite Door County beaches!