Universe in the Park
2025-07-25 20:30 - 23:00 UTC
Join guest astronomers from UW-Madison for a presentation on astronomy. We start with a PowerPoint presentation at the shelter building then we look to the heavens through a high powered telescope to experience stars, planets and galaxies. You won’t want to miss this chance to enjoy the night skies at Wisconsin’s first International Dark Sky Park.

No seating is provided, so bring your own chairs or blankets. Flashlights or headlamps with red lenses, binoculars and bug spray are recommended also.

Meet outside the shelter building; this is about a 800-foot walk on a paved path from Lot 3.

Photo courtesy Denny Moutray

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

NWS Annual Meeting
2025-07-26 09:00 - 10:00
The Annual Meeting of the Newport Wilderness Society will be held outdoors at the park Picnic Shelter on Saturday, July 26th at 9:00am. Coffee and baked treats will be provided.

Along with reports from members of NWS Board Executive Committee and park staff, new board members will be voted onto the board by a majority of the full membership present.

All NWS members and friends are welcome to attend. We look forward to seeing you.

Nature Hike on Sugarbush Trail
2025-07-29 10:00 - 11:00
Head out with the Park Naturalist to explore the Sugarbush Trail. We will check out the old shorelines and a massive stone fence along the way.

Meet at Parking Lot 4.

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

The Secret Life of Ferns
2025-08-06 10:00 - 11:00
Beautiful, diverse, and ancient, ferns reproduce in a mysterious alteration of life forms. Join Master Naturalist and horticulturist Holly Smith as she delves into fern evolution, life cycle, reproduction, diversity, and identification.

This program is geared to adult participants. Meets at the Nature Center (Lot 1), with time at the end to look at some of the ferns at Newport.

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

The History of Rock Island
2025-08-08 10:00 - 11:00
Rock Island’s rich history started long ago, many years before it became a state park. Join Brian Grube, Park Manager of both Newport and Rock Island state parks, as he shares Rock Island’s amazing story including indigenous peoples, European explorers and settlers, the Pottawatomie Lighthouse, and the influence and vision of inventor Chester Thordarson.

Meets in the Nature Center, Lot 1.

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Beetles, Aphids, and Flies - Oh, My!
2025-08-09 13:00 - 15:30
Insects are an underappreciated, yet a very important part of our ecosystem. Retired arborist and educator Donna Danielson will help you learn more about the importance of insects, their life cycles, anatomy, and more.

We will use microscopes and magnifiers to look at them up close. Don’t worry, they will all be dead when we look at them! This program is geared toward adult participants.

Meets in the Nature Center, Lot 1.

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Universe in the Park - Perseid Meteor Shower
2025-08-12 20:30 - 23:00
‘Three Meteors’; © 2015 Denny Moutray

Join guest astronomers from UW-Madison as they present Badger Talks, a PowerPoint presentation about astronomy, and a chance to view the night skies through a high-powered telescope.

Newport State Park in Ellison Bay is the best place to view the spectacular Perseid meteor shower as it is Wisconsin’s only designated International Dark Sky Park.

No seating is available, so bring a lawn chair or blanket. Red lens flash lights or headlamps with red lamp capability are recommended; they protect night vision for you and for others who are attending.

Meet at the shelter building. (Follow paved path from Lot 3.)

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Herb Hike
2025-08-14 10:00 - 11:00
Dave LaLuzerne was born with a green spark in his heart. (Interestingly, his last name is the French word for alfalfa.) Nurtured through pharmacy school and many years as an herbal pharmacist in his own herb shop, he now finds his passion is educating people about the numerous and wondrous ways to use herbs for our health and well-being.

Door County has a wealth of herbs that can be beneficial to your health and well-being. This walk will explore the herbs in our local environment. Learn how the plants that flourish in this climate can help you flourish as well.

Meet at the Nature Center, Lot 1.

Juniper Field

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Fossil Finds: Geology Bingo Drop-in Program
2025-08-15 10:00 - 11:30
Fossils found by Master Naturalist Mary O’Grady near Newport

Door County’s rich geologic history is written in the rocks, just waiting to be discovered.

Join us this self-paced geology/fossil Bingo game. Search for fossils in the rocks along the beach area, then bring your check list back to the table in the picnic area. There will be prizes!

Park in Lot 3 and look for us in the picnic area.

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Campfire Fun with Park Staff
2025-08-16 16:00 - 18:00
We apologize. This event had to be cancelled.

The staff at Newport will be gathering around the campfire and sharing their best pudgy pie recipes. There will be some pie irons for you to try your hand at making one or bring your own! Ingredients for staff’s favorite recipes will be supplied.

Meets at the fire ring by the shelter building, a short walk from Lot 3.

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Monarch Madness
2025-08-19 10:00 - 11:00
We apologize. This event had to be cancelled.

Join Beth Bartoli, Newport’s park naturalist, on a visit to the monarch nursery, seeing them at their various stages of growth. You will learn about their amazing life cycle. Find out about Newport’s Monarch Monitoring site.

Meet in the Nature Center (Lot 1).

Finding Monarch eggs on milkweed

Monarch eggs on milkweed

Releasing a Monarch

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Star Gazing at the Dark Sky Park
2025-08-25 21:00 - 23:00
**IMPORTANT: This event will be held on August 25 OR August 26, depending on weather/viewing conditions.**

Join us at Wisconsin’s only designated dark sky park for a night of star gazing. There will be telescopes and other equipment set up with some of Door County’s best amateur astronomers on hand to point out some highlights of the night sky.

You are welcome to bring your own telescope and/or binoculars. Flashlights/headlamps with red lens covers are recommended. Although volunteers will be on hand to assist you, it is always a good idea to come during day time hours to familiarize yourself with the area first. There is no seating available, so bring your own chairs and/or blankets.

Park at Lot 3 and follow the marked path.

As conditions are unpredictable, the date for this program will be decided as weather conditions are assessed. Check with the park office or the NWS Facebook page for updates. This program will be cancelled if viewing conditions are poor.

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Coffee on the Beach
2025-08-30 08:30 - 09:30
This is a NWS Wilderness Days Event

What a great way to start your day with a hot cup of locally roasted, thoughtfully-sourced coffee on the beach area at beautiful Newport State Park. Coffee and baked treats donated by Carol Ash, NWS board member and owner of Kick Ash Coffee, Ellison Bay.

Meet at the picnic area, Lot 3.

In case of rain, this will be held at the shelter building, Lot 3.

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Newport Past and Present: Hotz Trail Tour
2025-08-30 10:00 - 11:30
This is a NWS Wilderness Days Event

WI Master Naturalist volunteers Mary O’Grady and Lynn Reuter will lead you along the Hotz Trail.

As early as the 1920’s, the trail was the original driveway going to the cabin of Ferdinand Hotz. Learn about the amazing family history and how the land he preserved became part of Newport State Park.

Meet at the parking area at the end of Europe Bay Road.

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Herb Hike
2025-08-30 11:00 - 12:00
This is a NWS Wilderness Days Event

Dave LaLuzerne was born with a green spark in his heart. (Interestingly, his last name is the French word for alfalfa.) Nurtured through pharmacy school and many years as an herbal pharmacist in his own herb shop, he now finds his passion is educating people about the numerous and wondrous ways to use herbs for our health and well-being.

Door County has a wealth of herbs that can be beneficial to your health and well-being. This walk will explore the herbs in our local environment. Learn how the plants that flourish in this climate can help you flourish as well.

Meet at the Nature Center, Lot 1.

Juniper Field

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Fungi Foray with Charlotte Lukes
2025-08-30 13:00 - 14:00
This is a NWS Wilderness Days Event

Shaggy Manes; © Roy Lukes

Door County’s mushroom expert will lead us through the fascinating world of fungi. Charlotte has been studying wild mushrooms for over 40 years and she loves to share her knowledge through classes and programs throughout Door County.

This hike is for those who want to learn about all aspects of fungi and is not intended to be an edible foraging hike. No pets please.

Meet at Lot 3.

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Yoga by the Beach
2025-08-31 08:30 - 09:30
This is a NWS Wilderness Days Event

Join instructor Sherry Seubert of Embraced by Nature for a slow hatha morning flow yoga mat class with guided meditation. We will ground to earth and reach for the sky.

Bring a yoga mat, blanket, or beach towel.

We will gather in the grassy area at Parking Lot 3 near the shelter.

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Trees and Shrubs of Door County
2025-08-31 10:00 - 11:00
This is a NWS Wilderness Days Event

Join arborist and horticulturist Tom Wolfe as he shares his vast knowledge about trees and shrubs…everything from the anatomy of a tree, to trees prevalent in our area, to invasive species

There will be plenty of time for questions. Weather permitting, we will spend some time in the woods.

Meet in the Nature Center, Lot 1.

Tom Wolfe

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

The 'Tick Talk' Doctor: Best Practices for Enjoying the WI Outdoors
2025-08-31 13:00 - 14:00
This is a NWS Wilderness Days Event

Learn about those pesky arachnids, ticks, and how to avoid their bites and the illnesses they may carry.

An informative and fun presentation on the much-maligned tick from a physician who has diagnosed and treated patients who have had many of the infections ticks can carry. Find out what you can do to prevent a tick bite and limit your exposure to Lyme disease, yet still enjoy the outdoors.

Presented by WI Master Naturalist Paula Kocken, MD (Pediatric Emergency Medicine).

Meet in the Nature Center, Lot 1.

Deer Tick

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Flora and Fauna of the Fern Trail
2025-08-31 14:30 - 15:30
This is a NWS Wilderness Days Event

Park naturalist Beth Bartoli along with Master Naturalist and horticulturist Holly Smith will be leading this easy 1.2-mile hike. We will be focusing on the end-of-August seasonal highlights along the Fern Trail.

Meet at Lot 3.

Hints of Autumn along the Fern Trail

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Ferns and Flora of Fern Trail
2025-09-12 10:00 - 11:30
Park naturalist Beth Bartoli along with Master Naturalist and horticulturist Holly Smith will be leading this easy 1.2-mile hike. We will be focusing on the early-fall highlights along the Fern Trail.

Meet at Lot 3.

Hints of Autumn along the Fern Trail

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Let's Talk Trees!
2025-09-18 10:00 - 11:30
Join arborist Donna Danielson and learn how to identify several common trees of the park as well as learn their life cycles and shared history with humans. This will be about a ½-mile walk.

Donna is retired from The Morton Arboretum where she did insect and disease research, worked in the Plant Clinic, and taught Botany for 16 years. She also teaches entomology at the College of DuPage.

Meet at the Sugarbush Trail, Lot 4.

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Autumn Solstice Celebration
2025-09-21 14:30 - 16:00
Join Marjasana Kay for a special gathering to celebrate the transition from summer to autumn. The event includes a short talk on the meaning of the solstice, interactive sharing, group voice activation, sound healing, and a gentle “Resonant Walk with the Trees.”

Please bring: a mat, blanket (optional), and dress for the weather.

Marjasana:, Marjasana is a nurse, singer, sound healer and ceremonialist from Ellison Bay. She leads nature-based work- shops including Nature Voice and Tree Songs, and brings a unique collection of earth instruments to support deep connection with the natural world.

Registration required: Max 25 persons. Call park office at 920-854-2500.

Meet at Lot 3. (In case of rain, the event will be held at the picnic shelter near Lot 3.

Gratitude Leaf Garland
2025-09-23 10:00 - 11:00
As things slow down, the fall solstice is a good time to reflect on the changing seasons and what we are grateful for.

The park naturalist will talk about the stories and legends of the equinox. There will be hands-on time to create your own gratitude leaf garland. Supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring any small natural material you would like to add or share (seeds, etc.).

Meets in the Nature Center, Lot 1.

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Star Gazing at the Dark Sky Park
2025-09-26 19:30 - 23:00
**IMPORTANT: This event will be held on Sept 26 OR Sept 27, depending on weather/viewing conditions.**

Join us at Wisconsin’s only designated dark sky park for a night of star gazing. There will be telescopes and other equipment set up with some of Door County’s best amateur astronomers on hand to point out some highlights of the night sky.

You are welcome to bring your own telescope and/or binoculars. Flashlights/headlamps with red lens covers are recommended. Although volunteers will be on hand to assist you, it is always a good idea to come during day time hours to familiarize yourself with the area first. There is no seating available, so bring your own chairs and/or blankets.

Park at Lot 3 and follow the marked path.

As conditions are unpredictable, the date for this program will be decided as weather conditions are assessed. Check with the park office or the NWS Facebook page for updates. This program will be cancelled if viewing conditions are poor.

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Forests and Windstorms with Lee Frelich
2025-10-04 14:00 - 15:00
Windstorms are a major factor influencing the structure and composition of forests. We will examine the different types of windstorms that we have in the Great Lakes region, how trees of different sizes and species respond to wind, tree mortality during severe storms, and the landscape patterns created by wind disturbance in forests. We will also discuss the recent wind damage in Newport State Park and potential for forest recovery.

Meet in the Nature Center, Lot 1.

Lee Frelich

Lee E. Frelich is Director of the University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology. He received a Ph.D. in Forest Ecology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1986. Frelich has authored 239 publications with 370 coauthors from 27 countries, including major works for Cambridge University Press and Oxford University Press. He is listed among the top 1% of all scientists in the world in the Ecology and Environment category by the Web of Science. His research has been featured in the news media over 600 times, including The New York Times, Newsweek and Washington Post. Research interests include large-scale fire and wind, earthworm invasion, and climate change in temperate and boreal forests.

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Full Moon Hike
2025-10-07 19:00 - 20:30
Join the park manager on this night hike. We’ll let our eyes adjust to the moonlight and hike the 1.75-mile Monarch Trail, watching and listening for the sights and sounds of the night.

If needed, bring a flashlight or head lamp with a red lens.

Meet at Lot 1. In case of rain, program will be cancelled.

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Celebrating National Fossil Day
2025-10-15 13:00 - 14:00
Newport fossils near park entrance

We will be exploring for fossil evidence in the rocks found at Newport.

Newport is a great place to find Silurian-era fossils, such as honeycomb coral, brachiopods, and crinoids, which are remnants of a shallow tropical sea that once covered the area over 400 million years ago. (Wisconsin was located then at 20 degrees South latitude, below the equator.)

Meet at the office building, Lot 1.

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Celebrating Bat Week
2025-10-29 13:00 - 14:30
Join Newport State Park to help us celebrate bats during Bat Week!

Participate in hands-on activities and learn how bats help us in our own backyards by eating insects, pollinating plants, and spreading seeds.

Bat Week is an annual international celebration of the role of bats in nature, and is designed to raise awareness about the need for bat conservation.

Meet at the Nature Center; Lot 1.

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500

Halloween Nature Hike
2025-10-30 10:00 - 11:00
Dead Man’s Fingers (Xylaria polymorpha); © mycowalt (Wikimedia)

Where can you find Witches Caps, Dead Man’s Fingers, Earth Tongues and Witches Butter? In the woods, of course!

Join park naturalist Beth Bartoli and fungi expert Charlotte Lukes on a search for nature’s Halloween treats.

Meet at Lot 2.

All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some programs are weather related, so check with the park if you have any questions.

Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 Ph. 920-854-2500
