Q and A: NWS Proposed Improvements to Dark Sky Viewing Area
Newport Wilderness Society (NWS), the friends group of Newport State Park, is hosting a presentation/Q&A regarding NWS’s Dark Sky Viewing Area Improvement Plan for the park. Where: Newport Nature Center (inside the Visitors Center at the park entrance/Lot 1) When: Saturday, December 7; 10:30am NWS has long-recognized the need for improvements to the dark sky viewing area, located in […]
2025 First Day Hike
Please join us for this annual Wisconsin State Park tradition. Where: We will set off from Parking Lot 3 at 1:00pm. (Please plan to arrive a little before then.) The Hike: The 1.2-mile Fern Trail loop (and the recently completed boardwalk) is the focus...with an option to include Lynd Point Trail. Post-hike: We will warm up by […]
Candlelight Ski-Snowshoe-Hike 2025
Thirty-five years ago, Newport Wilderness Society started the candlelight ski tradition in Door County. Our event is always held on the second Saturday in February. Whether you prefer to ski, hike, or snowshoe, we invite you to this special event at Newport to enjoy a magical winter wonderland of candlelit forest trails, fresh air, and […]
NFL Trail-gating at Newport
Door County’s State Parks are celebrating the National Football League (NFL) Draft, which takes place in Green Bay April 24-26. The parks have released a Trail-Gating Checklist with challenges to complete at Potawatomi, Whitefish Dunes, Peninsula and Newport State Parks. Participants can turn in their completed checklists or photos of their trip for a special […]
Wildflowers and Wings Mother’s Celebration Hike
Celebrate Mom with a walk in the woods. We’ll hike the 1-mile Poetry Trail, looking for wildflowers and listening for birds. We’ll even read a few poems along the way. We will return to the Nature Center and check out the progress of the recent upgrades, enjoying some coffee, tea and baked goods. All are […]
Birding 101 with Bill and Sarah Krouse
Calling all birding enthusiasts! Join us as we take to the trails in search of migratory birds. Sarah and Bill, amateur ornithologists, will share their enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge in this easy paced hike. We will start at the Nature Center with some basics. Come prepared for the weather. Bring binoculars and field guides […]
Children’s Wildflower Scavenger Hunt
It is time to get out in the woods and see what spring treasures are being revealed! WI Master Naturalist volunteers will take you along the 1-mile Poetry Trail for this “No Pick” hunt, checking off the things we find. Some of the terrain is rocky, so it is more appropriate for ages 5 and […]
Let’s Talk Trillium!
Carpets of trillium greet us at Newport each spring. We’ll take to the woods and talk about this native wildflower, its history, habitat, and life cycle. 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 […]
Trees and Shrubs of Door County
Join arborist and horticulturist Tom Wolfe as he shares his vast knowledge about trees and shrubs...everything from the anatomy of a tree, invasive species, to trees prevalent in our area. 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. […]
Great Wisconsin Bat Count
Help our state bats by participating in this Citizen Science program. Our hibernating bats are in great danger of being wiped out because of white-nose syndrome (WNS), a white, powdery fungus on the muzzle of infected bats that causes die offs of multiple species of bats in infected hibernation sites. This state wide survey is […]
Wings of the Night – Bat Presentation
Learn all about bats, a most unique and misunderstood mammal. Bat ambassadors will talk about the bats we can expect to find in Wisconsin, their lifecycle, and threats challenging the bat population. Meet in the Nature Center. Lot 1. All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Some […]
Bluebird Nest Box Monitoring
Join the park naturalist to observe and learn about monitoring bluebird nesting boxes. The Eastern Bluebird is a longtime symbol of happiness, good health and hope in North America. After years of declining numbers, hear about their amazing success story. There will be a short walk to check out some of the active boxes, with discussion […]