Resources for Your Visit

Updated 9-09-24

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Newport State Park Trails

There are 26 miles of ‘silent sport’ trails in Newport (hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing).  Most Newport trail terrain is hard-pack dirt, but be prepared for sections of rocky, uneven surface. Trails are considered easy to moderate, with little elevation change.

Trails of special mention:

• Fern Trail is a flat, 1.2-mile wheelchair-accessible interpretive loop trail. More info here.
• Poetry Trail features the work of local and regional poets along its ¾-mile loop. More info here.

Approximately 14 miles of trails are open to off-road bicycles. In the winter, over 20 miles of trail are open for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. There are 12 miles of groomed and tracked trail for classical skiing and two miles are groomed for skate skiing. About five miles of trail are open for snowshoeing.

Camping Information and Reservations

Newport has 16 pack-in wilderness campsites and 1 pack-in group site, all of which must be reserved. Most are situated along or near the Lake Michigan or Europe Lake shorelines. All require anywhere from a 1- to 3.5-mile walk from the closest parking lot. Refer to the trail maps above for location of numbered sites (1-16), group site (G) and 1 non-reservable, first-come-first-served bike-only campsite (B).

Amenities: All sites have a fire ring with an adjustable grill, a steel lock box for storage, and 1 or 2 Leopold (wood) benches. Primitive pit toilets are located nearby each site (bring your own TP). Supplies must be carried in and out from campsites. All trash must be packed out.

Water: Pack in your own water or filtration device. Water is available at the park office or seasonally from a pump near the Lot 3 shelter building. Bathrooms in Park Headquarters are open 24/7.

Firewood: Campers may use any wood that is dead and down. It is illegal and unethical to cut wood from live trees. Firewood is not provided or sold at the park. It may be purchased from local vendors in season. Please do not bring non-local firewood into the park. Information about firewood and the risk of invasive species is here.

Reservations: Campsite reservations can be made online here or by calling 1-888-947-2757.

Dark Sky Viewing

Please see this page for complete details on how to prepare for viewing the dark sky at Newport State Park.

Picnicking

The Newport Beach Area (Parking Lot 3) offers a picnic area complete with a tables and grills, pit toilets, and a reservable shelter building near Lake Michigan. There is a seasonal water faucet.

To reserve the shelter, go to the reservation website, select ‘Day Use’, select ‘Shelter’, select ‘Newport’.

Swimming

• Swimming beach access is available in Lake Michigan at Newport Beach (Lot 3). Changing stalls are available. No lifeguards are on duty.
• Swimming is also available (Lake Michigan) at Europe Bay (access at Hotz Memorial Park). No lifeguards are on duty.
• Beach closings/advisories (Memorial Day thru Labor Day) available here.

Boating/Canoeing/Kayaking

There is no boat launch at the park.

• Kayaks may be launched into Lake Michigan from Newport Beach (Lot 3; requires a .1 mile walk to beach).
• Kayaks may also launch from Europe Bay into Lake Michigan (terminus of Europe Bay Road at Hotz Memorial Park).
• Europe Lake (shallow, 300-acre inland lake) is accessible to kayaks and small watercraft from Europe Lake Road.

Users of canoes, kayaks, or floatation devices should be aware of the wind conditions on Lake Michigan. Strong west winds can blow watercraft away from the shoreline. Small watercraft and rubber rafts require personal floatation devices.

Pets

Pets are allowed on designated trails and campsites, provided they are kept on a leash no more than 8-foot long and are under control at all times. Pets are NOT allowed in buildings, the picnic area or the swimming beach at Newport Bay. Leashed pets are allowed on the sand beach areas south of the Newport Bay swimming beach, and along Europe Bay.

Please pick up after your pet and dispose of waste properly. There are dumpsters located by the maintenance building.

Fishing

Fishing is available in Lake Michigan and Europe Lake (in the northern part of the park). Fishing licenses apply.

Hunting and Trapping

Hunting and trapping are allowed in the open areas of the park during the Wisconsin state parks hunting and trapping time frame. Trapping is not permitted in closed areas as noted on the park hunting map or within 100 yards of any designated use area, including trails. Certain trap types are restricted on state park properties. For more information on state park hunting rules, regulations and season dates, please see the DNR website here.