Beaches in Door County

Discover the Beaches of Door County

Spending time in the sun and playing in the water are some of the top summer to-dos. Luckily, Door County's beaches are numerous and diverse, and they can be found along both the east and west shorelines. While there are more than 50 beaches here, these are some of the must-visit bayside, lakeside, and island beaches you'll want to explore when you're in the county.

Bayside Beaches in Door County

Nicolet Bay Beach, Fish Creek 

Within the picturesque Peninsula State Park is Nicolet Bay Beach, beckoning visitors with its stunning 944-foot sandy shoreline. One of the best Door County beach destinations, Nicolet Bay Beach is a favorite spot for campers and park visitors with its pristine natural beauty and array of convenient amenities, including restrooms and picnic facilities, a snack bar, a camp store, bike and boat rentals, and a charming playground, 
paddle sport rentals, and sand volleyball courts, suitable for 
all-day adventures. 

Sister Bay Beach, Sister Bay

Sister Bay's magnificent public beach is a waterfront paradise and is the largest beach and beachfront park in Door County. This expansive waterside park boasts an impressive 1,900 linear feet of continuous waterfront, inviting visitors to revel in its 600 feet of soft sand beach. The park's allure knows no bounds, from the "Best Playground in Door County" and a charming gazebo to barbecues and picnic tables set against the backdrop of large grassy areas. Adventurers can explore the tranquil waters adjacent to the marina on kayak and paddleboard rentals. If relaxation is your goal, bask in the beauty of the swim pier, swim raft, and kayak launch, perfectly complemented by the beach's performance pavilion, offering an excellent vantage point for witnessing breathtaking sunsets.

Ephraim Beach, Ephraim

Eagle Harbor and the bluffs of Peninsula State Park are iconic landscapes in Door County, and Ephraim Beach is at the center of it all. With its soft sandy shores and inviting waters, this 175-foot sandy haven offers an alluring getaway for locals and visitors alike. Its untouched charm and seclusion make for a private island-like getaway. You can bring your water equipment and snacks to savor the natural beauty and peaceful ambiance of this Door County beach. Free parking and convenient bike racks make for easy beach access, with charming downtown Ephraim a stone's throw away, offering an array of delicious dining options to complement the beach experience.

Egg Harbor Beach, Egg Harbor

Egg Harbor Beach epitomizes a calm and convenient sunny day oasis within a protected harbor. Located near the charming Village of Egg Harbor, just a short walk from downtown, visitors can bask in the sun along 500 feet of waterfront before taking a refreshing dip in the serene harbor waters. As the sun sets, the beach becomes a canvas for brilliantly colored sunsets, providing a breathtaking backdrop to end the day on a high note. Kayak rentals and a nearby hand boat launch invite exploration on the gentle waters. The beach has meticulously designed amenities, including restrooms, expanded parking, a grassy area, a playground, an accessible, paved pathway leading to the sandy shores, and ADA accessibility to the water's edge, ensuring an enjoyable experience for all.  

Otumba Park Beach, Sturgeon Bay

Otumba Park, located on the west side of Sturgeon Bay, is a gem for visitors seeking a picturesque and accessible beach experience. Spanning three acres, this waterfront park's standout feature is the Mobi-mat, a 5-foot-wide, rubberized walkway that stretches from the pavement to the water, providing easy access for people with walkers and wheelchairs. The whole family will enjoy the playground, lighted tennis and basketball courts, kayak and canoe launch, grills, and a picnic shelter 
with restrooms.

Fish Creek Beach, Fish Creek

Fish Creek Beach is the perfect park for summer fun, offering a delightful blend of relaxation and recreation. Situated in the heart of Fish Creek, this public swimming area features a beautiful sand beach and a viewing dock, providing ample space for sunbathing, swimming, and taking in scenic views. The park's modern bathhouse, equipped with spacious bathrooms and changing rooms, ensures convenience and comfort for all beachgoers. Additional amenities like a water bottle fill-up station and a foot-washing station make it easy to stay refreshed throughout the day.

Frank Murphy Park, Egg Harbor

A short walk from downtown Egg Harbor is Frank Murphy Park, which spans approximately fourteen acres. This park's unique attractions include a picturesque sand beach, a dock, and a boat launch along the stunning shores of Green Bay, making it an ideal spot for swimming, boating, and fishing. Families and friends can spend a whole day here with a playground, a volleyball court, a picnic area, and a pavilion with restrooms. Murphy Park has also been the base for the annual Door County Triathlon since 2005, attracting athletes and spectators for a weekend of excitement in late July. Whether you want to relax by the water, engage in recreational activities, or participate in local events, Frank E. Murphy County Park offers something 
for everyone.

Lakeside Beaches in Door County

Ridges Beach, Baileys Harbor

Ridges Beach is a delightful gem within Ridges County Park in Baileys Harbor. Families flock here for the shallow waters and sandbars, perfect for little ones to splash around and play. For those seeking adventure, Ridges Beach is a go-to spot for kiteboarders, where the wind and waves provide the perfect stage for exhilarating kiteboarding sessions. A stroll from downtown Baileys Harbor leads you to this coastal retreat, conveniently located near charming restaurants and The Ridges Sanctuary, beckoning explorers to immerse themselves in the great outdoors. With ample parking, picnic areas, benches, and restrooms, it's the perfect place to spend a day.

Newport State Park Beach, Ellison Bay

Tucked away in the northern expanse of Newport State Park, the breathtaking Newport Beach beckons with 11 miles of untouched Lake Michigan water access. Those willing to explore can find charming shorelines and sandy areas perfect for sunbathing and picnicking. Determined explorers who follow the weaving trails through the woods are rewarded with hidden sandy enclaves that adorn the sparkling waters. Newport Beach's allure extends well into the evening, offering a spectacle of its own. While most gather on the bay side to witness the sunset, Newport Beach presents a captivating sight as the moon rises over Lake Michigan.

Sand Bay Beach, Sister Bay

Sand Bay Beach on the tranquil lakeside of Liberty Grove is within the scenic Sand Bay Town Park. As you approach the beach, a long wooden boardwalk leads you through the lush grass, guiding you to a wooden viewing platform that reveals the gentle curve of the sandy shoreline. The versatile and relatively low-traffic waterfront promises an idyllic escape for all beachgoers, whether you seek energetic warm-weather activities or a peaceful summer read under the sun. A sprawling grassy area is adorned with playground equipment, grills, and picnic tables, providing the perfect space for kids to play. The shallow, sandy-bottomed water invites you to swim or paddle. But the allure of Sand Bay Beach doesn't end with the daylight; it's also renowned as a prime spot for stargazing and meteor shower sightings after the sun sets.

Whitefish Dunes Beach, Sturgeon Bay

Whitefish Dunes Beach is a captivating oasis near Sturgeon Bay on the glistening shores of Lake Michigan within Whitefish Dunes State Park. Often called one of the best beaches in Wisconsin, this mile-long, sandy beach is a paradise for beachgoers. While swimming in the refreshing waters is a highlight, visitors can also revel in the park's scenic trails — the dunes are constantly shaping the shoreline, making for a great place to take a long walk on the beach — while the boardwalk, nature center, boat launch, fishing pier, playground, volleyball courts and picnic areas give this park extra appeal ensuring a day filled with adventure and relaxation. Accessibility is a priority at Whitefish Dunes State Park, with facilities designed to accommodate all visitors. The sand swim beach boasts three access points, with one being ADA accessible and the other two accessible via stairs leading to the shore. Furry friends are not left out either, as dogs have their designated beach area to make a splash in the lake.

Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Nature Preserve Beach, Sturgeon Bay

Located on the eastern shore of Door County along Lake Michigan, the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Nature Preserve Beach offers breathtaking views of crystal-clear waters and a pristine sandy shoreline. Although the water may be cooler than the Green Bay side early in the season, it provides a refreshing escape on hot summer days. As a local favorite, this beach is celebrated for its location on land managed by the Door County Land Trust, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the its natural landscapes and scenic vistas. This ensures that the beach remains undeveloped and accessible to the public.

Island Beaches

Schoolhouse Beach, Washington Island

Forget about sandy shores; instead, be prepared to walk on smooth limestone rocks that caress your feet with each step at Schoolhouse Beach. Located on Wisconsin's enchanting Washington Island, this is one of only five beaches of its kind worldwide. Its charm lies in its peculiar landscape, with glacier-polished rocks scattered across the shoreline, each a geological treasure waiting to be admired and found along the Niagara Escarpment. While swimming in the clear waters and sunbathing are popular pastimes, visitors often find delight in building cairns and whimsical sculptures with the smooth stones or attempting to skip them across the water's surface. However, souvenir hunters, beware! The allure of these unique rocks has led to a conservation effort, and removing them now incurs a steep fine. Schoolhouse Beach is an ideal destination whether you're seeking a sand-free swimming experience, a place to capture breathtaking photos, or an opportunity to immerse yourself in natural wonders.

Rock Island State Park, Rock Island

Accessible by ferry from Washington Island, Rock Island State Park offers a unique and primitive island experience on Lake Michigan. This distinctive park is home to the historic Pottawatomie Lighthouse historic stone buildings and one of the most beautiful sand beaches in Door County. Rock Island's pristine beach is perfect for swimming (avoid the area near the boat dock), and many island visitors enjoy swimming from the cobble shores near their rustic, walk-in campsites. Be aware this island is vehicle-free and makes for a peaceful retreat for nature lovers and adventurers alike.

Before you head out to the shores and beaches of Door County, remember to Leave No Trace. From sticking to the trails and taking out your trash, when you leave it as you found it, you’re protecting our environment for generations to come.

If you’re still trying to decide which beach is right for you, check out our Beaches of Door County video series to learn more and help you choose where to spend a summer day soaking in the sun and playing in the water.