Door County's Peninsula Park

Last week, I wrote about a state park combined with a state trail.  But there's more to write about Peninsula State Park.

It is one of Wisconsin's busiest and may be its most complete.

There is an 18 hole golf course.  Tennis courts.  An outdoor theater (bring your own bug spray).  468 campsites and 3 group camps.  Eight miles of shoreline and a sandy beach.  Miles of hiking trails and paths for road and mountain bikes.  And a light house.

There is also a cool looking tower, but it's closed while park officials figure out how to replace it since it outlived the capacity to handle the crowds.

Eagle Bluff Lighthouse is the jewel of the park.

Open for tours and cared for by volunteers, it's worth a visit all by itself.

The eight miles of shoreline along Green Bay (the body of water not the city) offer a variety of vistas from shoreline to bluffs.

The inclusion of a road bike trail surprised me, and even more surprising is the golf course.  I can imagine some car conversations where the driver offers to play golf while the rest of the family plays in the park.

The campsites can be home for those wanting to check out the many wonders of Door County just a few miles away.

Or the camps can just be home for a few days or a week.  It can be time away from the electronic leashes many of us carry, better used for time with family or a good book.

While a day trip to Peninsula State Park won't show you everything to offer, it can give you a great taste of the park and Door County.

History, fun, natural beauty, and outdoor recreation are a powerful combination of attractions for the whole family.

Throw in orchards, farm markets, and restaurants for every taste - it's difficult to make a wrong choice when picking Peninsula State Park.