If you’re looking for a day out in the sun, the beaches in Door County are plentiful. There are numerous sand beaches and many offer paddle board and kayak rentals, nearby playgrounds and bathrooms.
Nicolet Bay Beach – Fish Creek
Nicolet Bay Beach is located in Wisconsin’s Peninsula State Park. So, you must have a State Park Pass (or daily pass) enter. It’s a great place to enjoy a day outdoors. There is a large parking lot (it fills up quickly on busy days) or a shallow sandy bay to pull your boat up into.
What We Love
It’s nestled inside Peninsula State Park which provides plenty of other activities close by. There are paddle sport rentals, sand volleyball courts, a snack shop on site and plenty of green space to play.
Photo by: Rachel Lukas
Sister Bay Beach – Sister Bay
The Sister Bay beach offers a nice large beach, with a large pier, and plenty of clean sand for the kids to play in. There is a beautiful view of the bay and marina, a playground and changing area by the beach. There is a kiosk for renting kayaks, stand-up paddle boards & water bicycles.
What We Love
While it may be one of the busiest beaches in Door County, it’s part of what makes it so great. There will be plenty of kids to play with and you can grab a drink at any local establishment and stroll down to the beach with it. Hungry? Plenty of food options within a stone’s throw.
Whitefish Dunes – Sturgeon Bay
A mile of sandy beach makes this a really nice big beach where everybody can spread out. It’s a bit of a walk to get to the beach, but well worth it. Located really close to Cave Point Community Park, this is a must stop if you are in the area.
What We Love
Whitefish gives you that big wave Lake Michigan feel. There is plenty of of sand stretching over a mile and while the waves can be large, the water is only about waist deep 100 feet from shore.
Pebble Beach – Sister Bay
Unbeknownst to many, Schoolhouse Beach isn’t Door County’s only beach with a limestone shoreline. Pebble Beach in Sister Bay is also sand-less and provides secluded and unique setting. a friendly-reminder that taking rocks from Pebble Beach is prohibited.
What We Love
You don’t need to take the ferry to Washington Island to find a pebble beach. It’s tucked just outside Sister Bay and easy to get to.
Liberty Grove Town Park – Europe Bay
This is a great spot for a family picnic and a swim in Lake Michigan. The beach neighbors Newport State Park and there are a number picnic tables, grills, restrooms, and shaded areas to escape the sun.
What We Love
A true hidden gem. Not only is it a short bike or car ride from Timberline Cottage, it’s one of the more quiet beaches in Door County. There are way less crowds and way more room to spread out.
Egg Harbor Beach – Egg Harbor
If our family enjoys sand and water, panoramic views, swimming, building sand castles, or simply relaxing in the sun, the Egg Harbor Beach Park is for you.
What We Love
This beach has been updated over the past years that includes new restrooms, expanded parking, green area, and a playground.
Fish Creek Public Beach
While this is one of the smaller beaches in Door County, it still provides a great place to cool off. This little park is right on Main Street in Fish Creek overlooks the harbor where many boats are tied up.
What We Love
It’s never really busy and provides picturesque views of the marina and sailboats. It is conveniently located right across the street from one of our favorite coffee shops – Blue Horse Beach Cafe.
Ellison Bay Community Park & Beach
The park has a little bit of everything and is ideal for families to spend the day relaxing. Tennis courts, children’s playground, picnic tables, and BBQs along with plenty of grass to spread out a blanket and relax. There is a sandy beach for swimming.
What We Love
It’s another less busy option that is close to our cottage. Not to mention, it has some of the best sunset views in all of Door County.
Schoolhouse Beach – Washington Island
One of the most picturesque beaches in all of Wisconsin has to be Schoolhouse Beach. Located on Washington Island, the beach has no sand, but instead it’s made entirely of smooth limestone pebbles.
What We Love
It’s truly like no other beach and worth the ferry trip to Washington Island alone just to check it out.
