Newport State Park
Newport State Park is Wisconsin’s only wilderness state park and first International Dark Sky Park—with 16 backpack-only campsites, 30 miles of trails, and 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline!
⚠️ Storm Damage (Aug 2025): Campsites 6-13, Ridge Trail, and Rowleys Bay Trail CLOSED indefinitely. Sites 1-5 and 14-16 remain open.
Dark Sky Park
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌌 Designation | WI’s first IDA Dark Sky Park (2017) |
| 🔦 Tips | Red-filtered flashlights only! |
| 🌅 Best Viewing | No artificial lighting—arrive early! |
Backpack Camping
ALL 16 sites are hike-in (0.5–3 miles). Carry in everything. No car camping!
Hiking Trails
- 📍 Fern Trail: 1.2mi wheelchair-accessible
- 📖 Poetry Trail: ¾mi with local poets’ works
- 🦋 Monarch Trail: 1.75mi meadow loop
FAQ
Can I drive to my campsite?
No! All sites are hike-in or bike-in only. This is a wilderness park!
🌌 Wisconsin’s Dark Sky Paradise
Reserve at WI State Parks.
Location & Getting There
Newport State Park is located in Wisconsin. The park’s coordinates are 45.2350, -86.9941. Check the park’s official website or your state parks app for detailed driving directions and GPS navigation tips.
Quick Facts
- Location: Wisconsin
- Coordinates: 45.2350, -86.9941
- Activities: Hiking, Camping, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing
- Pets: Allowed on leash in most areas (check local rules)
Things to Do
Wisconsin parks highlight Great Lakes shorelines, river bluffs, Northwoods forests, and glacial landscapes. Activities include beach swimming, hiking the Ice Age Trail, fishing, camping, kayaking Great Lakes sea caves, mountain biking, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.
Best Time to Visit
Summer is peak for lake recreation. Fall foliage peaks late September in northern parks. Winter offers excellent snow sports. Spring can be wet and muddy but offers great fishing.
Visitor Tips
Vehicle sticker required ($28/year residents, $38 non-residents). Devil’s Lake and Peninsula campgrounds book out for summer by January. Ticks prevalent spring through fall.
Explore More Wisconsin State Parks
Newport State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Wisconsin. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Wisconsin guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
