Wisconsin boasts some of the most beautiful and enchanting state parks in the whole of America.
Covering more than 60,570 acres, and receiving over 20 million visitors every year, its 66 state parks collectively showcase sensational landscapes of imposing mountains, rushing waterfalls, raging rivers, stunning lakes, pretty meadows and lush woodland.
For those living in or around Green Bay these state parks provide plenty of opportunity for outdoor recreational activities like swimming, hiking, boating and camping.
They also give you a fabulous chance to learn about nature and conversation too, as well as appreciate the beauty of the world we live in.
When the pressures of city life get too much, these state parks are the perfect place to head to for a bit of rest and relaxation.
But with so many to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to go. That is why we have come up with this selection of 9 wonderful state parks near Green Bay to give you some inspiration.
Map of State Parks Near Green Bay WI
Here is a map of the Wisconsin state parks covered in this post:
List of State Parks Near Green Bay
The 9 state parks showcased below are all situated within a couple of hours drive from the city. All of them are excellent destinations for day trips. But they also have very good camping facilities too.
1. Lost Dauphin State Park
Distance from Green Bay: about 10 miles southwest of Green Bay (straight-line).
Location: 2967 Whistling Wind Drive, Town of Lawrence, Wisconsin 54115
Lost Dauphin State Park is a former state park in Brown County, Wisconsin.
Highlights associated with Lost Dauphin State Park include river access, seasonal wildflowers, and wildlife viewing.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include hiking trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
See our full Lost Dauphin State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
2. High Cliff State Park
Distance from Green Bay: about 28 miles southwest of Green Bay (straight-line).
Location: N7630 State Park Rd, Sherwood, WI 54169
High Cliff State Park has the distinction of being the only state-owned recreational area around Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin’s largest lake.
The 1,187-acre park is situated a 40 minute drive south from Green Bay. It takes its name from the magnificent limestone cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment, which runs parallel to Lake Winnebago’s eastern shore, and is notable for the impressive 12-foot statue of the Winnebago Indian Chief Red Bird. Which stands imperiously on a high granite rock that overlooks the lake.
An excellent spot for boating, fishing and hiking the lake also provides plenty of fabulous photograph opportunities too.
For those who want to camp here the park features a family campground that hosts 112 sites as well as eight group campsites.
They even have accessible cabins for those with disabilities, in addition to a pet-friendly facility.
High Cliff State Park – The Complete Guide – Updated 2025.
Highlights associated with High Cliff State Park include waterfall scenery, lake recreation, and river access.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground and hiking trails.
See our full High Cliff State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
3. Point Beach State Forest
Distance from Green Bay: about 32 miles southeast of Green Bay (straight-line).
Location: Two Rivers, WI
Point Beach State Forest is a 2,903-acre (1,175 ha) Wisconsin state forest near Two Rivers, Wisconsin in Manitowoc County.
Highlights associated with Point Beach State Forest include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Point Beach State Forest guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
4. Copper Culture State Park
Distance from Green Bay: about 36 miles north of Green Bay (straight-line).
Location: Oconto, WI
Copper Culture State Park covers 42 acres in Oconto County, Wisconsin.
Highlights associated with Copper Culture State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground.
See our full Copper Culture State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
5. Potawatomi State Park
Distance from Green Bay: about 38 miles northeast of Green Bay (straight-line).
Location: 3740 Park Dr, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Beautifully positioned on the shore of Sturgeon Bay, Potawatomi State Park features 1225 stunning acres of steep slopes, rolling hills and breathtaking rugged limestone cliffs.
Located a 45 minute drive northeast from Green Bay – in a bay within a bay – the park was established in 1928.
A lovely area to explore on foot, or by kayak, it has lots of trails and waterways dotted around the region.
The main campground here offers 123 sites, with 40 of them being set up with electricity. In addition there are also four group sites that can house 30 people, as well as a cabin by the bay in the south campground, which was designed by, and is set up for, people with disabilities.
Featuring two hospital beds, as well as a full sized sofa bed, a wheel-in shower, air conditioning, and a low benchtop with a refrigerator, microwave and stove, it offers an excellent standard of facilities for them, which many other campgrounds do not deliver.
Potawatomi State Park is a 1,225-acre (496 ha) Wisconsin state park northwest of the city of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin in the Town of Nasewaupee.
Highlights associated with Potawatomi State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Potawatomi State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
6. Fischer Creek State Recreation Area
Distance from Green Bay: about 42 miles south of Green Bay (straight-line).
Location: Centerville Road, Town of Centerville, Wisconsin
Fischer Creek State Recreation Area is a state park unit of Wisconsin, United States.
Highlights associated with Fischer Creek State Recreation Area include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include hiking trails and a marina.
See our full Fischer Creek State Recreation Area guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
7. Governor Thompson State Park
Distance from Green Bay: about 58 miles north of Green Bay (straight-line).
Location: N10008 Paust Ln, Crivitz, WI 54114
Boasting more than 2,800 acres of woods, the Governor Thompson State Park is a fabulous spot for those who love hiking and exploring.
Situated about a 75 minute drive north of Green Bay, the park has a number of trails that are can be explored on foot – or skis, in the winter.
Blessed with 6 miles of shoreline on the Caldron Falls Flowage, the area is also very close to the Peshtigo River, which is a popular destination for canoeing, kayaking and fly-fishing.
There is also a lovely beach here which is good for sunbathing and swimming, while the overall atmosphere is tranquil and relaxed.
A family campground is located on the northern side of the park, and accommodates 100 sites for tents, campers or RVs, across three different loops.
There are also three boat-in campsites here too, as well as a number of vault toilets and water fountains dotted throughout the campground.
Governor Thompson State Park is a 2,800-acre (1,133 ha) state park in Wisconsin, United States, 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Crivitz.
Highlights associated with Governor Thompson State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Governor Thompson State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
8. Peninsula State Park
Distance from Green Bay: about 59 miles northeast of Green Bay (straight-line).
Location: 9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI 54212
Reached via a 75 minute drive north from the city, the Peninsula State Park boasts eight scintillating miles of Green Bay shoreline within its 3,776-acre limits.
Considered by some to be one of the most complete state parks in Wisconsin, Peninsula boasts a wonderful sandy beach, an 18 hole golf course, a historic lighthouse and several miles of hiking and biking trails.
It also runs a theater in the summer and has both a public boat launch, and a pier, that offers terrific opportunities for fishing. In addition there is playground equipment for the kids and a general camp store for all your basic supplies too.
Accommodating five campgrounds that between them house 468 family sites, the park also features three group campsites for tent camping.
Peninsula State Park is a 3,776-acre (1,528 ha) Wisconsin state park with eight miles (13 km) of Green Bay shoreline in Door County.
Highlights associated with Peninsula State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
See our full Peninsula State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
9. Hartman Creek State Park
Distance from Green Bay: about 61 miles west of Green Bay (straight-line).
Location: N2480 Hartman Creek Rd, Waupaca, WI 54981
Situated on the picturesque Chain O’ Lakes, Hartman Creek State Park is a fabulous 1,417-acre state park that is located near the town of Waupaca.
It will take you about 75 minutes to drive there from Green Bay, but once you arrive you will be able to enjoy boating and swimming at the stunning crystal-clear Marl Lake.
Throughout the state park there are a number of wonderful trails – including the Ice Age National Scenic Trail – that you can explore on foot, via horseback or mountain bike. You will also find plenty of excellent spots for fishing, as well as the Hellestad House log cabin, and four picnic areas too.
The park also has a family campground with 103 sites, as well as five group camping sites. These are located in either a red pine forest, or an old apple orchard. Both of which provide scenic settings.
Hartman Creek State Park is a 1,417-acre (573 ha) Wisconsin state park near Waupaca, Wisconsin, United States.
Highlights associated with Hartman Creek State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Hartman Creek State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
