STURGEON BAY — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources today announced that recent storms have damaged numerous state-managed properties, including state parks, trails, recreation areas and wildlife areas.
The damage varies across the state, ranging from minor washouts and downed trees to partial property and trail closures.
Among the hardest hit is Newport State Park in Door County, which has hundreds of downed trees across trails and campsites.
Several areas of the park are closed as staff work to assess and repair damage.
Please keep out of any closed areas and do not attempt to remove downed trees.
Campers whose reservations have been canceled have been notified.
Peninsula State Park campsites are open and reservations can be made online. HERE.
Staff are currently assessing the extent of the storm damage. The DNR asks the public to help DNR property managers by staying away from closed areas. This will keep the public safe and allow DNR staff to focus on clean-up efforts and reopening amenities for visitors to enjoy.
If you are hiking or recreating at a state-managed property and come across a downed tree or washed-out trail, please make a detailed note of the location and share that with the property staff onsite. For more information on the conditions at Wisconsin State Park System properties (state parks, forests, trails and recreation areas), visit the DNR’s Property Notices webpage. For more information on wildlife areas and other state properties, use the DNR Staff Directory to find contact information for the staff at those properties.
With tens of thousands of acres of property and thousands of miles of trails, it may take DNR staff several days to fully assess all damages. Areas damaged by recent storms will be reopened as repairs are made. An estimate of when all repairs will be completed is not available.
More specific information about closed areas of properties will be posted to each property webpage as it is available. For more information, parkgoers can select a property of interest using the DNR’s Find a Park webpage.
As a general reminder, trails and other areas will likely be muddy and wet over the next several days. Property users are reminded to proceed with caution as surfaces will be slippery and to be aware of the weather and current conditions as they prepare for their visit.
