Cave Point County Park

8/22/25 - one of the MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES to visit in all of Wisconsin! Last time we visited was in late Fall and the waves were really crashing into the bluffs. This time, the water was much calmer and kids were jumping off the bluffs into the water, many people were swimming, along with a number of kayakers and paddleboarders. The weather was perfect! So many fun picture opportunities and places to explore. We stopped for 30 minutes but barely got more than 5 minutes from the parking lot because of the incredible views and photo opps. This has been added to our "MUST STOP" list for whenever we come back to Door County, hopefully soon. Would love to stay for an entire morning or afternoon, to really enjoy the water and explore the park more.

This was a great destination for a half day exploration. None of the hikes are too strenuous. We rented kayaks and paddle along the shore of Lake Michigan, and into a cave. In the cave, there are prehistoric fossils. Really cool place.

I enjoyed my time at Cave point County Park. The views were incredible. There were bathrooms, sufficient parking and spots for a picnic. Plan to stay a long time. It is such a beautiful park.

Beautiful, stunning views of cliffs and the water as you hike the trail, an easy hike overall offering many spots to go off trail and venture down to the water. Family and dog friendly- lots of folks on the trail early June. Theres a lot of picnic tables and a cool gazebo. Parking is also free. It connects to the Brachiopod trail which then connects to the dunes state park beach.

So beautiful!! Lots of lake access you can wade in the water. Very rocky but fun to climb around!

Such a beautiful place to visit! The kids had a blast swimming, and the views were absolutely spectacular. We’ll definitely be back soon.

Beautiful 😍....this is must try in Door county. Come take a few pics or enjoy a nice hike.

Beautiful park! Great views, rocks, cliffs, hiking, walking and water views. Easy to park. Takes about 2 hrs to complete path. Dog friendly!

Just a few minutes walk from the carpark straight ahead are the waves crashing into the caves are fantastic, the blue of the water very alluring, even in October the urge to jump (although I think it is now forbidden and we are way too old for those shenanigans) was strong. We took the right turn and marched along the path getting more and more rock pictures and waves for about 20 minutes and hit the beach. There were about 500 geese basking and just us. Not a single other soul. This was 10.00am. During a thunderstorm it must be spectacular/

Cave Point isn't the biggest park in the area, but it might have been my favorite. The views out onto the water along the rocky shoreline were great, and watching (and listening!) to the waves crashing and slowly shaping the rocks was both awe-inspiring and serene. It was a windy evening when I was there, and the waves were giving a good show. A walk along the trail slightly off the shore takes you through the woods (still within eyesight of the shore) and some beautiful interwoven root systems of trees at the surface. It's free for all as a county park, while the state parks in the area are not. This makes it the perfect place to venture into on a whim, or for a short period of time to take in the sights and sounds.

Beautiful views of Lake Michigan! Waves roll in like they think they are an ocean. Crashing waves into the caves are Mother Nature's best. Wow! Don't miss this one!

A good county park to visit! It is popular for jumping off the "cliffs" into Lake Michigan. There are hiking trails and picnic tables, so it is definitely a proper park. The shoreline is full of cave-like inlets and has several flat rock formations to haul out on and climb back up to jump in the lake again. Besides the jumpers, you will often see people standing on the flat rocks, closer to the water, fishing, and you may see kayakers floating by as well, since there is a launch site nearby. 36/2022

04/16/21 - On the way up to Baileys Harbor Yacht Club we had some time to kill before our 3pm Check In we stopped a Cave Point County Park. The area is gorgeous w/a rocky stone shoreline raised above the lake level. You enter into a grass covered law area which leads you to the lake where these rock formations are on the shoreline. The trail along the lake is lined w/a path strewn w/roots & stones embedded in the path. Many of the trees are precariously perched on the edge of the rock ledge w/the exposed roots as the trees cling to life. At any moment a strong wind, rain or wave could uproot the tree plunging it into the lake below. I guess that's life. At any rate it's a beautiful area definitely worth stopping at and walking along the path. I wish I lived closer so I could witness the winter wonderland of the ice encrusted shoreline. I'm jot a fan of the extreme cold but I am a fan of the extreme beauty this weather creates on the lakefront

Just a quick 2021 update! My previous review still holds true, so please see that too! In mid-September, on a nice weekday afternoon, this place was hopping. There were still some spots in the parking lot, but I think many had the same idea we did for an "off season" pandemic vacation so the crowds everywhere were much bigger than typical this time of year. Anyway, the wind was blowing which made for a great show as the waves crashed into the rocks. There are a good number of picnic tables here, so we were able to snag one without trouble for a snack with a view of the water. Definitely don't miss this free park if you're in the area! Great to combine with a trip to Whitefish Dunes.

Wow, this place is a gem of a public park.  The readings told us this was a must-do stop if you're looking for a walking trail or scenery in Door County, and I whole-heartedly agree.  You don't even have to do much walking to enjoy the stunning, rugged, and spectacular lakefront scenery here, as there is a lot packed into a relatively short stretch of trail right by their parking lot.  Just after spending about 10 minutes here, I was telling myself this place was reminiscent of the awe-inspiring natural beauty you might see in say Yosemite National Park.  It's not a Yosemite, but it's basically pretty awesome and great.  The readings also told me that the most spectacular scenery in Door County is right here, and again, I have no doubts about the truthfulness of that now. (I will add though that the Winding Road at the northern tip of the peninsula near the Washington Island ferry landing is another Door County must-see for scenery, albeit partially man-made). As others importantly mention, this park is free to boot for visitors.  This is unlike all of Wisconsin's State Parks which charge an admission for out-of-state visitors like ourselves.  This County Park is right next to the fee-based Whitefish Dunes State Park, so just look for the signs for Cave Point County Park which eventually show up as you get closer and closer to the more prominently advertised Dunes State Park. We also found after a stretch of flat and easy trail in both directions from the parking lot, the trail gets pretty rugged with rocks, roots, fallen branches, etc - and so depending on one's age and agility, some may not want to go further and twist an ankle or whatever.  I cut it short for the wife and we spent maybe an hour there, but we also saw plenty.  It's not going to happen for us, but locals that can come visit in different weather conditions and seasons must get a real treat.  So, yes I agree - this place is a must-see in Door County.

A pretty small park but it does have many interesting rock formations along the shoreline. The lake has eroded the rocks into many different caves and coves and holes. The path goes north into Whitefish Dunes State Park along a path with lots of obstacles - roots and rocks but it is flat. Same with the path south along the shore. Picnic tables and bathrooms are available. It was surprisingly crowded given the cool and cloudy weather. I am guessing that people come here to avoid paying the state park fee next door. Worth a stop.

We stopped by on our way to Fish Creek. So glad we did! A beautiful area... from the parking lot you see a few picnic benches and a gazebo. Behind this grassy area are cliffs that overlook the water. The crashing waves against the rock are an awesome thing to see. Great photo ops! It was cold in October but still worth the trip. Many trees were showing off their autumn leaves! Tip: Be careful! Slippery when wet! I took a tumble, luckily not too close to the edge! Other: Dog friendly

This is a small park area with a grassy area, picnic tables, pit toilet bathrooms, and trails along the lake. The trails should only be attempted by those who are steady on feet as there are numerous tree roots and areas close to edge of cliff without safety rails. It is a beautiful area. Parking lot fills quickly. It is free which is how we ended here rather than the adjacent state park which was an $11 fee for out of state car.

Neat place to check out for kayaking depending on the weather and hiking too. We weren't able to kayak because of the wind but could appreciate the view. There is a trail that takes you to Whitefish Dunes State Park.

Cave Point is such a cool park. We came the day after a winter storm that left the entire park with a coating of fresh snow. The views of the shoreline are remarkable. The ice that forms against the shore from the waves is picturesque. Signage leading to Cave Point was easy to follow and there are restrooms right across the road from the parking area along with the history of Cave Point park next to the parking area. We visited Sturgeon Bay for an ice fishing trip and a local told us about Cave Point. I'm so glad we made the 20min drive to experience it.

Nice park, beautiful cliffs. Informational bulletin boards about the area and how it came about. Take pictures you can't get just anywhere. Swimmers can jump off the cliffs below by the caves. Canoeing around the area gives another beautiful perspective. Plenty of parking. The road makes a big loop with easy access down to white Dunes Park and back out to Jacksonport. Not for small children, no handicap access, or for elderly with mobility issues.

Free park. Walk a bit on the trail and see dramatic rock formations on Lake Michigan. The water is so lovely and sometime dramatic waves for a lake. Some people were jumping in the water. its clear and beautiful but COLD. The public bathrooms .. well go to the restroom before you come. bathroom smell was pretty awful. Park is great place to bring the camera

A popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Cave Point Country Park is a beautiful and scenic way to spend a day in nature. There is ample parking, great hiking trails and grills for cooking out. The views from the park are breathtaking. The park and trails are dog friendly. Cave Point can get very crowded in the summer and sometimes it is hard to find parking or hike when there are so many people. As a Door County local we know when to avoid going to the park, and choose to go l after the tourist season dies down. The park is located off of highway 57 and there are plenty of signs pointing the way. Whitefish Dunes state park is right next door and it is easy to get confused when you drive in. You need a sticker for Whitefish Dunes, but do not for Cave Point. As long as we are living in Door County we will be visiting this little piece of heaven in Door County.

This park was pretty amazing for many reasons: (01) It was free. (County park = no entrance fee) (02) The views are both scenic and photogenic. (Let my pics say it all!) (03) It offers easy hiking opportunities. (04) There are hundreds of rock towers with space for you to build one. All that's left is for you to check it out for yourself!

Cave Point is a tiny county park along Lake Michigan on the Door peninsula. We were there in winter to see the magnificent ice formations along the iconic shoreline. On the eastern edge of the Door Peninsula, the big lake waves crash along the shore. Over the past couple months, trees and branches nearby have been encased in ice. Catch it at the right time and the scene is absolutely impressive. This is a completely free authentic outdoor experience. Sign

Established in 1943 this 19 acre park is kind of a hidden little gem nestled in a larger state park. There is no fee to enter this beautiful little park. This is Wisconsin seaside scenery at its finest. There are cliffs and sea caves to explore. Spend an hour and walk the trails. Be careful along side the lake's edge. It will be only a matter of time before some idiot drunk or some empty headed kid falls off the rocks and into the lake. None-the-less, this is a beautiful area. If you find yourself in Door County, take a little side trip and seek out this little gem of a park. Just don't lean over too far while enjoying the breath taking scene.

Oh how I love adventuring and hiking at this Park as drive up to Door County. It's breathtakingly beautiful, with serenity as you walk along the shore and see the waves crashing into the land and nature wave made caves along the edge of the lake. The different seasons are all spectacular, but as it get cooler make sure to bring warm clothing as their can be done cold wind when you get by the water.

Beautiful turquoise water, super fun cliff jumping! Water is chilly in early July but it was exhilarating.

This was definitely the highlight of our Wisconsin trip! My family barely did any trails, we spend most of our time down in the water. For early June the water was cold, but it was still fun to throw rocks, wade in the water, and take in the views! If you're in the area I highly recommend stopping by Cave Point County Park!

Great place for a hike, picnic and a little cliff diving. Spend a little time and look around. Lots to see and enjoy.

You won't find a beach at this park, but if you are a bit more adventurous there are a couple of spots where you can jump into Lake Michigan from "cliffs" that are between 10 and 15 feet high. It is a nice place to walk, and it offers many beautiful views of Lake Michigan. The park and views are absolutely gorgeous and not to be missed if you are exploring Door County. Although I haven't seen it for myself, I hear that winter is also a great time to check out this park as the ice formations are first rate also and not to be missed if you find yourself in Door County in the dead of winter.

This county park is an extension of the Whitefish Dunes State Park, except you don't need a park sticker to get in. The park hugs the Lake Michigan shore. The hiking path is a nit rough with tree roots runnung above ground. The views from the limestone ledge are beautiful. We came out one night at 10:00 to view the northern lights. The view was phenomenal. You could see every star in the sky as there are no lights over the lake to drown out the starlight. The place can get crowsed especially around the holidays and during the summer.

What a great place to walk along the bluff and an excellent place to capture some amazing photos. It has been one of my favorite spots to capture the four seasons.

This is one of my favorite places I have ever traveled. It's free, which is crazy because it's glorious! The views are fantastic! The hiking is beautiful! We spent an entire day exploring. Ate our picnic lunch on some flat rocks with our feet in the water. We even ventured a couple of miles down the road and Rented a kayak to go along the shoreline. It's just really a splendid place that you won't want to miss! I would go again and again if we lived in this area!

If you love being near the water and nature, go here. The parking lot is close to the path along the water, and once you are on the path you can hear the distinct sound and even feel the waves crashing underneath you into the limestone caves that have been hollowed out by centuries of this activity. If you feel sure-footed you can make your way down the bluffs to the shore and check out the neat towers of rocks perched there, or you can stay up on the path and enjoy great views of the rock formations along the shore below. There are picnic tables, fire rings and grills available as well. Cave Point County Park would make a great place for lunch or a peaceful respite along the shores of Lake Michigan.

This is a beautiful park along the Lake Michigan shoreline. There is truly something for everyone here, whether you want hike, relax, or if you are brave enough to jump off the rocks into the lake. If you have small children, the areas people swim would not be safe. It's an easy short drive from Green Bay and there is no fee to get into the park, a must do and see if you are in the area, and well worth the trip if you're not. When we were there there was a wedding ceremony going on in the gazebo, beautiful setting for a small wedding.

Mom and Dad: Kids loved playing in the rocks. Mom was scared but made it through. Beautiful...feels like being in the East Coast. Had fun building a rock tower with the kids. Loved the shoreline that featured tons of the balancing rock towers. 13 year old boy: It was the best park I've ever been. I especially liked climbing up and down the rock walls. 9 year old girl: I thought it was a great place but if you're afraid of heights it's not the best place to go to.

Was completely taken a back at how amazing this part of Lake Michigan and Door County are, especially in inclement weather conditions. I haven't felt so excited by these kinds of waves and cliffs since visiting parts of Europe. (Cinque Terre in Feb.) I think it was the highlight of our mini moon.

Cave Point Park is a great day hike, and an amazingly enjoyable visit. The hike from White fish State park is a beautiful hike, yet some what challenging do you the root bed that is the trail. One con is the lack of modern facilities. Their are facilities, just not modern and/or sanitary.

I make sure that this is a stop if I am in Door County. It is beautiful both in winter and summer. In summer, it's nice to see the waves crash against the rocks. It fun to watch people jump into the water from the higher points above the water and the people swimming. It's fun to walk along the water and do some rock skipping. In winter, there aren't as many people around due to the weather and it being during the slower season in Door County. Seeing the icicles hang above the water is pretty cool. It's cool to see the ice/snow formations on the rocks...it's always very interesting and picturesque. This is definitely a cool place to get beautiful nature pictures. ** if it is warm enough, you can take a dip in the water....which is nice.

I am soooo glad we made the trip out here! There are so many parks we could've gone to but photos other people posted of this one intrigued me. Everyone had a great time, the beauty was breathtaking. There's little in the way of safety measure but there is a sign that says 'extremely dangerous conditions' or something to that effect so there is a warning. When you have an extremely adventurous child like I do you just have to be super cautious, especially with the icy slopes by the cliffs.

A beautiful state park not far from Sturgeon Bay overlooking Lake Michigan. A fair amount of easy hiking trails are available, that along the cave shoreline being most enjoyable. If you are up for a bracing dip (we visited in June), you can find a small inlet near the parking area where you can enjoy the coolness after a short 12 foot jump! . . . after which you will likely wish to exit quickly. This park is considered by locals to be a "must see" in Door County, and I agree!

This is a good short hike with great resting stops and views. We are staying in Ephraim ...just under 30 min to get there by car... took 42 back and made stops in all the towns. The hike was great.really enjoyed the views. We were able to see people jumping in. It's a well maintained park that brings people from across the world.

This is one of the most scenic historic places in Door County. We come here twice a year to experience the change in seasons. We come for the fall colors and come later for the quiet, serene beauty. I see the growth of visitors every year since 2001. More parking added and Whitefish Dunes Park nearby makes this a great visit for photography.

But, who says the midwest isn't pretty?! This place is beautiful. I knew when planning a trip to Door County that this was top of my list of places to go to based on all of the beautiful pictures I had seen. My friends and I went on a windy day that was pretty chilly but I still just didn't want to part ways with this beautiful land. I am going to keep this short because I don't think words can do it much justice, so just take a peak at any of those pictures up above. Cliffs, rock towers, crashing waves, trails, FREE PARKING, etc. Every couple of steps I stopped to take a picture because the view from any angle of this place is breathtaking!

The previous reviews for this place on Yelp really didn't help me much. So here is some useful info about Caves Point for all the yelpers out there that want to visit this park: 1) Parking is free 2) No admission fee even though some tour books we read said it required a $2 admission fee 3) You wont find any specific address to this park so plug in "Whitefish Dunes State Park" into the GPS. Cave's Point is located right next to Whitefish Park if you keep going north (you will see signs) 4) Keep to the right of the path and drive slow. Its a narrow path (fit for one vehicle) that's shared for cars going in both directions. 5) When you get to Caves Park (facing the bay) explore on the left side. We took the road less traveled to the path that went to the right and there was nothing there. All the beauty is on the left side. 6) If the water isnt too high, definitely walk below for the best pictures and views. SO BEAUTIFUL!!!! 7) There's a contemplation path (0.5 mi long) if you need to contemplate (its next to the parking area) 8) If you attract bugs easily, bring bug spray.

Favorite place in Door County, hands down. County Park = free entrance. And it's incredible because this place is GORGEOUS. Like - advertisement gorgeous. On a sunny day you'll be transported in another world, laced with gold, green and blue and will have to use all your will power to not jump in the water right this second. Bluffs, caves, long rocky beach and pine trees. Yes, you are still in Wisconsin.

The best aspect of Cave Point County Park is the dramatic rock formation that I never seen since touring Crystal Cave near Spring Valley, Wisconsin 22 years ago. The water is tropical green in the summer. There are 70 photographs of the cliffs and shoreline I took looking very photogenic . There are many dogs to greet in the picnic area (dog park-like!). The shoreline trails leading to Whitefish Dunes State Park are full of rocks and tree roots and very photogenic worthy. The trees are gigantic and over 100 years old! Unlike the rest of Door County, Cave Point County Park has free admission and even better then Newport State Park. There is an absence of cliff jumpers, because Lake Michigan is near freezing like the Pacific Ocean!

Love coming here as a family, especially since we can go right down the road to whitefish dunes with our pups!

Ta-da! The coolest little county park we have been to. The hikes are fun and not strenuous. The sights are AWESOME! And they allow dogs!!!!!!! Plus it's free. Only downside is that parking is limited if it's a busy day.

One of my favorite places to hike. There's a path right along the water. There are lots of rocks and roots, so for us old farts, a walking stick is helpful. The dappled light shining on the rocks, foliage and tree roots is magical. It's a short hike, but I could spend the whole day here.

Gorgeous place but it was more fun when the only people who knew about it were high schoolers who went there to get drunk.

Years ago, when I first visited Cave Point County Park, I leapt from the limestone ledges of what was a coral reef millions of years ago into the seagreen waters of Lake Michigan. It was an unexpected thrill, nature's dare, and I survived. When I visited again this July, there were no cliff jumpers, maybe due to the water being super cold. I stood like a pine tree in the fading summer sun, and the beauty of this place, even though I had been there before, was still an unexpected thrill. There are three great state parks on the Door peninsula, but this free county park is the one true must-stop park for Door County visitors.

Cave Point is my favorite place in Door County. I have been going there since I was a kid. The scenery is gorgeous. The drive to the park is also lovely. I was so surprised to see how much higher the water level is than last year. So encouraging to see. I went there last year to put my sister's ashes into the lake. She always wanted to be scattered there as it was one of her favorite places on earth. Cave Point is a county park so admission is always free. Don't miss Cave Point Park if you go to Door.

Such an extraordinary sight to see! Positioned just alongside quaint towns and farmland, hubby and I were blown away by the rugged cliffsides and crashing waves that sit just past the trees.

Not often do our kids get to see the raw geologic history of our state... and they loved every minute we spent navigating the edges.

This is a great county park right next to the Whitefish Dunes State park and worth checking out! It has great views of the lake and a long-and challenging shore trail through downed trees. There is also a long trail that goes away from the shore and into the woods which was very interesting. Great park - especially for a county park!