Newport Wilderness Days: Beach, Sugarbush Trail, Trees/Shrubs, Fossil Finds, Campfire Fun

Saturday, September 5, 2026, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Description

Join us for Newport Wilderness Days on Saturday Sept. 5 with the following activities: Coffee by the Beach, Sugarbush Trail. Past and Present, Trees and Shrubs of Door County, Fossil Finds; The Story in the Rocks and Campfire Fun with Park Staff.

8:30 a.m. Coffee by the Beach: What a great way to start your day with a hot cup of locally roasted, thoughtfully sourced Kick Ash coffee. Enjoy the beach area of beautiful Newport State Park. Meet at the picnic area, Lot 3. In case of rain, this will be held at the shelter building, Lot 3.
10 a.m. Sugarbush Trail. Past and Present: WI Master Naturalists and NWS volunteers Mary O’Grady and Lynn Reuter will take you back in time walking the Sugarbush Trail. Imagine the land clear cut of trees then reworked as farms. You’ll learn how the forest recovered and is still recovering today. Meet at Lot 4.
11 a.m. Trees and Shrubs of Door County: Join arborist and horticulturist Tom Wolfe as he shares his vast knowledge about the trees and shrubs that make up Door County’s landscape. Learn about some of the invasive species that pose a threat to native plants and trees. Weather permitting, there may be some time spent in the woods. Meet in the Nature Center, Lot 1.
1 p.m. Fossil Finds: The Story in the Rocks What are fossils and what do they look like at Newport? How are fossils formed? How did they get here? Get answers to these questions and more from our favorite rockhound and member of Newport’s staff, Elise Palecek, who will take you on a geologic journey through time. There will be plenty of fossils to check out. Meet in the Nature Center, Lot 1.
3-4 p.m. Campfire Fun with Park Staff: The staff at Newport will be gathering around the campfire and sharing their best pudgy pie recipes. Ingredients for staff’s favorite recipes will be on hand so you can have a sample. There will be some pie irons for you to try your hand at making one or bring your own! Meets at the fire ring by to the shelter building, a short walk from Lot 3.

This event is weather-dependent.

Group/Program Hosting: Newport Wilderness Society
Property & Event Location: Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 - Shelter building, near Lot 3.
Event Contact: Beth Bartoli, beth.bartoli@wisconsin.gov, 920-854-2500