DNR Approves New Parking Lot, Does Not Approve Expanded Equestrian Use At Newport State Park

STURGEON BAY, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced a final decision on a proposed variance to the management of Newport State Park in Door County.

After reviewing public input on the proposed variance, the DNR has decided not to approve the first three elements of the variance, which would have increased the total miles of authorized equestrian trails and shifted their location within the park.

The DNR has approved the fourth component of the variance, which will allow for the construction of a new parking lot in a former gravel pit along Newport Lane.

This additional parking lot will be strategically located to provide direct public access to the future equestrian trails that have been approved in the existing 2018 Northern Lake Michigan Coastal Regional Master Plan.

Newport State Park offers over 2,300 acres of forest along 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and is popular with hikers and backpack campers. The park is also popular with stargazers, as it is an internationally designated Dark Sky Place. 

The public can view the final variance document online.

Questions on the variance can be directed to:

John Pohlman, DNR Property Planner
P.O. Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707
John.Pohlman@wisconsin.gov or 608-264-6263