September 3-7, 2025; Group camping at Potawatomi State Park and kayak paddling around Door County.
DAYTRIPS
Daytrip launch locations, venues and timing will be planned each evening and posted here. For example purposes, the 2024 paddle venues follow.
- Wednesday: Launched from Shoreline Boat Launch in Potawatomi State Park; paddled across Sawyer Bay into Sturgeon Bay then into Green Bay toward Snake Island and returned.
- Thursday: Launched from Nicolet Bay boat launch and beach in Peninsula State Park and circumnavigated Horseshoe Island, then returned to Eagle Bluff and followed the shoreline back. (Rain and threatening weather.)
- Friday: Launched beneath the Hwy 42 bridge in Sturgeon Bay; one group paddled through the ship channel to the lighthouse on Lake Michigan; the other paddled through Sturgeon Bay through the shipyards and returned.
- Saturday: Launched from Bailey’s Harbor Ridges County Park; toured the shipwrecks and returned across the bay and back along the shoreline.
- Sunday: Launched from Shoreline Boat Launch in Potawatomi State Park and paddled to Bullhead Point in Sturgeon Bay to tour local shipwrecks.
Miles: Varies each day
Challenges: Weather and wave conditions; possible long paddle days; Please join one of our Practice Paddles prior to the gathering. This event is not intended for first-time paddlers due to the types of paddle conditions typical of Green Bay and Lake Michigan venues.
Camping Fees: Current NEWP Members:
- 1 or 2 nights: $TBD
- More than 2 nights; $TBD
Current ACA members from other paddling clubs are welcome for a $10 guest fee to help cover the event costs. (To join NEWP, see our membership page.) You will also need a WI State Park annual or day pass to enter and stay in the park.
Register: You MUST confirm your current ACA membership and please use the “Count Me In” button to let us know your plans for participation.
Registration coming soon, please check back later.
SAFETY FIRST
- All participants must wear a personal flotation device (PFD or life jacket) at all times while on the water.
- No alcoholic beverages are allowed on the paddle or during lunch stops.
PARTICIPANTS
- Jeff Mazanec (T)
- Angie Lent (RV-1)
Door County offers paddling destinations among the best, well, anywhere! Join us in September for camping at Potawatomi State Park’s Orchard group campsites. Enjoy kayak day trips, hiking, Ephraim ice cream trips and campfire tales with your old and new kayaking friends.
You will need to provide your own sea kayak with water-tight compartments fore and aft (sorry, no recreational kayaks or canoes), kayak gear, camping equipment and food. Participants may join us for any or all of the four reserved camping nights. Please use the “Count Me In” button below so we know you’re coming and can plan accordingly. We are assigning available camping spots on a first-come, first served basis as listed on this page.
Due to a dramatic increase in group campsite registrations for 2025, we will charge a nominal rate to cover the cost of the group campsites. (NOTE – COSTS WILL BE POSTED HERE AS SOON AS APPROVED BY NEWP’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS). This event open to all current NEWP members at the costs shown and also open to other current ACA Members for a $10 additional cost. We have reserved two group campsites for 2025, group sites C and D. Each is available for RVs, campers and tents limited to 36 people and 12 RVs or campers. Reservations are noted in the Participant list on this page, in order of reservation until we reach capacity. Other camping options for RVs or pop-up campers may be available through the State Park reservation system but be sure to register early!
Day-trippers staying elsewhere are also welcome to join us.
The Plan: Travel to Potawatomi State Park and follow park signage to the Group Campsites. Feel free to find a suitable spot for your tent on the group campsite or a spot for your RV/ camper and get setup. We’ll coordinate our paddling and social activities each day with whoever is present.
Meals and Camping: Participants are responsible for their own camping and cooking. Participants may choose to prepare meals together, or to enjoy any of the many nearby Door County dining venues. We will coordinate a group/ potluck meal Saturday evening at the Potawatomi State Park shelter.
All Potawatomi State Park rules must be followed. All participants will be expected to follow “Leave No Trace” practices. Specifically, no burning of garbage, cigarette butts or other waste is allowed in the fire area.
Questions? More details follow, or email event coordinator Jeff Mazanec
Event Coordinators: Jeff Mazanec and others will coordinate group paddling activities based on group preferences and participant abilities, wave and weather conditions.
Paddle Trip Venues and Options: Door County offers an awesome range of paddling venues on either side of the peninsula, allowing paddlers of all skill levels to select paddle routes within their abilities. As a gathering, rather than a “trip,” self-led separate and independent paddling activity may develop based on participant preferences. However, trip leaders will be designated for specific group paddles to promote group safety.
- Portage County Park, L Michigan to Sunset Park, Sturgeon Bay – Through ship canal, about 6.5 miles, one way
- Sawyer Harbor (Potawatomi State Park boat launch) to Sturgeon Bay downtown, round trip (8 miles to Door County Maritime Museum)
- Sawyer Harbor (Potawatomi State Park boat launch) to Sturgeon Bay, into Green Bay, to:
- Sherwood Point lighthouse (4 miles, round trip)
- Snake Island (12 miles, round trip)
- Bullhead Point (6.5 miles, round trip)
- Nicolet Bay (Peninsula State Park) to:
- Fish Creek (9 miles, round trip)
- Horseshoe Island harbor (2 miles, round trip)
- Horseshoe Island and Ephraim (6.5 miles, round trip)
- Rowley’s Bay
- Newport State Park campsite (7 miles, round trip)
- Mink River estuary, round trip (4 miles, round trip)
- Garrett Bay Road Boat Ramp
- Ellison Bay town park (9 miles, round trip)
- Door Bluff and Gill’s Rock (4.5 miles, round trip)
- Liberty Grove Town Park (Europe Bay)
- Plum Island (9.5 miles, round trip)
- Rowley’s Bay (7 miles, one way)
- Whitefish Bay Park to Cave Point (6 miles, round trip)
- Bailey’s Harbor shipwreck tour (Baileys Harbor Ridges Park, 4.5 miles, round trip)
- Sturgeon Bay Hwy 57 Bridge
- Ship canal to Pierhead Lighthouse (6 miles, round trip)
- Sturgeon Bay to Sunset Park (5.5 miles, round trip)
Equipment and Paddle Clothing:
- Trip leader(s) for group paddles will have final approval of all kayaks and equipment for the specific paddle venue and conditions.
- All kayaks, equipment and clothing must be suitable for Lake Michigan, Sturgeon Bay and Green Bay open water paddling. Recreational kayaks, SUPs, canoes, and kayaks with only one bulkhead are not suitable for most open water venues, although could be used on Door County inland lakes or protected bays.
- Kayaks must have flotation or bulkheads, deck-lines and be fitted with spray skirts. If the kayak does not have bulkheads the use of and knowledge of how to use sea socks is required.
- Inflatable PFDs are not acceptable for this trip.
- Lake Michigan is COLD! Bring suitable cold weather paddling gear (e.g. wetsuit, drysuit, splash jacket, gloves, etc.). Dress to confidently function in cold weather and in case of (unexpected) cold-water immersion.
- Practice self and group rescues; review the video Cold Water Boot Camp.
- Acquire and become familiar with safety equipment such as paddle floats, radios, tow ropes, spare paddle etc.
- Although night paddling is not planned, paddlers should be prepared in case a night paddle becomes necessary or desirable (Our 2020 Nicolet Bay sunset paddle was amazing!). Coast Guard rules require everyone to have a visual light source such as a laser flare or three traditional flares, a sound source (whistle) and a white light source (head lamp) to display in the presence of moving boat traffic.
Alcohol and Drugs:
- NO ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION WILL BE ALLOWED WHILE PADDLING.
- NO ILLEGAL DRUGS WILL BE ALLOWED.
Event Goal: Our goal with this event is to have a fun, safe paddling weekend on Green Bay and Lake Michigan waters. Because of the nature of open water paddling in these locations, safety will be the primary factor. Possible weather and wind conditions may prevent doing some planned paddle trips and alternates may be considered. Participants must be flexible and be prepared for changes in events and timing. All participants must have and wear a PFD (personal flotation device) while paddling.
Participants Must:
- Be a current ACA and NEWP member, or a current ACA member of another club ($10 fee).
- Have taken a NEWP class or be known by one of the lead paddlers to have the requisite skills and training for the planned activities.
- Complete the event registration (see the “Count Me In” button above).
- Want to practice before the gathering? Join one of our Practice Paddles.
Kayak Trip Tips:
Trip Tips