Peninsula State Park
White Cedar Nature Center

• Calendar of Events
• Year-round Programs
• Gift Store

Peninsula's White Cedar Nature Center is a fun, family-friendly place, featuring nostalgic photos, taxidermy birds and mammals, a huge light-up map of the park, and a stuffed black bear. Friends of Peninsula State Park sell field guides, affordable kids' items, and park clothing with all proceeds supporting nature education programs. The center, on Bluff Road next to the wood yard, is open 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. daily, Memorial Day - Labor Day. The rest of the year it is open as staffing permits. Inquire at the park headquarters or by phone (920) 854-5976.

Calendar of Events

Hikes, nature crafts, outdoor skills workshops and more are scheduled throughout the year. Schedules are available at the park headquarters and nature center, and also are posted on campground bulletin boards. Peninsula also offers a variety of on-your-own year-round programs. See the links below to find out what nature programs are scheduled during your Peninsula visit:

Winter Nature Programs

Year-round Programs

Like to Hike: Hike, bike, or ski at least five trails and be eligible to purchase a custom pin at cost ($3). The 2012 pin features a monarch butterfly. Peninsula's Like to Hike program is celebrating its 11th year, with each year featuring a different design.

Ask for a hiking log at Peninsula State Park Headquarters or the Nature Center. The 2012 log includes fourteen suggestions, from trying Peninsula's Vita Course with exercise stations, to a "mosquito feast" at Welcker's Shelter, to a ski along the Green Loop, including Kodanko field along Middle Road. Participants need try only five. Requirements can also be modified to meet a visitor's needs. Pins are also available to volunteers who assist with stewardship projects.

Wisconsin Explorer Booklets: Discover nature with the newly revised Wisconsin Explorer booklets, available to kids ages 3 and older. Booklets are free at Park Headquarters and the Nature Center. Return the booklet to any state park to receive a free patch. While supplies last.

Peninsula Two-Step Geocache: Try this on-your-own new activity, a two-stage cache with a prize if you solve the puzzle. About 0.5-mile hike. Geocachers must follow all rules as listed here [exit DNR]. Start Coordinates: N45 09.467 W87 13.680. The geocache is disabled until April 1, 2012.

Scavenger Hunt: Peninsula's nature program welcomes laynard, craft beads, buttons, glitter, a beaded car seat, water color pencils, bird seed, paper plates and cups and lemonade mix. Thank you for your generosity.

Fishing Poles and Nature Backpacks: Poles and backpacks are available for free loan to Peninsula campers. The Nature Center has Smokey Bear Packs (take Smokey camping overnight!), Family Packs (organized by topic: birds, trees, beach games and more) and kid's fishing poles.

Litter Patrol: Pitch in to keep Peninsula clean. Bring 50 pieces of litter to the White Cedar Nature Center and receive a prize.

Gift Store

Peninsula postcards, T-shirts, hiking medallions, patches, music and more are available for sale at the Nature Center. All proceeds fund Peninsula's education program. The Friends of Peninsula State Park manages the gift store.

New! Eagle Tower, a favorite park destination, is featured on Peninsula's new hiking shield. The shield retails for $4, tax included, with all proceeds benefitting Peninsula nature education and trail improvements. The shield is available at the Park Headquarters and the Nature Center.

Peninsula's historic sites pamphlet is a companion to the park's wildflower checklist. Each sells for $2, tax included.

The historic sites pamphlet is a companion to the park's wildflower checklist. They sell for $2 each.

For more information, ask Kathleen Harris, (920) 854-5976.