Peninsula State Park
Camping with Animals

There are two kinds of animals in the campgrounds--family pets and wildlife.

Pets

Pets are allowed at Peninsula; however, pet owners must strictly follow regulations and policy. Peninsula’s Camper Etiquette Checklist, available at Park Headquarters and from camp hosts, highlights pet rules. Your pet may act unpredictably around strangers in an unfamiliar place. Please consider leaving your animal at home.

• Keep pets (and barking) under control and on a leash that does not exceed 8 feet.
• Pets are not allowed in any picnic area, on the beach or adjacent mowed area, in any building, or on trails with interpretive signs. A leader dog is the only exception.
• Clean up after your pet.

Campground Wildlife

A red squirrel may scold you from the tree tops, sounding a staccato warning. If you hear blood-curdling cries in the middle of the night coming from your picnic table, your messy camping habits have lured in crabby raccoons. In the morning, look for tracks that mimic little handprints. It's time to put away ALL food and fragrant cleaning supplies.

• Keep coolers and all food locked in vehicles or campers with windows closed.
• Never bring food, toothpaste or anything sweet into a tent. Peninsula raccoons unzip tents.
• Keep your campsite clean.

Smell something? At night, a skunk may saunter into your camp site. Just sit tight and keep an eye on Fido. The skunk will mosey on soon.

That howling in the distance is not a wolf but a coyote. Wolves are very rare in Door County. Same with black bears; the closest one is the stuffed bear at the Nature Center.

Welcker's Shelter harbors a bat nursery colony. Visit 30 minutes after sunset to see bats emerge to feed on night flying insects. Bats are great mosquito munchers. Please help us keep this colony healthy by respecting the bats!