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Point Beach State Forest

The point juts seven miles into Lake Michigan, and the six-mile beach occasionally yields pieces of 19th century ships that sank here. The sandy shore of Lake Michigan is a fascinating place just to walk, look and indulge in some aimless beach combing. Interpretive center and indoor group camps. 9400 County Hwy. O, Two Rivers 54241. (920) 794-7480.

Directions: To get to Point Beach from Two Rivers, the nearest community, take County Highway O north about 4 miles; the entrance road will be on your right. From the north on Wisconsin Highway 42, take Manitowoc County Highway V east to County Highway O and go south about 2 miles; the entrance road will be on your left.

Features: Point Beach offers 6 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, with dunes, a lighthouse, camping, and hiking, biking, skiing, nature, and snowmobile trails.

Campground: (recommended sites in red) The family campground consists of 127 sites, 70 of them with electricity. All of the sites are within walking distance of Lake Michigan, where you can enjoy more than five plus miles of undeveloped shoreline. Because of the high sand dunes, none of the sites offer a view of the lake. All sites are wooded. Each has a fire ring and picnic table. A flush toilet and shower building is across from site 31. Sites 21 through 127 are reservable and sites 1 through 20 available on a first-come, first-served basis.
In the 1-16 loop, small shady sites close to the road are 1, 3 (partially sunny), 4, 5 (partially sunny), 8 and 10 (partially sunny), and 16 (partially sunny). Medium-sized shady sites 2, 6, 9, 12 (partially sunny under pines), and 13 (L-shaped at the edge of a valley). Site 14 (photo) is medium-sized, open and sunny, surrounded by pines. Site 15 (photo) is a medium-sized shady site under mature trees.
In the 17-30 loop, the best sites are medium-sized and shady 17E, 18E, and 19E. The rest are small and shady. Sites 21/23 and 27/29 are medium-sized, shady doubles. The shower building is located at the entrance to this loop.
In the 31-62 loop, small shady sites include 31-38, 40, 45, 57, and 61. Medium-sized shady sites are 42-45, 47E, 49, 57, and 59. Site 41 (photo) is medium-sized and shady on a raised area with a fence. Site 49 (photo) is a larger, partially sunny raised site with a fence at the edge of the parking area. Other good larger sites include 52 (deep under birches and pines) and 53 (partially sunny on a small hill with steps up to the site). Site 55 (photo) is a nice partially sunny, large site set on a raised fenced platform above the parking area, similar to site 54 (medium-sized and shady with a fence separating the camping area from the parking area), and site 56 (large, deep, raised, and shaded by pines behind it). Sites 58 and 60 are medium-sized and shady under pines. Site 62 is large and shady under mature trees.
In the 63-73 section, the sites are all small and shady with the exception of site 65 (photo), which is large, deep, and shady, and medium-sized, shady sites 66 and 67.
In the 74-127 loop, sites 75/77 make up a medium-sized, open, sunny double. Site 76 is medium-sized, open and sunny, similar to sites 78-82 (site 82 is near a picnic shelter and site 81 is next to the Ridges Trail). Sites 83 and 84 are small and partially sunny, near the Ridges Trail. Site 85E is half-shady, medium-sized, and has a grassy area. Three medium-sized sunny doubles are 86/88E, 87/89E, and 92/94E. Site 90 is small and shady, and site 91 is a medium-sized shady pull-through. Site 93 (photo) is large and sunny with patches of shade at the edges with grassy sections. Sites 95 and 96 (photo) are medium-sized and shady under pines on a short dead-end road. Site 97 (photo) is large and partially shaded with a backdrop of pines and lots of grass, similar to site 99. Site 98 is medium-sized and shady, and site 100 is large and partially sunny with grassy areas. Site 101 (photo) is an excellent tent-site with the camping area raised on a small hill and hidden in a shady pine stand. Site 102E is sunny and L-shaped on a small rise. Sites 103 and 105 are large and shady under pines. Site 104 is medium-sized and sunny on a hill. Sites 106 and 109 are medium-sized and shady. Site 108 (photo) is deep, private, and shady with a dirt floor. Medium-sized shady sites are 110, 112, 115 (under pines), and 117 (partially sunny). Site 111 (photo) is a fine site, large, deep, and private, shaded by pines, and similar to sites 114 and 116. Site 113 is small and shady. Sites 118 and 119 are medium- to large-sized, partially sunny under pines. Sites 117-119 are next to the Ridges Trail and a short walk away from the playfield. Site 120 (photo) is a nice shady walk-in tent-site, 40-feet up three steps, and medium-sized. Small shady sites near the road are 121, 122, 124, and 126. Site 123 is a medium-sized sunny site set against a sand dune, with a path to the beach across the dune, similar to site 125 (volunteer site). Site 127 (photo) is an excellent cabin site, large and very private with its own water source and a rustic cabin tucked behind a screen of trees, set against a dune with a path to the beach (photo) across it.

Winter Camping: Point Beach campground is open year round. The campground entrance road is plowed to the shelter building. Sites 74 through 81 have electricity and are available first-come, first-served during the winter. Enjoy the solitude of the season. You can cross-country ski right from your campsite to the groomed trails. Water is available at the forest office or at the shop building. The shower building is shut down in mid to late October.

Indoor Group Camp: The indoor group camp is near Lake Michigan about 1.7 miles south of the forest entrance station. It has two buildings, one sleeping 14 and the other 16. Groups can reserve one or both cabins, depending on the group size.

Outdoor Group Camp : Point Beach has an outdoor group camp that accommodates as many as 60 people and is designed for tents and small trailers up to 20 feet in length. Large motor homes and fifth wheel units will not fit in the group camp area and should use the family campground. Group camp accommodations include hand pump for water, pit toilets, picnic tables and a large fire ring.

Map of Point Beach State Forest            Map of Point Beach Campground

Trails: Point Beach's trails give you healthful exercise while providing access to the forest's scenic locations and interesting natural features. There are 11 miles of hiking and ski trails, 4 miles of surfaced biking trail, 4 miles of mountain bike trail, and 3 miles of snowmobile trail. All forest roads also are open to bicycle use, but use extreme caution because they are heavily traveled by cars, campers, and trailers. Please follow one-way signs.
Ridges Trail: The Ridges Trail (photo), which starts at the Lodge parking lot, has three connecting loops so you can hike or ski varying distances: Red Loop (3 miles or 5 kilometers), Red and Blue Loops (5.5 miles or 9 kilometers), Red, Blue, and Yellow Loops (7.25 miles or 12 kilometers). In early evening in season, trail users can hear a loud chorus of frogs singing from the swales between the ridges. Dogs are prohibited during ski season but permitted at other times of the year.
Red Pine Trail: The Red Pine Trail (photo) begins at the parking lot west of County Highway O across from the forest entrance road. The trail is 3.1 miles or 5 kilometers long. This trail is open to mountain bikes and hikers in the summer and skiers in the winter. Dogs are prohibited during ski season but permitted at other times of the year.
Rawley Point Bicycle Trail: The Rawley Point Bicycle Trail has a hardpacked limestone base. The trail starts at the lodge parking lot and goes south through pine and hemlock forest for 5 miles. It connects to the Mariners Trail, a 7-mile paved trail along the Lake Michigan shoreline to Two Rivers and Manitowoc.
Swales Nature Trail: This self-guided nature trail (photo) is 1/2 mile long. It's a great place to look for Wild flowers, birds, and animals as well as to learn how this interesting terrain was formed.

Ski Trails: Ski trails (Ridges, Red Pine, and Swales) are marked for one-way travel only.
Snowmobile Trail: A through trail connects the forest with the county snowmobile trail system and the City of Two Rivers. Vehicles and trailers may be parked at Port Sandy Bay. about 2.5 miles south of the forest entrance road, where there is access.

Swimming: Lifeguards are not provided. There are three picnic areas along the shore where swimming and sunbathing are popular. The main beach (photo) is located near the Nature Center and Concessions. Another popular beach (photo) is near the Lighthouse Picnic Area. Near the park office parking lot is a dog path where dog-owners walk their dogs down to the beach. This south beach area (photo of path) is also a popular spot for sunbathing, wading, and letting Fido swim or fetch a stick. The Lakeshore Picnic Area (photo) is another great spot to sunbathe and wade. Lake Michigan can produce dangerous rip currents. These outward currents are most serious when large waves are present. When there are large waves, use extreme caution. Don't go in water more than waist deep. If caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you're out of the current, or if you can't do that, float calmly until the current dissipates. Rip currents seldom are more than 30 feet wide. Users of small watercraft or floatation devices should be aware of wind conditions. Strong west winds can blow you away from the shoreline. Parents, watch your children at all times in the water. Rubber and plastic rafts, inner tubes, and other boats require personal floatation devices.

Rawley Point Lighthouse: A major feature of Point Beach is Rawley Point and the lighthouse (photo) operated by the US Coast Guard. The Coast Guard has operated a lighthouse here since 1853. The first lighthouse was a brick tower and home that served mariners until 1894, when a new steel tower was installed. The light is atop this steel tower which rises 113 feet above the lake surface and is one of the largest and brightest on the Great Lakes. It is visible up to 19 miles away and operates from one half hour before sunset until one half hour after sunrise. The old brick light tower was cut down, roofed, and became a part of the keeper's house. These structures, framed by evergreens and a blue sky, have become a scenic attraction in Wisconsin. Before the new lighthouse was built, 26 ships foundered or stranded on the point. They included 20 schooners, a barge, two steamers, and three brigs. The most tragic sinking in the point's unpleasant history occurred in 1887, when the steamship Vernon went down in heavy seas. One of the largest, steamers on the lakes at the time, the Vernon took 36 crew members and passengers to their deaths. The sinking remains a mystery. Since the lighthouse went into operation, however, the tragedies have come to an end. The lighthouse may be viewed and photographed from the beach. Tours normally are not available, but the lighthouse was open to visitors on open house day in 2002, when they could photograph the decorative railing close up and a canopy on the lawn far below.

Wildlife: More than 130 kinds of birds have been identified at the park. Along the beach, strollers may see gulls, plovers, terns and sandpipers. During spring and fall migration periods, many shore birds and songbirds can be spotted. Whipporwills are common visitors to the park. Mammals found here include white-tailed deer, coyote, fox, squirrels, woodchucks, and rabbits.

Nearby Attractions:
Nashotah Park: This area includes a beautiful Lake Michigan sand beach (photo) with areas for swimming and launching jet skis. The Beach House is home to a bathhouse/changing area, restrooms and a concession stand. The shelter can be rented for private parties & picnics. Located at 500 Zlatnik Drive. The entrance to the park is located off the intersection of Highway 42 and County Highway O, where Hwy O heads north toward Point Beach State Forest.

Cherney Maribel Caves: Located on the West Twin River, Cherney Maribel Caves contains a 50-foot limestone bluff, a rare occurrence within the glaciated region of Wisconsin. The "caves" in the side of the bluff (photo) are really shallow indentations caused by gaps in the black dolomite. A young beech-maple woodland dominates the uplands and contains a showy spring flora. Near the cliff edge hemlock joins the maple and beech in a narrow strip. The shaded cliff contains polypody, bulbet, and walking ferns. An endangered plant species is also present. At the cliff base and throughout the floodplain are large white cedars. The river bottom forest has many birds usually found farther north. Among these are winter wren, solitary vireo, blackburnian warbler, and yellow-bellied flycatcher. Cherney Maribel Caves is owned by Manitowoc County and was designated a State Natural Area in 1967. Access: From the junction of I-43 and State Highway 147 one mile east of Maribel, go east on 147 0.3 mile, then north on County Highway R 0.6 mile to the entrance of Cherney Maribel Caves County Park.

Lower Cato Falls : Lower Cato Falls is a major County park centrally located within Manitowoc County, approximately 8 miles west of the City of Manitowoc on County Trunk Highway JJ. The total area of this scenic park is 84 acres. The park itself is divided into two distinct landscape areas: an upland area on which most of the development has occurred and a lower area along the river, which will generally remain in its natural state. The park is very scenic with its wooded hills, rock outcroppings and a wide variety of trees and vegetative cover. The Manitowoc River, which forms the northern boundary of the park, flows through a narrow gorge that has unique rock formations and a waterfall area (photo). Park visitors have an impressive panoramic view of the river from various scenic overlooks. Picnicking, hiking and nature trail walks are among the most popular activities here at Lower Cato Falls. Facilities at the park include grills, picnic tables, toilets and playground equipment. Four wooden staircases leading from the top of the bluff to the river were constructed to provide greater ease in negotiating the steep slopes of the river bank. The recent removal of the dam at Manitowoc Rapids has allowed the Manitowoc River to be managed as a rainbow trout fishery. This park offers approximately 2,040 feet of river frontage. Directions: Take County Highway JJ West from Manitowoc approximately 8 miles. Driveway on the North side of the road.

Manitowoc Marina: The marina is a full-service facility, including 250 slips, 6-lane launch ramp, complete Ships Store, comprehensive vessel repair, diesel and gas fuel pumps, and a quiet, casual atmosphere. 425 Maritime Drive, Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

Woodland Dunes Nature Center: Explore this oasis of marshland, swamps, sandy fields, meadows and wooded ridges between Manitowoc and Two Rivers. A haven for wildlife and people. Over seven miles of trails open sunrise to sunset. Hours: M-F 9am-4pm; Sat 9 am-12 pm. Hwy 310 West of Two Rivers.

Mariners Trail: This 6-mile paved, lakeshore recreational trail is the longest, continuous, scenic view of Lake Michigan in the state of Wisconsin. Hike, bike, walk, or rollerblade down this scenic shoreline between Manitowoc and Two Rivers. From the south you can pick up the trail in historic downtown Manitowoc at the 8th Street Bridge. You'll pass scenic overlooks, craggy coves and wide beaches, gift shops, restaurants and motels. Follow the signs through downtown Two Rivers for about a mile to reach the Rawley Point Recreation Trail connecting Point Beach State Forest, the historic Rawley Point Lighthouse, and Two Rivers. This 5 mile trail winds has numerous lake access points and passes near forests, the historic Smith Cabin, the Nature Center, and the historic Rawley Point Lighthouse.

The Point Beach Lodge and Concession Area