The secret's out: Door County beach named one of top 100 'secret beaches' in the U.S.

Christopher Clough, Green Bay Press-Gazette
·3 min read
Covered with small limestone rocks instead of sand, Schoolhouse Beach on Washington Island was named one of the Top 100 "secret beaches" in the U.S. in a national online poll.
Covered with small limestone rocks instead of sand, Schoolhouse Beach on Washington Island was named one of the Top 100 "secret beaches" in the U.S. in a national online poll.

WASHINGTON ISLAND - It's certainly not a secret to Door County residents and regular visitors, and now it may no longer be a secret nationally, either.

Schoolhouse Beach on Washington Island was named one of the top 100 "secret beaches" in the U.S. respondents said they'd most like to visit in 2023 in a poll of 3,000 families conducted by FamilyDestinationsGuide.com, a site featuring advice and reviews of hotels, resorts, destinations and attractions for those planning family trips and vacations.

Schoolhouse Beach, which was ranked No. 86 on the list, was recognized for a number of reasons, but especially the thousands of small limestone rocks, smoothed by glaciers and years of erosion from Lake Michigan, that make up its shoreline instead of sand. Several sources, including Atlas Obscura, claim it is one of only five sandless beaches in the world (another being Pebble Beach in Sister Bay).

Located in Schoolhouse Beach Park off Washington Harbor on the northwestern side of the Island, it also has picnic tables and grills and a marked swimming area, and taking the stones from the beach is prohibited.

"What sets this beach apart from others is its unique shoreline, which is covered in smooth, round stones instead of sand," a news release from Family Destinations Guide said about Schoolhouse Beach. "The clear turquoise waters of Lake Michigan gently lap against the stones, creating a tranquil and serene atmosphere.

"The beach is surrounded by dense forests, making it a perfect spot for a peaceful picnic or a quiet afternoon stroll. Visitors can take a dip in the refreshing water or simply relax and soak up the stunning views of the lake and surrounding landscape. Despite its beauty, Schoolhouse Beach is relatively unknown and thus remains relatively secluded, making it an ideal spot for those seeking a peaceful and serene getaway."

The news release from the website said with more than 95,000 miles of coastline in the U.S., it wanted to give its readers the chance to discover lesser-known, less-crowded beaches.

"Unlike popular beaches that are often crowded and overdeveloped, hidden beaches offer a sense of exclusivity and intimacy that is hard to come by elsewhere," it said. "For those willing to put in the effort to find them, secret beaches offer a chance to escape the crowds and immerse oneself in nature."

Jon Jarosh, chief communications officer for Destination Door County, said while the beach may not be much of a secret getaway to Island and county residents, it's nice to get the recognition from people who frequent a national travel and vacation website.

“We know how special Schoolhouse Beach is, and it’s great to see families from across the country also recognize how special of a place it is to explore and enjoy some time at the beach,” Jarosh said. “We’re happy to have Schoolhouse Beach represent Wisconsin on this list and also be one of only a handful of Great Lakes beaches represented."

Schoolhouse Beach is one of seven on the Great Lakes that made the list, and the only one in the Badger State. The others are Cherry Beach in Chikiming Township, Michigan, at No. 52; Sunrise Beach, Lake Bluff, Illinois, No. 54; Black Beach, Silver Bay, Minnesota, No. 61; the beach on South Manitou Island, Michigan, No. 68; Breakwater Beach, Ashtabula County, Ohio, No. 79; and the beaches at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan, No. 84.

Hawaii’s Awahua Beach earned the top spot in the poll, one of three Hawaiian beaches in the top four. Florida placed four beaches in the top 10 with its Shell Key Preserve ranked No. 2, and Sedge Island in New Jersey rounded out the top five.

Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or cclough@doorcountyadvocate.com.

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This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Door County beach named one of top 100 'secret beaches' in the U.S.