Pennoyer Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Pennoyer Park is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin and is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.
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Summary
The park is situated along the shore of Lake Michigan and offers stunning views of the water and the surrounding area. There are many good reasons to visit Pennoyer Park including the numerous recreational activities available, the beautiful scenery, and the historical significance of the area.
One of the main points of interest in Pennoyer Park is the Southport Lighthouse, which was built in 1866 and is now a museum. Visitors can climb to the top of the lighthouse for a breathtaking view of Lake Michigan and the surrounding area. The park also features a playground, picnic areas, and a beach for swimming and sunbathing. In addition, there are several hiking trails that wind through the park and offer a chance to explore the natural beauty of the area.
Interesting facts about Pennoyer Park include the fact that it was named after William Pennoyer, a prominent businessman and philanthropist who donated the land for the park. The park was also the site of a Civil War training camp and was used as a military base during World War II.
The best time of year to visit Pennoyer Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the park is in full bloom. However, the park is open year-round and offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy no matter what time of year they visit.
Overall, Pennoyer Park is a must-see destination for anyone visiting the Kenosha area. With its beautiful scenery, historical significance, and numerous recreational opportunities, it is a great place to spend a day or a weekend exploring all that it has to offer.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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Petzke Park
Navy Memorial Park
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