Door County state park ranked among best in the U.S. for a winter cold-water swim

STURGEON BAY - If you think the waters of Lake Michigan off Whitefish Dunes State Park are a great place to wade in the water during the summer, a number of people across the country apparently think it's a great place for that in winter, too.

That's according to a survey conducted by residential mental health treatment centers AMFM (A Mission for Michael) that ranked Whitefish Dunes the seventh-best place in the U.S. for a cold-water plunge.

The survey asked 3,105 cold-water enthusiasts about their favorite destinations for a late-winter or early-spring plunge. The dip off Whitefish Dunes was the only Wisconsin location to make the top 100 in the rankings, while states one usually wouldn't associate with cold water equaled or topped Wisconsin's contribution – Georgia (at Nos. 28, 54 and 56), Mississippi (Nos. 57, 89 and 92) and Louisiana (72, 85, 95) each placed three cold-water swims in the rankings and Florida (21) and Alabama (81) one each.

"During winter, (Lake Michigan's) temperature hovers just above freezing, providing a truly invigorating plunge for the bravehearted," a press release about Whitefish Dunes' place in the rankings said. "The park's shoreline is characterized by substantial sand dunes and scenic vistas, creating a picturesque setting for a winter and springtime swim."

However, the press release also warned that visitors should be cautious of icy conditions and strong currents in Lake Michigan in winter and advised cold-weather swimmers to bring along not only appropriate gear but also companions.

If you're wondering why a mental health center business is interested in this topic, the press release says cold-water plunges and swims are an increasingly popular practice by people who say the physical jolt of the water not only provides an adrenaline rush but also helps them reduce their stress, sleep better and lift their spirits, especially if dealing with the cold-weather blues. It also says that any activity that gets people outside to breathe fresh air and maybe meet other people, especially in winter, can help them feel better and ease anxieties.

“We’ve seen growing buzz around cold-water plunging, and it’s easy to see why,” AMFM executive director Anand Mehta said in the press release. “The shock of cold water can spark a flood of feel-good hormones, sharpen focus, and even help you sleep better that night."

Mehta went on to say that a cold-water swim is not a cure-all for mental health issues, though, and those with such concerns should talk to a professional before diving in.

"It’s a complement to care, not a substitute,” Mehta said.

The top five locations for cold-water plunges in the survey are Brighton Beach in Brooklyn, New York; Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park in Montana; Lake Erie off Headlands Beach State Park in Ohio; the Atlantic Ocean off Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Signalness Lake in Minnesota's Glacial Lakes State Park.

No one state dominated the 100 locations. Every state but Hawaii had at least one location on the list, and 18 states tied for the highest number of locations with three each, including Wisconsin's neighboring cold-weather states Minnesota (including the fifth and sixth places just ahead of Whitefish Dunes) and Michigan (Nos. 9, 10 and 12).

For more, see the full Top 100 list at amfmtreatment.com/blog/polar-plunge.

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

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