Door County is the “thumb” on the east side of Wisconsin, pointing into Lake Michigan. There is something for everyone. The peninsula has five state parks and 10 lighthouses, each offering a unique experience. Door County has history and drama. The straits between Door County and Washington Island are known as “Death’s Door” because of its treacherous waters.
Door County offers visitors a true getaway. North of Sturgeon Bay, there are no fast food restaurants or big box retail. Local shops and restaurants provide the shopping and entertainment. While anytime is a good time to visit Door County, fall has a special magic about it. The crowds are smaller. Getting away for a fall hike is a special treat. In addition to the state parks, there are 18 county parks. These are the places to seek out.
Cave Point County Park/Whitefish Dunes State Park
The walk along the shoreline is truly spectacular. Crashing waves along the shoreline carved out the unique display of caves and openings. If there is a place to go when a fall storm hits, this is it. Thunder roars and echoes within the caves. The half-mile trail connects to the extensive trail system of Whitefish Dunes State Park, itself offering a different experience for the hiker through forested sand dunes and beech forest. The Brachiopod Trail offers an interpretive experience for young and old.
Door Bluff Headlands County Park
Door Bluff Headlands County Park is off the beaten path. Don’t expect crowds at this 156-acre park. Located north of Ellison Bay, Door Bluff Headlands County Park offers hikers incredible views of Green Bay. Not for the faint of heart, a lookout bridge juts out from the bluff, providing more fantastic views. The second largest county park in Door County, it boasts over 6,800 feet of shoreline. While accessible, exercise caution and common sense when exploring the lower reaches of the park. The park does not have a formal hiking trail system, but natural trails are easy to follow.
Peninsula State Park
Peninsula State Park is the jewel of Door County. The park offers adventure for the whole family. Eagle Bluff Lighthouse is one of the 10 lighthouses in the county. The site is open to the public for tours. For nature buffs, the trails offer many different hiking experiences from protected white cedar forest to beech/maple forests. The Sentinel and Hemlock Trails offer the best fall hiking. For a more challenging hike, walk the Eagle Bluff Trail for views of the bluffs. As always, exercise caution on the trails. Perhaps the most scenic of the trails, Sunset Trail is a paved path that winds along the shoreline and through the forested bluffs. This is the place to be at sunset, hence the name.
The Midwest has so many beautiful and unique fall hiking destinations. Door County is a place that will relax you, challenge you, entice you, and give you the experience of a lifetime.
