Hiking Door County’s Mighty Five
Wisconsin’s Door County Peninsula is home to five of the state’s most beautiful state parks. If you’re looking for an outdoor excursion with breathtaking hikes (and maybe a refreshing swim or two), may we suggest the mighty five state parks located in Wisconsin’s thumb?
Ice Age Trail at Potawatomi State Park
Potawatomi State Park
Nestled in what feels like the entrance to Door County – Sturgeon Bay – this park is often overlooked in favor of other parks up the peninsula, but we have some advice for you: Do not sleep on Potawatomi! It’s home to the Eastern Terminus of Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail and offers some stunning views for folks embarking on or ending their IAT through-hikes and day-hikers alike.
Our favorite hike: Any part (or all of) the Ice Age Trail in this park is worth the time. Calm yourself on this quiet trail surrounded by the scent of trees and pop out onto some rocky outcroppings to take in the lake views.
Limestone cliffs on Eagle Trail
Peninsula State Park
Wisconsin’s third most popular state park holds this honor for good reason: it’s located in the heart of Door County with 8 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan’s Green Bay with stunning bluffs and recreation opportunities like hiking, biking (road and mountain), camping, and much more. While Peninsula is known for Eagle Tower (newly re-constructed with a beautiful and ADA accessible 850-foot ramp leading to the top of the tower), we highly recommend that anyone visiting this park in the summertime also snag some tickets to a play at the park’s own Northern Sky Theater.
Our favorite hike: Eagle Trail – A two-mile loop with views of the lake and opportunities to dip your toes into the water, 200 feet of elevation gain to get your blood pumping, and limestone cliffs for exploring. You will likely run into a few hikers because this is a popular trek, but don’t let that deter you.
Fern Trail at Newport
Newport State Park
Located on the tippy top of the Door Peninsula, Newport boasts 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and 30 miles of hiking trails. In the nighttime, Newport is one the darkest locales in the state, making for some amazing views of the night sky. In fact, it’s the only designated Dark Sky Park in Wisconsin.
Our favorite hike: Lynd Point Trail to Fern Trail – The perfect fresh-air hike along the rocky shoreline of Lake Michigan (Lynd Point Trail) combined with a super cool and ADA accessible boardwalk weaving through a thick, green forest (Fern Point).
Bonus: Fern/Europe Bay Trail is an impressively inclusive hike for folks with disabilities, offering something fun for those with mobility, hearing, and visual impairments. It consists of a wide, flat trail and offers interpretive signs with auditory and tactile messages. It’s also just a really beautiful trail in nature.
The beach at Whitefish Dunes
Whitefish Dunes State Park
Home to one whole mile of Lake Michigan shoreline, acres of forest, and Wisconsin’s tallest sand dune (via the Old Baldy Trail), which towers 93 feet above Lake Michigan. A great place for a hike and a refreshing spot for a mid-hike swim.
Our favorite hike: Honestly, we love them all. You can’t go wrong with any trails but be sure to hit up any of its three beach access points to take in the views. After all, you’re in Door County and Lake Michigan never gets old.
Rock Island State Park
Rock Island may be in the top 10 list of least visited Wisconsin state parks, but don’t be fooled! This park is a complete gem. What makes it so unpopular is in its name – it’s a primitive island and it requires some effort in getting to, namely two ferry rides. But if you’re willing to take the time to make the trip, you absolutely won’t regret it.
Our favorite hike: Thordarson Trail Loop – A 5-ish mile hike that circumnavigates the island with an option to visit to the Pottawatomie Lighthouse on the north side. Make sure to check out the swimming beach on the south side of the island. It offers a sandy shoreline and water reminiscent of the Caribbean.
Food + Drink
Doing all this hiking is likely to make you a bit hungry and thirsty, so we’ve got a few recommendations for food and drink too:
Anatolia (Ephraim): With the best falafel around, this Turkish restaurant offers something different from the typical Door County dinner fare. With delicious kebabs and a smattering of yummy appetizers, Anatolia is a must during your Door Peninsula visit.
Sway (Bailey’s Harbor): Sway serves up delicious beer and baked goods that are well worth trying. A brewery and a scratch bakery under one roof. It doesn’t get much better.
Cultured (Sister Bay): Seriously good sourdough bagels, bread, kimchi, and other ferments. Order up a sandwich and make sure to grab some bagels and focaccia for snacks on the trail.
Wild Tomato (Fish Creek or Sister Bay): Wood-fired pizza, a perfect meal after a day of hiking. Be sure to check out their “Donation Creation” special for a pizza that is often outside-the-box and totally tasty.
Island Orchard Cider (Ellison Bay): Hands down, our favorite hard cider. It’s made from apples and pears grown just a hop, skip, and jump away on Washington Island.
Koko’s Ice Cream (Sister Bay): Plant-based ice cream that is absolutely to die for. Grab a scoop of the Lavender Dream (or any other their other amazing flavors) for the most delicious and refreshing dessert.