Door County is a peninsula in Wisconsin between Lake Michigan and Green Bay. It is well-known for its many parks, including Peninsula State Park, Newport State Park, and Potawatomi State Park. It is also famous for its long shoreline, which includes Nicolet Beach and Sturgeon Bay.
Due to its many natural beauty spots and the diversity of the geography in this area, Door County is a popular place to visit for those who enjoy outdoor activities, including hiking. The best way to see as much of the unique scenery as possible during your stay is to enjoy some of the hiking trails.
There are many hiking trails from which to choose and each of these has its own interesting features. While some are easy trails for beginners, there are others that are challenging and best suited to experienced hikers.
As there are so many trails in this area, we have compiled a list of ten of the best to give you some ideas of how to get the most out of your time in Door County. We have also given you some useful tips to make your hiking adventures safe and enjoyable.
Gear Checklist for Hiking Trails in Door County
It is important that you take the right gear with you when hiking in Door County so that you are safe and can enjoy your hikes. Some of the gear you should take along includes:
Good hiking boots – There is some challenging terrain to tackle when hiking in Door County, especially in freezing and wet conditions. Wearing a decent pair of hiking boots will reduce the risk of falling and will give your feet and ankles the support you need.
Trekking poles – Trekking poles are a good idea for longer and more challenging trails.
Insect repellent – You will probably come across lots of insects while hiking in Door County. The best way to avoid uncomfortable bites is to wear insect repellent and carry it with you.
Water and snacks – It is vital that you take water with you on a hike. You will need more if the hike is long or the weather is warm. If you are enjoying one of the longer trails, you should also take plenty of snacks to keep up your energy levels.
Waterproofs – Even in the summer there are unexpected showers in this part of the United States, so you should bring a thin layer of waterproofs, or a rain poncho, for summer hiking. In the colder months, layer your clothing to keep you warm and remove a layer if you feel too hot or uncomfortable.
Travel insurance – Getting travel insurance for any trip is important and this is especially the case for hiking trips due to the potential risk of injury and as you are likely to visit remote areas.
Where to Stay in Door County
To get the most out of your time in Door County, you should stay for at least a few days. This means that you will need to book accommodation and the type you choose depends on your expectations of the trip and your budget. Some of the options include camping, hostels, bed and breakfasts, and hotels. Whichever you choose, you should book well in advance because Door County is a popular tourist area and accommodation is quickly booked up.
Camping in Door County
The cheapest option is to pitch a tent at a campsite and this is ideal for those who want the complete outdoor experience. If you opt to stay at a campsite, you will probably be closer to the hiking trails than if you stay in a hotel, which is another bonus of this type of accommodation. There are multiple campsites in Door County, so you should choose one that is close to some of your planned hikes.
Mid-Priced Accommodation
Many people prefer the comfort of sleeping in a bed after a day of hiking. If this applies to you, there are plenty of choices for places to stay in Door County, with the option to stay close to the parklands or on the coast.
High-End Accommodation in Door County
If you really want to treat yourself on your trip to Door County and you have a higher budget, then you might like to stay in one of the three 4-star hotels in this area. These are Little Sweden, Church Hill Inn, and Thorpe House Inn & Cottages. The facilities at these establishments will help to unwind after a physically exhausting day.
1. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail- Sturgeon Bay Segment
- Distance: 22.2 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation: No elevation
- Duration: Full day
- Start and end points: The observation tower on the Ice Age Trail to the Forestville Trailhead
- Best time to hike: Any time
This is one of the quieter trails in Doors County, but it is also one of the best. It’s located in the Potawatomi National Park and is a full day linear hike.
Although it is long, the terrain isn’t overly challenging. Before you begin your hike, you might like to climb the observation tower to enjoy the views. The first half of the trail takes you through forests and head towards the City of Sturgeon Bay. The trail then continues along the lake and you can divert to the shore for a break if you wish. The latter section of this trail is along the Ahnapee State Trail and you continue until you reach the Forestville Segment Trailhead.
2. The Black Trail at Cave Point County Park
- Distance: 4.82 km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation: No elevation
- Duration:2-2.5 hours
- Start and end points: Lollipop starting and ending at Whitefish Dunes State Park Parking Lot
- Best time to hike: Any time
The Black Trail is one of the easiest hiking trails to complete at Door County, but it allows you to view one of the most popular natural landmarks in this area. Cave Point is a collection of sea caves that have been created by the waves pounding at the rocky shoreline.
At Cave Point, you can also enjoy views across the lake. The trail leads you over level terrain through the hardwood forest that is set back from the shore and features wildlife and pretty wildflowers. There are several picnic areas along the way, including one with shipwreck artifacts.
3. The Eagle Trail at Peninsula State Park
- Distance: 3.22 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation:56 m
- Duration: 2 hours
- Start and end points: Starts and ends at Eagle Bluff
- Best time to hike: March to October
Although this is only a short walk, it is slightly challenging because of the rocky terrain and elevation gain. You can do this trail at any time of the year, but icy conditions in winter make it tricky, so it is best tackled between March and October.
From the trailhead at Eagle Bluff, you follow the rocky shoreline of the lake close to the Niagara Escarpment. The trail takes you through forests and along the stony shores of Green Bay. You will have the chance to climb a lookout tower and to explore the caves. This is the most popular hiking trail in Door County, so it is often congested during peak season.
4. Door Bluff Headlands County Park
- Distance: 4 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation:226 m
- Duration: 2-2.5 hours
- Start and end points: Starts and ends at Door Bluff Trailhead
- Best time to hike: Any time
Although this trail is unmarked, it’s easy to navigate when starting from the Door Bluff Trailhead. It starts through a cedar forest with some open spaces that offer views across Green Bay.
The trail takes you through the rustic wilderness and there are some fantastic spots where you can leave the trail to explore. You can also leave this trail for another route that takes you to the water’s edge, which is a popular option for fishermen. If you stay on the main trail, it loops back to Door Bluff Park Road, which takes you back to the parking lot at the start.
5. The Red Trail at Whitefish Dunes State Park
- Distance:4.5 km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation:184 m
- Duration:1-2 hours
- Start and end points: Whitefish Dunes State Park Nature Center and back
- Best time to hike: Any time
One of the best features along the shorelines of Door County is the enormous Whitefish Sand Dunes, which are spectacular. There are several trails through this state park, but the red trail is probably the best.
It takes you from behind the nature center to the top of Old Baldy Lookout and then through the Whitefish Dunes State Natural Area. Along the way, there are three points where you can access the beach. The trail ends back at the starting point. This trail is also used by runners and cyclists as the beautiful scenery makes any outdoor activity enjoyable.
6. Ellison Blue State Natural Area
- Distance: 1.8 km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation: No elevation
- Duration: Under one hour
- Start and end points: Ellison Bluff Trailhead
- Best time to hike: Any time
This is one of the easiest and most accessible trails in Door County. It’s located in Ellison Bay at the northern tip of Door County. This is a simple trail that even casual walkers can enjoy as it is short and covers only flat terrain.
Many people enjoy this short circular hiking trail to sit and enjoy the pretty views from the observation point. The rest of the trail covers an established track that goes through a forest. Depending on which time of year you are visiting, you are treated to the sight and aroma of an array of flowers along the way.
7. Plum Island Hiking Trails
- Distance:8.1 km combined
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation: No elevation
- Duration:3-4 hours
- Start and end points: Starts and ends at Plum Island’s harbor
- Best time to hike: Any time
To access Plum Island, you must take a boat or kayak across the Death’s Door passage. Once there, you will find several designated hiking trails, the combined length of which is 8.1 km.
While on the island, you can explore all these hiking trails in half a day and choose whichever route you prefer. This is a nature lover’s dream as the island is a designated wildlife refuge and is home to Bald Eagles and some of the rarest plants in Wisconsin. The trails will also take you past a wetlands area, lighthouses, beaches, and historic buildings. It is easy to complete these trails in three hours, but you might want to allow longer so you can take in all the sights.
8. Thordason Loop at Rock Island State Park
- Distance: 8.1 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation: No elevation
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Start and end points: Rock Island Harbor
- Best time to hike: Any time in good weather
Rock Island is accessed by first taking a ferry to Washington Island and then a second ferry to Rock Island. Due to the extra travel, you should probably allow a full day for this excursion, even though you will probably complete the hiking trails in around three hours.
The trail starts along the rocky shoreline and goes around the island over some flat and some rough terrain. A well as the beautiful scenery, you can also enjoy the beach, lighthouses, and a historic boathouse. If you are backpacking around the area, you might want to spend the night on the island as there are several campsites for backpackers.
9. Ice Age Trail Forestville Segment
- Distance:15.8 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation: No elevation
- Duration: Full day
- Start and end points: Starts at Forestville Trailhead and ends at Algoma
- Best time to hike: Any time
Although this is a longer hike, it is only moderately challenging as it is predominantly flat, and the well-established trails are covered in crushed stone. This linear trail goes through the Forestville Dam County Park. During the trail, you cross the Forestville Dam and walk along the serene Ahnapee River.
If you want to take your time on this hike, you can visit the boating and kayak rentals to have some fun on the river. There are also campsites along the way if you want to spend the night on this section of the Ice Age Trail. This hiking trail comes to an end when you reach Algoma.
10. Toft Point Natural Area
- Distance: 3.2 km with the option to extend
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation: No elevation
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Start and end points: Toft Point State Natural Area parking lot to Moonlight Bay and back
- Best time to hike: Any time
This there-and-back hike is in a quiet area of Door County called Bailey’s Harbor, so it often gets missed by tourists. However, this is both a beautiful spot to visit and an area of historic significance. The basic trail heads from the Toft Point State Natural Area parking lot and heads through fields and forests to Toft Point on Moonlight Bay.
This land was once the homestead of the Toft family and is now an area used to educate people about conservation. There are log cabins close to Toft Point, which provides both guest accommodation and event facilities. Although the trail is short, there is the option to hike off the trail into the wilderness. However, you will need a compass and a map.
Tips for Hiking in Door County
The following tips will reduce the likelihood of you running into problems while hiking in Door County and will help you to enjoy safe and fun hikes.
- Always wear appropriate clothing, including a decent pair of hiking boots. Wear layers in colder weather and take waterproofs with you in the summer.
- Check if the trails are open before visiting and if you need any hiking or camping permits. Also, research the different hiking trails so you can plan your different excursions in advance.
- Protect yourself from the sun by applying sunscreen in all weather and wearing sunglasses and a sun hat in warmer weather.
- Take a camera along with you. There are many wonderful photography opportunities along the trails and the shorelines. Capturing the scenery and wildlife is the perfect memento of your time in the area.
Regardless of whether you are a hiking novice or an experienced hiker, there are trails for you to enjoy in Door Co. Most cover predominantly flat terrain with well-maintained tracks, so they are accessible for people with various fitness levels.
Our guide should give you some ideas of which trails to visit during a stay in this part of Wisconsin, although there are many more you can try during your trip. We hope our tips will help to keep you safe and add to your enjoyment of this area.