7 places to enjoy fall foliage in lovely Door County, Wisconsin

While you might think that the New England market is dominated by the dazzling colors of fall leaves, a visit to Door County, Wisconsin in October will change your mind.

Covering more than 2,000 square miles, Door County is a peninsula surrounded on three sides by Lake Michigan to the east and Green Bay to the west. The southernmost base connects the arm with mainland Wisconsin. Washington Island and Rock Island, also part of Door County, are located a few miles off the northern shore of the peninsula.

When I visited in September, the trees were just starting to turn into their fall coats of leaves. The peak of the peeping season is in October. Some of the 19 different communities I saw were the best places in the show.

Pro tip: All state parks require a permit for purchase at the entrance or at kiosks in the parking lots.

1. Sturgeon Bay

I started my Door County adventure where most tourists do, in Sturgeon Bay, near Green Bay. Vibrant fall colors can be admired at Sister Bay and Ellison Bay, where deciduous trees come down to the water’s edge. These bays are located on the western side of the peninsula.

Potawatomi State Park it was close to my lodgings and the best place to view fall foliage at the Old Ski Hill Overlook.

Driving slowly through the park, you can easily spot the trees growing out of the limestone rocks. It’s an out-of-this-world experience you shouldn’t miss if you like geology and rock formations.

The end (or beginning) Ice Age Trail it is located near the observation tower which would be a great place to get a bird’s eye view of the fall foliage in Sturgeon Bay. However, the building is inaccessible because it is in indigent condition and awaiting funding for reconstruction.

2. Peninsula State Park

One of the most popular state parks on the northeastern shore of the peninsula is Fish Creek Peninsula State Park.

Eagle Tower is an impressive structure atop Eagle Bluff that opened in 2021 and offers panoramic views of the park, the village of Ephraim, surrounding islands and the Upper Michigan coastline.

Eagle Tower provides a bird’s-eye view of the stunning fall foliage around Green Bay. Climb the 100 steps to the top of the tower or the fully accessible canopy that winds above the treeline. A 250-foot-tall handicap-accessible ramp makes treetop views accessible to anyone above the Niagara Escarpment. On a 5% slope there are flat areas with benches for rest. Grandparents enjoy the ease of serving their grandchildren with this up-to-date addition to the park.

3. Bluff over Ellison Bay

IN Ellison Bluff State Natural Area, enjoy the view from the observation deck, which is accessed by wooden stairs or a wooden bridge stretching over the cliff. See the coastline below and 30-foot limestone bluffs, all while overlooking the fall foliage from above.

The county park, located in Liberty Grove, is off the beaten path. But I was told it was worth the trip!

4. Highway 42 to Northport

Highway 42 is one of the most famed stretches of road in the Midwest. Jens Jensen, the famed landscape architect, designed “The perfect highway” which turns and slows down traffic for no apparent reason. The bends create opportunities for lovely photos and pleasant driving, especially in autumn. The time of day and the position of the sun have a significant impact on driving behavior. I was driving in the tardy afternoon, with almost no traffic and only deer in the bushes along the road.

Pro tip: There are only a few junctions where you can park and take photos of the road. I tried both ways. The view becomes more impressive as you travel north.

5. Washington Island

The only year-round island community, Washington Island it is the largest of Door County’s 34 islands. Washington Island is accessible by car/passenger ferry from Northport, on the northern tip of the peninsula, with over 100 miles of roads in 35 square miles to explore. The ride through the Death’s Door water crossing takes about 30 minutes.

Pro tip: Plan a full day to explore this island with its abundance of museums, theater and music events, and outdoor activities in the refreshing fall weather.

6. Lighthouse on Cana Island

Bailey’s Harbor, located on Lake Michigan (east) in Door County, is home to: Lighthouse on Cana Island. In 2019, the lighthouse celebrated its 150th anniversary of guiding ships. A $1.1 million lighthouse renovation project was completed in August. Fortunately, the lighthouse had reopened to visitors 2 weeks before my arrival. This was the highlight of my Wisconsin Lighthouse tour.

The up-to-date white-clad tower is stunning in its clearing, surrounded by trees whose leaves turn dazzling orange, red and gold in fall.

Hardy people who climb the 97 spiral steps to reach the gallery terrace will be rewarded with panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the Door County Peninsula.

Pro tip: A hay wagon pulled by a John Deere tractor driver takes you over the causeway to Cana Island. The wagon ride is bumpy, but it’s the best way to get to the island. While you can walk on slippery and loose rocks in shallow water, the middle of the crossing can be treacherous.

7. Whitefish Dunes State Park

Old Baldy, the tallest dune in the city Whitefish Dunes State Park, is located in eastern Door County on Lake Michigan in Jacksonport. Lake Michigan’s rugged shoreline boasts miles of sandy beach and the tallest sand dunes in Wisconsin.

Fourteen miles of well-marked hiking trails through hardwood forests include a path to Lake Clark and an interpretive trail. In autumn, a mushroom trip is organized twice, led by a guide from the nature center. Imagine the splendor of hiking through the trees when they are in all their fall glory.

Pro tip: If you need to utilize the restroom, please come to the nature center before it closes at 4 p.m. Otherwise, flush-mounted toilets in changing rooms are the only option, and not a good one at that.

How to get to Door County

Plane

Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB) in Green Bay is the closest commercial airport to Door County. The airport is served by well-known car rental agencies and ride-sharing companies.

Ferry

Historical SS Badger provides a shortcut across Lake Michigan between Ludington, Michigan, and Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The giant ship offers ferry services for passengers, cars, motorcycles and RVs.

The day I sailed from Wisconsin to Michigan, the water was placid and the sky was clear and dazzling.

Pro tip: If you need it, you can buy a single-serve package of Dramamine at the ferry office for your crossing.

Car

From Chicago, take I-94 to Milwaukee, then I-43 to Green Bay, then take Highway 57 north. Two alternative routes will take you through Door County: I-43 on the western side of the peninsula or I-57 on the Lake Michigan side.

From Minnesota and the Twin Cities, take I-94 to Highway 29 to Green Bay. Follow signs for Sturgeon Bay.

Getting around Door County

On land, no real public transportation serves Door County and its many rural communities. You’ll need to drive between towns due to the distance between them (or take a Segway or trolley tour as described below). Some ridesharing options may be available throughout the county.

Car ferry to Washington Island

The Ferry to Washington Island the line operates up to 25 round trips daily from Northport to Washington Island. The 30-minute ferry ride is a unique opportunity to photograph Plum, Pilot and Detroit Islands and experience the fall colors of these compact islands.

Ferry to Rock Island

Rock Island is the perfect place to camp among the fall vegetation, making it a truly unique experience. A passenger-only ferry runs daily from Washington Island to Rock Island. No vehicles or bicycles are allowed.

Segways

Segway tour of Washington Island with Segway tours through the door gives you a unique opportunity to see autumn leaves up close. I joined our guide and two other guests at the Washington Island ferry dock, where we received thorough training on how to ride a Segway before boarding the ferry.

We had perfect weather, although a little chilly, while riding the Segway through the trees and exploring the island.

Pro tip: Dress in layers for the ferry ride and Segway ride around the island.

Door County Cart

It will lend a hand you spend your best travel dollars Door County Cart, located in Egg Harbor on the main road. On a scenic, narrated tour, you’ll not only learn about Door County, but you’ll also be able to enjoy the dazzling colors of fall leaves without having to drive or contend with massive leaf-peeping traffic.

The narrated scenic tour lasts 1.5 hours and is the perfect place to start your fall foliage tour. One of the best stops is Peninsula State Park. Short stops at places overlooking the cliffs and viewing the Eagle Tower will allow you to get your bearings and plan a longer visit.

The guides at Door County Trolley are dedicated experts in all things DC and make for a great time. The strollers are immaculate and equipped with an proficient boarding and seating system. While they offer several tours, the narrated scenic tour should be your first. They also organize a lighthouse tour which includes the lighthouse on Cana Island.

Final thoughts

Door County boasts some of the most lovely fall foliage in the Midwest. The biggest festivals take place in October, along with leaf peepers, and this is also apple picking season. Although summer crowds begin to dwindle in the fall, weekends are busier than weekdays.

Here’s an article to start your visit to Door County.