Door County Coastal Byway

Grandview Overlook rests atop the Niagara Escarpment bluffs of Ellison Bay, Wisconsin looking northward. The scarlet and bittersweet autumn foliage is interspersed with Brunswick-green cedar trees. The foliage, Kelly-green slopes and golden shorelines all provide a spectacular contrast against backdrops of darkening periwinklepink skies and the ultramarine waters of Green Bay near sunset.

Two cyclists have stopped at the entrance to Harborview Park to admire the harbor and waterviews. The Park’s entrance looks like a stone pavilion that is surrounded by flowers.

A panoramic view of the Egg Harbor Marina where sailboats and powerboats are docked for summertime fun.

A group of people are watching the sun set over the marina and the Bay of Green Bay from Harborview Park.

The Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center features exhibits focusing on the cultural and natural history of the Ridges Sanctuary for children and adults.

The Ridges Sanctuary is named for its distinctive topography, a series of 30 ridges and swales formed by the movement of Lake Michigan over the past 1400 years, creating Wisconsin’s most biologically diverse ecosystem.

A universal access boardwalk adjacent to the Ridge’s nature center is one of the features that helps ensure visitors of all abilities are able to experience this remarkable place.

Moonlight Beach is 5-acres of undisturbed dolomite stones which are periodically covered and exposed, depending on Lake Michigan water levels.

At Baileys Harbor Marina, a father and his three sons proudly display the six brown trout they caught.

The Door County Pond Hockey champion team proudly displays their trophy, the Stanley Thermos.

Near Kangaroo Lake, these snowmobilers are taking part in the annual Vintage Snowmobile Ride.

The sand at Lakeside Park seems to be a bronze metallic color in the setting sun while the driftwood and Niagara Escarpment rocks are all the same dark brown hue. Together, these elements are a very serene landscape.

A buoy with the words, “historical dive” is tethered to a boat, letting other boats and water enthusiasts know that there are scuba divers nearby.

A scuba diver explores the waters of Lake Michigan.

A calm and serene sand beach at Whitefish Dunes State Park.

These groomed cross-country ski trails at Whitefish Dunes State Park are ready for skiers wanting a serene forest experience.

The Town of Sevastopol’s informational kiosk and benches are inviting the traveler to stop and spend time learning about what makes this town unique. The kiosk’s stone base pays tribute the Niagara Escarpment which covers much of Door County, while the posts evoke the maritime tradition and the bright blue steel roofs are meant to mimic wave actions.

A woman is running past a rock outcropping and trees with golden leaves. She is participating in the Fall 50 road race, set against the colorful backdrop of Door County, Wisconsin during peak Fall colors.

Pebble Beach is named for the smooth, long, wide limestone pebbles that cover the beach. The Beach’s beautiful views, extraordinary shoreline and cedar forest have been preserved for all to enjoy.

An aerial shot of the Sister Bay shoreline shows the sandy beachfront dotted with towels and umbrellas. The Sister Bay Marina is also visible.

This is a close up of Sister Bay Beach in the summertime. Guests can take advantage of the sandy shore, the swim pier, raft, and locker room.

An aerial view the Mink River Estuary, one of the most pristine freshwater estuaries in the country, which is formed from the combination of waters from Lake Michigan and the Mink River.

A view of Baileys Harbor Boreal Forest and Wetlands. The local climate has allowed northern a boreal forest to thrive here, far south of their normal location.

A view of one of the wetlands of the Three Springs Nature Preserve, named for the springs and creek that meander through the property.

The Grandview Park, situated atop an escarpment bluff, provides unobstructed views of Green Bay and is perfect for viewing sunsets or enjoying fall colors.

The 74-acre Ellison Bluff County Park has a wooden walkway that leads safely an overlook near the edge of a sheer 100-foot Niagara Escarpment limestone bluff providing breathtaking views of the Bay of Green Bay.

Ellison Bay Community Park provides access to the waters of Ellison Bay and features a sand swimming beach, pier fishing, and a silent water sport launch.

A panoramic view of Door Bluff, which is a major promontory of the Niagara Escarpment that has several habitats of ecological interest as well as a hardwood forest with trees approaching 100 years old.

A scuba diver is exploring the historically significant ruins of the Fleetwing schooner that sank in 1888 near what is now Door Bluff Headlands Park.

Newport State Park has been designated as a Dark Sky Park, one of 18 in the United States and only the second one in the Midwest because of its location on the far end of the Door Peninsula and on the shores of Lake Michigan. Casual stargazers to astronomers come to view such natural phenomena such as the Northern Lights and meteor showers.

Hikers on a fall hike through the woods using one of the many trails at Newport State Park.

Snow and driftwood on the shore of Europe Lake contrast with the blue water and conifers.

Bicyclists and other passengers are waiting at the Northport Ferry Dock to take a boat ride to Washington Island where they can explore the island with their bikes, or on foot or by trolley.

A group of motorcyclists riding two-wheeled and three-wheeled bikes are enjoying the 15 curves of a segment of Wisconsin Highway 42. The highway’s configuration is perfect for recreational drivers to enjoy the beauty of the natural world in all seasons.

A passenger ferry is en-route to Washington Island, providing travelers with panoramic views of the coastline ablaze with fall colors.

In 2018, a local scuba diving club partnered with the town to construct a 30 foot stainless steel stairway, providing access up and down the bluff thereby making the park more user friendly for all visitors and recreationists.

This is a drone view of the shoreline and the 30 foot stainless steel stairway at Porte des Morts Park built on escarpment rock and nestled between vegetation.

A tourist is reading the informational kiosk about the rough waters, unpredictable weather and hidden shoals caused numerous shipwrecks at Death’s Door Straight which links Lake Michigan and the Bay of Green Bay.

Two cyclists are biking past the historic Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek Wisconsin.

Two joggers are running past Sven’s Overlook showing views of the coastline and the waters of Green Bay atop of an escarpment bluff.

Two Kayakers are viewing the majestic 250-foot Eagle Bluff from the water. This limestone cliff now covered with trees is part of the Niagara Escarpment and was formed about 430 million years ago.

Kayakers are paddling by the 228-acre Door Bluff Headlands Park, the most northerly and largest county park on the peninsula with approximately 6,800 feet of shoreline.

The sign within the State Natural Area lets visitors know that they are hiking in Toft Point which has been also designated as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service and as a Wetlands of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention.

Hiking the Toft Point State Natural Area in winter provides a different perspective with the white snow contrasting with the deciduous trees and evergreens.

A kayaker is exploring one of the caves or coves created by centuries’ worth of waves crashing into the rocks at Cave Point County Park which are not accessible or visible from shore.

The glistening snow and the ice formation made from the freezing spray against the rocks at the tip of Cave Point Park provides for a stunning and memorable winter hike.

A kayaker glides past the tip of Cave Point Park in the fall when the deciduous trees are turning color and the waters of Lake Michigan are calm and smooth.

A hiking path meanders through the at Whitefish Dunes State Park beech forest where the tree`s yellow foliage contrast with the green of the plants that carpet the ground in fall.

One of Wisconsin’s iconic red barns, surrounded by a blue sky and green grass is being painted in Plein Aire (outdoors) in the town of Sevastopol.