5 places to take in Door County's fall colors

Rebecca Loroff, Green Bay Press-Gazette
Updated ·3 min read

While Door County's busiest tourism season is over, it's still considered a destination for visitors as the days grow shorter and cooler.

The region often makes the list of top places in the country to visit to take in autumn leaves, receiving kudos in Trips to Discover, a USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice poll and the AARP Travel Center.

"We are always thrilled when Door County is recognized nationally with other great destinations," said Jen Rogers, senior media specialist with Destination Door County.

Rogers also said that because Door County is a long, narrow, peninsula, "the fall colors linger a little longer, so it allows a greater chance to catch the beautiful autumn colors."

We're only a week or two away from seeing the area's full autumn glory. Both Travel Wisconsin's Fall Color Report and Smoky Mountains' Fall Foliage Prediction Map estimate Door County's foliage will peak in the second week in October.

Here are five of the area's best places for planning your next leaf-spotting day trip.

Door County Coastal Byway

An overhead view of the Door County Coastal Byway on Oct. 14, 2021.
An overhead view of the Door County Coastal Byway on Oct. 14, 2021.

The Coastal Byway travels the coasts of Door County in a 66-mile loop on State 42 and 57. It starts just north of Sturgeon Bay and takes you to Northport and Gills Rock, stopping in towns like Baileys Harbor, Sister Bay, Fish Creek and Egg Harbor. In between, the road winds along the east and west coast of Door County, allowing you to take in both the forests and lakes.

Peninsula State Park

The foliage in Peninsula State Park shows off its fall colors. A recent article on a national travel website named Door County as one of the 20 best places in the U.S. to view fall colors.
The foliage in Peninsula State Park shows off its fall colors. A recent article on a national travel website named Door County as one of the 20 best places in the U.S. to view fall colors.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, many consider Peninsula State Park, 9462 Shore Road in Fish Creek, to be "the most complete park" in the state. There's something for everyone — golfing, fishing, hunting, camping or simply hiking along the trails to Sven's Bluff for a view of the bay framed in fall color.

The Ridges Sanctuary

A lighthouse stands at the Ridges Sanctuary Oct. 18, 2018 in Baileys Harbor, Wis.
A lighthouse stands at the Ridges Sanctuary Oct. 18, 2018 in Baileys Harbor, Wis.

The Ridges Sanctuary at 8166 State 57 in Baileys Harbor is one of the oldest land trusts, or property set aside for conservation, in the state of Wisconsin. It encompasses over 1,600 acres and is home to rare and endangered plants, birds and insects. While you're taking in the autumn colors, you can also check out the Baileys Harbor Range Lights, historical lighthouses that still help boaters navigate this part of Lake Michigan.

Ellison Bluff County Park

An overhead view of Ellison Bluff County Park, taken Oct. 31, 2021 in Liberty Grove, Wis.
An overhead view of Ellison Bluff County Park, taken Oct. 31, 2021 in Liberty Grove, Wis.

Ellison Bluff County Park at 12050 Ellison Bluff Road, Liberty Grove, is home to many different kinds of trees that grow in cliff crevices, including mountain maples, basswood and white cedar. A stairway leads to a scenic overlook that gives visitors a view of the bluffs, the bay of Green Bay and surrounding islands.

Potawatomi State Park

A trail view taken Oct. 22, 2021 at Potawatomi State Forest in Sturgeon Bay, Wis.
A trail view taken Oct. 22, 2021 at Potawatomi State Forest in Sturgeon Bay, Wis.

This park at 3740 Park Drive in Sturgeon Bay boasts 1,200 acres of forest, providing views from limestone cliffs looking out onto Sturgeon Bay. It's also the eastern end of the Ice Age Trail, which runs 1,600 miles and ends at the St. Croix River in Minnesota.

Did we miss your favorite Door County spot? Contact Rebecca Loroff at rloroff@gannett.com.

Contributing: Christopher Clough.

Rebecca Loroff is a breaking and trending news reporter for northeastern Wisconsin. Contact her with story tips and feedback at rloroff@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: 5 places to see Door County, Wisconsin's peak fall colors in 2023