Extended Weekend Getaways The Door Peninsula has 19 established communities as well as other small villages, unincorporated towns, and even a few small but visitable islands, all interconnected by the simple (and scenic) Door County Coastal Byway system. Each destination has its own distinct community, culture, and style with its own charms and natural and scenic offerings, but each one is all-but-guaranteed to stoke your interest and inspire your wanderlust.
Motorized winter vehicles allow you to see miles and miles of the snowy, rustic countryside in just a few hours. Door County’s snowmobile trails connect every corner of the county, including rural restaurants and downtown districts. With more than 250 miles of state and club trails, your snowmobile can take you through every kind of landscape, and, with most trails traveling through private land, snowmobiling allows you to access some parts of the peninsula that you can’t experience any other time of year. Our three choices?
- Ahnapee State Trail: This 50-mile stretch of state-owned trail beginning in Green Bay travels all the way past the southern county line. Experience evergreen glades, farmland, prairies, and wooded areas in their softer, whiter winter state.
- Potawatomi State Park: The state allows snowmobiling up and down the Niagara Escarpment in Potawatomi State Park, just outside of Sturgeon Bay. Easily connected to the rest of Door County’s trail system, it’s a great place to enjoy the snow.
- Baileys Harbor to Sister Bay: Travel north from Baileys Harbor and pass through parts of Mud Lake State Wildlife Area, which is nearly inaccessible in the muggy warmer months. The trail system will take you straight into the heart of Sister Bay for some post-ride food and drink.
Another great winter choice to view the scenery is an ATV. Door County’s 60 miles of ATV routes are paved roads that meander through four communities in Southern Door County—Nasewaupee, Gardner, Union, and Brussels—and around the entire 23 square miles of Washington Island.
The route in Southern Door takes riders past gorgeous viewpoints along the shores of Green Bay and connects to communities with stops for food, drinks, shopping, and more. But the routes are also secluded enough that riders can enjoy peace, quiet, and solitude if they so choose. Washington Island’s 80+ miles of public roads are open to ATV and UTV use. Riders can bring their own vehicles to the island via the ferry. Traversing the island, you’ll find beaches, lake views, scenic backroads, and deep green forests. Need to rent? Island Adventure Company is located just a few steps off the ferry.
Stay the whole weekend and make reservations at the Eagle Harbor Inn, a quaint B&B located in the historic district of Ephraim. Here, you will find premium bedding, spacious rooms, excellent service, a great location and waterfront views. Ask for the “Magical Winter Package.” Find solace in the beauty of Door County’s winter outdoors while romancing in one of the Whirlpool Suites. Dinner out for two is included in this package. Then return to a selection of sweets and tarts on the Dessert Board.. A two or more night stay is required for this package. Other packages available offer a welcoming chilled bubbly, chocolate truffles, custom soaps & loofah, then the next morning, breakfast in bed. For reservations or more information, visit https://www.eagleharborinn.com/door-county-packages/