Ellison Bay is a quiet Door County town offering beautiful hiking, paddling, and biking along Lake Michigan’s edge. Ideal for nature lovers seeking peaceful trails, lakeside views, and seasonal outdoor activities.
Ellison Bay is a quiet Door County town offering beautiful hiking, paddling, and biking along Lake Michigan’s edge. Ideal for nature lovers seeking peaceful trails, lakeside views, and seasonal outdoor activities.
Outdoor Adventure in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin
Situated on the scenic Green Bay shoreline, Ellison Bay, WI is an ideal destination for outdoor lovers seeking quiet and natural beauty. This small town in Door County provides access to pristine parks, forested trails, and lakefront paddling.
Discover the unique natural wonders, summits, and scenic landmarks that make Ellison Bay, Wisconsin special.
★ 7.8⌖ 12.14 milesEnjoy camping at Fish Creek Pond Campground in Lake Placid. Perfect for families, this spot offers fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and nearby hiking. Best visited in spring or fall, the area is busy in summer. No access for wheelchairs.
★ 8.7⌖ 22.86 milesExplore the dramatic cliffs and serene lakeside views at Cave Point County Park in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Ideal for hiking and kayaking, this spot is accessible by car and offers rewarding photography opportunities.
★ 7.8⌖ 23.20 milesModerateExplore Whitefish Dunes State Park near Sturgeon Bay, WI. This moderate park features hiking trails through forest and dunes, sandy beaches for swimming, and fossil viewing along Lake Michigan. Well-suited for families and nature lovers seeking a peaceful outdoor escape May to early fall.
★ 7.8⌖ 26.95 milesExplore Bayshore Blufflands State Natural Area near Sturgeon Bay, WI. Ideal for hiking and bird watching, enjoy stunning views and tranquil settings this spring and fall. Perfect for photographers seeking natural beauty.
★ 8.8⌖ 31.53 milesModerateExplore the Eastern Terminus of the Ice Age Trail near Sturgeon Bay, WI, offering a moderate hike through glacial landscapes. Enjoy wildlife viewing, bird watching, and nearby kayaking from late spring to early fall in a peaceful natural setting.
★ 7.8⌖ 31.75 milesModeratePotawatomi State Park near Sturgeon Bay offers moderate lakeside hiking with forest and wetland views, peaceful beaches for swimming, and calm waters ideal for canoeing. Best visited from spring to early fall, it combines outdoor recreation with quiet nature observation.
★ 5.6⌖ 31.90 milesEasyExplore the easy, scenic trail at Crossroads At Big Creek near Sturgeon Bay, WI. This peaceful landmark features a meadow-to-forest transition perfect for hiking, birdwatching, and nature observation. Ideal spring to fall for quiet walks and wildlife spotting.
★ 5.8⌖ 33.35 milesEasySturgeon Bay Canal Trail West offers an easy, flat trail along calm canal waters near Sturgeon Bay, WI. Enjoy kayaking, fishing, and birdwatching in a peaceful waterfront setting ideal for beginner paddlers and nature lovers during spring and fall.
★ 6.8⌖ 33.63 milesEasyExplore Sturgeon Bay Canal Trail East near Sturgeon Bay, WI, featuring easy hiking trails along calm canal waters and forested areas. Enjoy bird watching, kayaking, and nature photography in a peaceful setting ideal from late spring to early fall.
★ 6.2⌖ 33.93 milesLocated at Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal in Wisconsin, this easy access historical lighthouse offers scenic boating views, fishing, and shoreline walking. Best visited May to October, it’s ideal for photographers and nature lovers seeking calm waters and maritime history.
★ 7.2⌖ 34.08 milesEasyLocated near Sturgeon Bay, WI, this easy-access coastal preserve offers calm shorelines for bird watching, kayaking, and fishing. Visit during spring and fall migrations to enjoy active wildlife and quiet natural beauty along Lake Michigan’s Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal.
★ 5.5⌖ 38.69 milesEasyLegacy Nature Preserve at Clay Banks in Sturgeon Bay, WI offers easy lakeshore walking along sandy and rocky beaches with great bird watching and photography. Quiet and natural, it’s best visited in spring and fall for calm views and migrating birds.
Discover the top adventure activities and curated experiences in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin, verified by our editors to help you make the most of your trip.
Book unforgettable outdoor adventures, guided tours, and gear rentals with verified Local Experts in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin.
⌖ 0.0 miA focused, expert-led 4-hour field day that pairs an illustrated presentation with a guided hike on Plum Island to study the globally significant Niagara Escarpment.
⌖ 0.0 miA private 5–6 hour tour from Ellison Bay that combines a coastal cruise past Niagara Escarpment cliffs, Boyers Bluff Light and—when conditions allow—the Louisiana shipwreck, with 2–3 hours ashore for hiking and historic sites.
⌖ 0.0 miA private 7–8 hour small‑group cruise departing The Shoreline Resort Marina that puts preserved iron‑smelting buildings, limestone cliffs and cliff‑top panoramas within reach.
⌖ 0.0 miA guided, four‑hour photography workshop on Plum Island that combines hands‑on instruction with a walking tour of natural and historic maritime sites while supporting local preservation efforts.
⌖ 2.3 miA three-hour guided kayak along the Door Bluff County Park shore that visits the Schooner Fleetwing shipwreck and Native American pictographs—useful for planning logistics, what you’ll see, and who this trip suits.
⌖ 2.8 miA 4.5-hour, half-day guided kayak crossing from Jackson Harbor on Washington Island to Rock Island led by a certified Wisconsin Master Naturalist, with a picnic lunch and a visit to the historic Thordarson Boathouse.
A 2-hour tall-ship charter aboard the Edith M Becker offering hands-on sailing or relaxed sightseeing on the waters of Door County.
⌖ 3.3 miA two-hour, ages-14-and-up guided kayak eco-tour of the Mink River Estuary that pairs close-up wildlife viewing with expert naturalist interpretation.
⌖ 3.8 miA concise guide to the Custom Private Sunset Cruise from Ellison Bay — what you’ll see on a 2.5-hour voyage and how to decide if it’s the right evening outing for your group.
⌖ 4.9 miBoard the Passage North for public day or sunset sails — or book a private outing — on a modern Cal40 operated by Sail Door County.
⌖ 4.9 miA private charter aboard White Wings — a beautifully maintained Pearson Rhodes 41' operated by Sail Door County — this guide distills what the verified data shows about the vessel and booking basics.
⌖ 8.1 miRent stable beginner boards or inflatable paddleboards that convert to kayaks at a Jacksonport shop — this guide explains choices, costs, and how to get on the water.
⌖ 8.2 miA 2.5–3 hour outing from Gills Rock aboard THE SHORELINE that combines a brief crossing, a docent-led landing on Plum Island and close views of Pilot Island Lighthouse and historic coastal sites.
⌖ 8.3 miA guided 4-hour cruise from Shoreline Resort across Death’s Door to a wildlife refuge where participants net, tag, and release monarch butterflies while contributing real scientific data.
⌖ 8.8 miA full zipline canopy tour through 20 acres of treetops — including a 150-foot suspension bridge, water crossing and a dual-race finish — this guide explains what to expect and how to prepare.
Make the most of your visit to Ellison Bay, Wisconsin with these essential planning tips, seasonal events, and protected lands.
Ellison Bay, Wisconsin hosts celebrated events throughout the year showcasing the region's culture, outdoor lifestyle, and community spirit.
Experience the vibrancy and unique outdoor heritage of Ellison Bay, Wisconsin during the iconic Door County Half Marathon & 5K. Plan accommodations and permits early.
Experience the vibrancy and unique outdoor heritage of Ellison Bay, Wisconsin during the iconic Ellison Bay Music Festivals. Plan accommodations and permits early.
Experience the vibrancy and unique outdoor heritage of Ellison Bay, Wisconsin during the iconic Door County Birding Festival. Plan accommodations and permits early.
Ellison Bay, Wisconsin is surrounded by incredible protected natural lands offering pristine trails, wildlife habitats, and wilderness conservation.
Peninsula State Park is one of Wisconsin's largest and most visited state parks, offering diverse outdoor activities along the beautiful coastline of Green Bay.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a stunning protected area on the northeast shore of Lake Michigan, renowned for its massive sand dunes and scenic vistas. It offers visitors an array of outdoor activities set against the breathtaking backdrop of clear blue waters and verdant forests.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore stretches along Lake Superior’s southern shoreline, offering dramatic multicolored sandstone cliffs, pristine beaches, and lush forests perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
Bring layers as weather near the lake can be cool and windy, even in summer.
Reserve lodging early during summer and fall tourist season.
Check local regulations and seasonal access for paddling and trail use.
Plan for limited cell service in some natural areas.
Visit early morning or late afternoon for best wildlife viewing.
Always check local regulations, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and weather forecasts before setting out on any adventure in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin. Respect nature, wildlife, and fellow adventurers by following Leave No Trace principles.