Snowshoeing in Door County

Folks of all ages enjoy snowshoeing at The Ridges after a snowfall. Photo by Len Villano.

[Editor’s note: Story appeared first on the Door County Visitor Bureau Silent Sports Insider blog.]

Even in the dead of winter, there are opportunities for just about anyone to enjoy the outdoors in Door County. Snowshoeing, especially, is an easy, fun way to work up a winter sweat.

Many of the county’s state, county and town parks have snowshoeing trails, as do conserved properties like Crossroads at Big Creek, the Door County Land Trust properties and the Ridges Sanctuary.

Snowshoe rentals are available at Bay Shore Outfitters in Sister Bay and Sturgeon Bay, Ecology Sports in Sister Bay, The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor, Nor Door Sport and Cyclery in Fish Creek, the Door County YMCA in Sturgeon Bay and Fish Creek and on Sundays at Crossroads at Big Creek.

Make The Most of Your Snowshoeing Adventure:

• Dress in layers. You’ll get surprisingly warm, and might want to shed a few of those warm clothes.

• Take your friends. Snowshoeing is an easy activity, and great for kids and beginning exercisers.

• Get off the trail. Snowshoeing trails are great to get you started, but after they’ve been packed down they aren’t nearly as fun. You’re not actually allowed to go off designated trails in state and county parks or in most places, but Door County has plenty of beaches waiting to be tramped by snowshoes. My recommendations: The Ridges beach in Baileys Harbor and Potawatomi State Park.

• Find a place to warm up after. You’re in luck – yummy, warm beverages are a standby at most local coffee shops and restaurants. You won’t have to travel far to find your post-snowshoe warmup!

A Word of Warning:

While snowshoeing is a fun, easy activity, there are some things the contraptions simply won’t do, like allow you to walk backwards, run, or walk on open water. Please, especially do not try the last one.