Door County is one of the top Wisconsin tourist destinations, but sometimes, the big crowds that pack the county's villages make it seem like less than an escape. Fortunately, it’s not very hard to find your own quiet corner of the county. And if you’re willing to go the extra mile and take a ferry ride, you can find a pristine lake trail that’s simply remarkable. Little Lake Trail on Washington Island is a bit out of the way, but totally worth the trip.
At the far end of Door County, you’ll find Washington Island. There’s no bridge to the island, so you’ll need to take a ferry. You can get on a car ferry in Northport.
Once on the island, you’ll want to drive or bike from the ferry dock to the far northwest corner of the island. Here, you’ll find a landscape that’s simply remarkable.
There’s a serene little lake that’s been compared to Walden Pond. It’s the only inland lake on Washington Island. It’s only 250 feet from the Lake Michigan shoreline.
The little 33-acre lake was created thousands of years ago when an ancient Lake Michigan receded. It now stands three feet above Lake Michigan.
The Little Lake Nature Preserve protects the northern half of the lake and includes more than 5,000 feet of wild and beautiful shoreline that beckons explorers.
The natural area is teeming with wildlife, including waterfowl, migratory songbirds, pelicans, and eagles. An easy 1.6-mile out-and-back trail skirts the north side of the lake, and it’s the ideal way to experience this remarkable landscape.
Be sure to take time to explore the rest of the island while you're there. It just might be the most beautiful place in Wisconsin! Have you ever visited Little Lake and walked the beautiful trail there? Tell us about it in the comments!
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
