On the Lake Michigan side of the peninsula, south of Jacksonport, two neighboring parks show the lake at its wildest. Cave Point County Park is a short stretch of limestone cliffs where waves have carved caves and ledges into the rock. On a windy day the surf booms into the hollows and sends spray high into the air, and on a calm day the clear water invites photographers, divers and kayakers. Right beside it, Whitefish Dunes State Park has the tallest sand dunes on the Wisconsin shore of Lake Michigan, a broad beach and a network of trails through dune, forest and wetland. A boardwalk and trails link the two parks, so visitors usually see them together, and a short walk along the shore separates the rock from the sand. The shoreline is a pleasure to hike at any pace. The Whitefish Dunes trails climb through the dunes to overlooks, run along the beach and pass through woods that are home to birds and wildflowers, and the park has an interpretive center with exhibits on the dunes and the area's long human history. The dunes themselves are fragile, so visitors keep to the marked trails and boardwalks. For a different way to see the area, a Segway tour of Cave Point and Whitefish Dunes is available, which covers the ground quickly and comes with a guide to explain the geology and the ecology. It is a good option for travelers who want to see more of the shoreline than they could on a short walk, or who like a fun, wheeled way to explore.
Planning the visit
Cave Point County Park is free to enter, while Whitefish Dunes State Park generally requires a Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker. Check the park's page for current conditions, because trails and beach areas can change. The parks are about a 30 to 40 minute drive from Sturgeon Bay, and Jacksonport is the nearest village for lunch. Allow at least two hours for a visit that includes a walk between the parks, and half a day if you want to hike the dunes and swim.
The Segway option
The Cave Point and Whitefish Dunes Segway tour is a guided experience with training before you set off, so beginners are welcome. Segway tours generally have age, weight and ability limits, so check the product page for the current requirements and the duration before you book. Wear closed-toe shoes, bring water and dress for the lake breeze. Because tour details can change with the season, confirm the meeting point and times when you book.
Safety and etiquette
The cliffs at Cave Point are slippery when wet and the lake is unpredictable, with large waves and cold water. Stay back from the edge, keep children close and follow posted warnings. Swimming at the dunes beach is possible in summer, but the water is cold and conditions can change. Leave the dunes as you found them, stay on the paths and take your litter with you. In winter, ice formations at the caves are spectacular, but access and safety are more limited.
Making it count
Go early on a summer weekend to avoid the crowds, or visit on a windy day for the most dramatic waves. Combine the visit with the Ridges Sanctuary and Cana Island to cover the lake coast in one day, and stop in Jacksonport for lunch. Bring a camera, a windbreaker, a swimsuit and a towel in July, and a thermos in October. It is one of the most photogenic stretches of coast in the Midwest.
What to expect
The experience
A walk or guided Segway tour along the Lake Michigan shore, from the limestone cliffs and sea caves of Cave Point to the dunes and beach of Whitefish Dunes State Park.
Best time
A windy day for dramatic surf at Cave Point, or a calm summer morning for the beach and dunes.
How long
Two hours for a walk between the parks, half a day with hiking and swimming; check the Segway tour for its own length.
Tips
Stay back from the wet cliffs, buy a state park sticker for the dunes, wear closed shoes for the Segway and keep to the trails.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Photographers, hikers and anyone who wants Door County's wild Lake Michigan shore.
- Families
- Children love the caves and beach, but keep them well back from the cliff edge.
- Couples
- A scenic walk or Segway ride, ideal around sunrise or in the golden hour.
- Pair with
- Cana Island, Ridges Sanctuary or lunch in Jacksonport.
- Time needed
- Two hours to half a day.
Good questions
Where are Cave Point and Whitefish Dunes?+
They are adjacent parks on the Lake Michigan side of Door County, south of Jacksonport, linked by a walking path.
Do I have to pay to visit?+
Cave Point County Park is free, while Whitefish Dunes State Park generally requires a Wisconsin state park vehicle sticker.
Is there a Segway tour?+
Yes. A guided Cave Point and Whitefish Dunes Segway tour is available. Check the product page for age, weight and time requirements.
Can you swim at the dunes?+
Swimming is possible at the beach in summer, but the water is cold and conditions can change quickly, so be cautious.
Is Cave Point safe for children?+
The cliffs are slippery when wet and the surf can be powerful, so keep children close and well back from the edge.