Best Places to Watch the Sunrise and Sunset in Door County

The Door County peninsula extends at a north-northeastern angle into Lake Michigan, making one half of the shoreline primarily west-facing and the other half primarily east-facing. The bay side and the lakeside therefore are excellent for viewing sunsets and sunrises, respectively. We have eight excellent places we recommend to enjoy this twice daily twilight - four for the early birds and four for the night owls!

Four Places to Watch the Sunrise

Cave Point County Park, Sturgeon Bay

Spectacular as it is on its own, the trails and cliffs at Cave Point take on an otherworldly aura when seen just as the sun is rising. Cave Point County Park opens at 6:00 am, so you may need to plan your viewing during early or late summer.

Rowley’s Bay

A stay at Rowley’s Bay Resort or the Wagon Trail Campground will put you in excellent position to spot a beautiful sunrise over Lake Michigan. Take a short walk down the road to Sand Bay Park and you will be in a prime location for those beautiful morning skies.

Ship Canal Pierhead, Sturgeon Bay

At the eastern entrance to the Sturgeon Bay Canal you will find the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Pierhead which provides beautiful Lake Michigan views made that much more spectacular by a sunrise. Follow the view with a hearty breakfast at Inn at Cedar Crossing open year round in downtown Sturgeon Bay.

Baileys Harbor

This relaxing harbor town has amazing sunrise views everywhere you go! Pack a breakfast picnic and bring a blanket to Anclam Town Park and tour the rest of the bay and catch the sunset by boat with The Shoreline Sightseeing Cruises.

Four Places to Watch the Sunset

Waterfront Park, Sister Bay

You won’t have trouble finding a spot on the shore at Door County’s largest public waterfront park offering over 1,900 feet of water access. The park features picnic tables, a large grassy lawn, a public pier and plenty of sand beach to walk along during the twilight hour.

Sunset Park, Fish Creek

As the name suggests, Sunset Park is a perfect place to watch sunsets. Located near downtown Fish Creek, you can enjoy dinner or a drink nearby before strolling down to see the sun go down at the water’s edge. Find a seat along the stone fence that lines the shore and soak it all in.

Skyline Road Overlooks, Peninsula State Park

Take a leisurely drive and savor the views from atop a tall bluff on Skyline Road in Peninsula State Park just south of Fish Creek. 

Make a pit stop at the lookout area of Sven’s Bluff to peer out across the water and find great views of the sunset around Chambers Island. 

The island is the second largest in Door County and even has an inland lake. Strawberry Islands are also visible; the four islands are named Adventure, Jack, Pirate and Little Strawberry. 

Anderson Dock, Ephraim

The graffitied boards of the house on Anderson Dock is an iconic Door County image, and it’s especially beautiful at sunset. The historical dock is an ideal perch for watching the sun set behind the peninsula. From the location of the dock, the sun will disappear behind the bluffs at Peninsula State Park and leave you with a sky full of colors.