8 Spectacular Door County Winter Landscapes to Photograph
Published
Last updated
Amateur and professional photographers alike can discover a world of unique beauty in the winter landscape of Door County. Just like each snowflake, each winter is different, and spectacular new visual discoveries emerge as the days and weeks of winter wear on, creating many photograph ideas.
Explore the peninsula in winter through your camera lens, and you’ll be awed by what you find. Snow and ice transform the views everywhere, so here are some well-known locations to capture wintertime magic, along with handy tips and tricks from local professional photographer Dan Eggert.
The Ice-Covered Bay and Icy Lakeside Shores
The Door County landscape is defined by the peninsula, the islands, and the hundreds of miles of shoreline, which all take on a whole new look when the temperatures drop, and water begins to freeze — perfect for inspiring new photo ideas this winter. On the western shores of the peninsula lies the waters of Green Bay, which fully freeze over during winter. This is where you may find “ice shoves,” which are sizeable protruding ice pieces that jut skyward and sometimes come ashore.
“Ice shoves are just gorgeous,” said Eggert. “Although they can happen anytime that ice is forming, the big ones usually happen at the end of winter when the ice is thawing and breaking up. The thaw with the shifting wind shoves the ice into shore, sometimes over
30’ high.”
On the lake side, you won’t find a lake frozen over, but you and your camera will find ice that extends into the waters of Lake Michigan. The ice slowly forms as cold water rolls toward land in waves. The ice starts as small shelves on the bay, and layers grow through the winter months. Large bays along the shore can also freeze over, creating white-blanketed pockets of the lake.
PHOTO BY DAN EGGERT - BOYERS BLUFF ICE SHOVE WASHINGTON ISLAND
Snow-Covered Forests
The lush evergreens found in state parks, natural areas, and along Door County’s roadways become an iconic winter scene with winter snow after a big snowstorm. Or, in light snow or dry days, the branches glisten with the frozen, sparkling water drops. Take a hike once there has been good snow coverage and marvel at the sound-insulating qualities snow has. When the sun is shining, listen for the dripping of melting snow and the dropping of snow piles as trees shed the weight from their branches. Not all parks and trails are open in winter, so be sure to research before venturing out. Here’s a list of year-round Door County hiking spots:
“My favorite landscape to photograph with a drone is ice-covered bays. With low snow years, the ice cracks don’t get covered up so quickly, and the ice is gorgeous,” said Eggert.
PHOTO BY MIKE TITTEL - WHITEFISH DUNES STATE PARK
Quaint Snow-Covered Towns
Watch as an old-time postcard comes to life when the villages of Door County don a white blanket of snow. The famous views of Eagle Harbor in Ephraim will take you back to yesteryear with the white historic buildings and hillsides dotted with picturesque homes. Hike out on the frozen bay to get a new perspective and take great winter photos of Fish Creek, Sister Bay, Sturgeon Bay, and Egg Harbor.
PHOTO BY DAN EGGERT - EPHRAIM SUNSET ICE DRONE
Sunrises at the Sturgeon Bay Canal
While the bay and portions of the canal freeze over, an ice-breaker boat keeps a channel open for the winter fleet arrivals. The southern canal opening is marked by two lighthouses on either side: the Sturgeon Bay Canal North Pierhead Light and the Sturgeon Bay Canal Lighthouse. Both are beautiful sights to watch the sunrise over the lake; the rising sun glistens off the water and icy shores, making for a spectacular start to the day and a fantastic
winter photo.
PHOTO BY JOHN NIENHUIS - STURGEON BAY CANAL LIGHT
Annual Winter Fleet Arrival
Every winter, the winter fleet arrives at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, also known as the “Shipbuilding Capital of the Great Lakes,” where these impressive vessels will receive winterizing, repairs and upgrades. While entering the shipyard is not permitted, you can witness this incredible spectacle with unparalleled views from both sides of the bay and get a bird’s eye view from the Door County Maritime Museum Lighthouse Tower, making this location a prime spot for winter photos.
PHOTO BY DAN EGGERT - SHIPYARD WINTER
More Magnificent Lighthouses
Door County boasts 11 historic lighthouses. These maritime marvels are beautiful any time of year but are particularly striking against a backdrop of white snow. While not all of these structures are accessible during winter in Door County, there are a few you can see up close. Baileys Harbor Range Lights is an iconic structure built in 1869 and located in Baileys Harbor Ridges County Park. The striking bright red North Pierhead Light is a popular beacon located at the fully operational U.S. Coast Guard station on the Lake Michigan end of the Sturgeon Bay ship canal. Eagle Bluff Lighthouse is a tribute to the keepers who kept the lamp burning on many a dark and stormy night. While the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse Museum is closed in the winter, you can still go to the lighthouse.
PHOTO BY MIKE TITTEL - BAILEYS HARBOR RANGE LIGHT
Sunsets on the Bay
Sunsets also have a different aura during the winter, with an ethereal glow reflecting from the ice-covered lake as the sun lowers into the horizon. The western shoreline is a top spot for winter photos and has plenty of places to take in the sunset, but Sister Bay, Fish Creek, and the shores within Peninsula State Park make particularly good vantage points. Climb up to Sven’s Bluff in the park for views of Chambers and the Strawberry Islands, which are surrounded
by ice.
PHOTO BY DAN EGGERT - SUNSET ICE
Cave Point
Cave Point, one of Door County’s most popular sites to visit in the summertime, is equally (if not more) beautiful in the winter! The rock formations at Cave Point County Park jut out over Lake Michigan to form watery caverns and caves formed by the waves below. When the waves are crashing, you’ll see water spray in all directions, and in the winter, it results in unbelievable ice formations on the rocks and overhangs. Use caution, as rocks are slippery when wet or covered with ice. Even better, bring a drone to capture photos of Cave Point.
“While you cannot fly a drone in a State Park, Cave Point is located in County Point County Park, where drones are permitted,” said Eggert. “It’s possible to take amazing photos of this area without putting yourself at risk in the ice and cold.”
PHOTO BY DAN EGGERT - SUNSET ICE
The Windy Road
A beautiful and serene drive in any season, the windy road that makes 15 curves north toward the Washington Island ferry dock is a snowy dreamscape in wintertime and a famous spot to photograph. This Door County road is bordered on both sides by tall forests and, when covered in snow, provides a stark contrast with the winding roadway. The view at the dock is also a treat, especially when the ferry is docking for one of its two daily trips from the island.
Now that you know where to take photos of Door County in the winter, discover best practices from this local photographer who has been capturing winter scenes in Door County for over 20 years.
Dan Eggert’s Winter Photography Tips
General Preparation
Warm Car Setup: Use a vehicle as a mobile base with space for changing clothes and warming up.
Layered Clothing: Dress in warm, thick wool socks and appropriate layers for unpredictable durations outdoors.
Extra Gear: Carry extra clothes in case you get wet.
Restaurants and Amenities: Plan meals and stops ahead and pack food, as many businesses have reduced winter hours.
Drone Photography Tips
Know the Rules: Avoid flying drones in State Parks. Permits are primarily issued to professional media photographers. County parks do allow drones.
Battery Warmth: Keep drone batteries warm on heated car seats or in a bag with hand warmers to prevent voltage drops that could cause your drone to fall.
Limit Distance: Fly close and limit time in freezing temperatures to ensure you can retrieve the drone safely.
PHOTO BY DAN EGGERT - CAVE POINT
Safety Tips
Ice Safety: Always wear ice cleats and carry ice picks on strings under your jacket when venturing onto ice. Ice is never 100% safe, even if it seems thick. Eggert points out that wearing ice cleats is also helpful for winter hiking.
Avoid Climbing Ice Shoves: These formations may be hollow underneath, potentially leading to dangerous falls.
Stay Prepared: Have a rope for emergencies, and always assume ice conditions are variable.
Photography-Specific Gear
Winter Photographer Gloves: Use gloves with removable finger and thumb tips to better control camera settings.
Battery Care: Keep camera batteries warm while you are outside. Eggert says putting them in your armpits (not on your bare skin) is effective, or you can place hand warmers in your camera bag to maintain their charge longer.
Lens Maintenance: Warm the lens slightly to prevent fogging when shooting in conditions close to the dew point.
About Contributor Dan Eggert
Dan Eggert is a professional photographer with more than 25 years of experience capturing the beauty of Door County, Wisconsin. A former photojournalist and editor for the Peninsula Pulse and Door County Living, Eggert now works as a freelance photographer specializing in real estate, lifestyle, events, fine art, and his personal favorites: night sky and landscape photography. After earning his FAA Drone Certification in 2017, he added aerial photography to his repertoire, showcasing Door County's natural beauty from new perspectives. A skilled bass player, he occasionally joins Door County bands, proving his belief that art and life are deeply intertwined.
PHOTO BY DAN EGGERT
Sign up today!
Visit Door County virtually with monthly newsletter updates. Each issue is jam-packed with vacation ideas, special offers, recipes, festivals, events, and more.
