Rowleys Bay, Wisconsin
Explore Stunning Natural Beauty in Rowleys Bay
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From orchards and farms to some of the Wisconsin’s best birding, Door County is a nature-lover’s dream in fall.
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Ecological Wonder on the Peninsula's North End
Rowleys Bay, a community within the town Liberty Grove, sits on the edge of the Mink River Estuary, one of Wisconsin’s most diverse and important wildlife habitats. This makes Rowleys Bay a phenomenal location for hiking, kayaking, fishing, and birding, which may be why Fodor’s named it one of the "500 places to see before they disappear" in 2009.
You’ll find miles of trails, few distractions, and no crowds in this northern lakeside hamlet named for Peter Rowley who settled here in 1835, nearly 150 years after French missionaries first visited in the late 1600s.
Rowleys Bay Restaurants
Rowleys Bay Resort is famous for its fish boil, where the story is a big part of the show. You can also enjoy a cozy pub, a modern bakery, and great pastries from Grandma’s Swedish Bakery.
Rowleys Bay Lodging
In addition to quiet vacation home options, you’ll find a campground, cabins, and Rowleys Bay Resort, located at the mouth of the Mink River Estuary.
Things to Do in Rowleys Bay
Rowleys Bay is an ideal place to base your ecological adventure. Take a kayak or canoe up the Mink River and watch for birds, rare plants, and other wildlife. Hike miles of trails, find a perch to write or read in absolute solitude, or join the crowds for an authentic Door County fish boil.
Deeper Dive: Rowleys Bay
4 Must-Dos in Rowleys Bay
1. Paddle
The Mink River Estuary is one of the most important fresh-water estuaries in the world and a beautiful place to paddle when the bugs aren’t out.
2. Put your eyes to the sky
The rich habitat of the bay and surrounding woodlands draws hosts of migrating birds.
3. Get up in the trees
Ziplines are a thrilling way to get a new perspective on the woods or a town, and the views can't be beat.
4. Get on the water
Whether you’re boating or fishing, there’s nothing quite like seeing Door County from the water.
5. Hit up Newport State Park
Wisconsin's only wilderness state park is located minutes from Rowleys Bay and offers a world of remote hiking trails, hike-in campsites, and stunning lake and shoreline views.
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