Every year in March I make the drive down to Madison, Wisconsin to present at Canoecopia. It’s one of the largest paddle sport shows in Wisconsin and a great place for paddlers to check out the latest trips, newest gear and the exciting updates in the paddling industry. This year, I had the opportunity to present “Door County: A Paddler’s Paradise”. It gives me an opportunity to talk about some of my favorite places to paddle in the 300+ miles of coastline & inland lakes Door County has to offer. I’ve been paddling here for more than 25 years and believe me, it truly is a paddler’s paradise!
One of my three favorite places to paddle is to launch from North Port Pier ferry dock and do the crossing to Plum Island. This Door County island blocks some of the worst weather from the lake during the paddle and gives a nice amount protection. Even with these protected waters, conditions on the lake can be rough and this paddle is meant for paddlers in a sea kayak with experience. You can only access the island by non motorized watercraft, making the trip to this recognized National Wildlife Refuge a treat for paddlers!
With 13 lighthouses in Door County there are many options to view by kayak! This is why my second favorite location to paddle is Potawatomi Lighthouse on Rock Island. I enjoy spending a day taking groups to circumnavigate the island and then out of the kayak for a tour of the lighthouse. Besides viewing the the beautiful restored lighthouse, paddlers view spectacular bluffs, forests, and birds!My third favorite paddle has to take place on a calm and sunny day. With these conditions I can view the Australasia shipwreck.The wreck, just off of Whitefish Dunes State Park’s popular swimming beach, is 282 feet long! In the last couple of years I’ve been able to see from bow to stern!
During my presentation I’ll talk about these three paddles and many others. The great thing about Door County is that there are countless places to paddle, weather it is inland, coastal, or an island crossing all with a beautiful view!
-Tim Pflieger
