Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Nature Preserve — Attraction in Town of Sturgeon Bay

Crown jewel in Sturgeon Bay's environmental crown. Close to town and far enough to prevent crowds. Hundreds of rare species unknown elsewhere in Wisconsin. Pitcher's Thistle, one of the most prolific pollin pals, is being studied by the Chicago Botanic Garden botanists. Peregrine falcons seen here for the first time in yrs. Lots of beach as Lake Michigan has gone down. Coast Guard Station and lighthouses are photogenic. History of canal is the...

Easy access to the water and the ship canal. The farthest lot gets you to the water and a short loop. This is perfect with small kids. Less than a mile of relatively flat. Woods + water, they will be entertained without being miles from the car. No bathroom and you do practice leave no trace. I recommend brining your coffee down and watching...

Pleasant little trail with two parking areas and a wooden boardwalk over the dunes to Lake Michigan. You can walk to the canal entrance and down along a pier, which provides excellent views of the lighthouses. There are a few trail options and one leads to a nice lookout point. Very well maintained trail with frequent...