The Ridges Sanctuary
The Ridges Sanctuary
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
11 within 3 miles
Attractions
12 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
260 reviews
Excellent
194
Very good
49
Average
12
Poor
3
Terrible
2
MomRocco
Chicago, IL502 contributions
Jun 2022
During our stay at The Blacksmith Inn, we took some time to visit The Ridges. The waoden walkway allows you to travel over the forest floor and marsh without disturbing the wildlife. There are also regular trails through the woods, but we didn't use them because of mosquitos and the standing water due to recent rains. There's one arm of the wooden walkway that takes you to a pond where many bullfrogs can be found. When we visited in the afternoon, they were croaking loudly at one another and it was a pleasure to see them among the lilies. The trail also takes you to the 2 range lights (similar to lighthouses) that are used to guide boats safely into Baileys Harbor. There's a $5 suggested fee to use the trails etc and it is well worth the money for this little gem.
Written June 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meg
Madison, WI9 contributions
Jul 2021
Beautiful well-maintained area. Very interesting and peaceful. We weaved through a few of the trails over the ridges and swales and viewed both the overlooks from the far trail (Winter Wren Trail). They offer a 2-hour tour with a naturalist weekdays at 10am. We briefly eavesdropped on the tour as we were walking by, and it seemed very informative if you want a more in depth explanation of everything.
The Upper Range Light lighthouse was recently restored and opened to the public in June 2021. It is wonderfully restored, staged with furniture and informative artifacts, and staffed with kind, passionate volunteers that enjoy telling facts and stories of the lighthouse's history and significance. This was the unexpected highlight of my Door County trip! I highly recommended it!
The Upper Range Light lighthouse was recently restored and opened to the public in June 2021. It is wonderfully restored, staged with furniture and informative artifacts, and staffed with kind, passionate volunteers that enjoy telling facts and stories of the lighthouse's history and significance. This was the unexpected highlight of my Door County trip! I highly recommended it!
Written August 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle
Wisconsin3 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
My husband & I went here one early afternoon for the first time & it was a beautiful fall day to enjoy the boardwalk that led to other trails in the woods. You could see & hear the birds & there were educational signs to read along the way. This is definitely a place to go & enjoy nature!
Written November 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sara S
3 contributions
Dec 2022
The trails at the Ridges are designed so that you can tailor your walk to whatever distance works for you. In the summer there will be mosquitos, so be prepared. After our second hike there we paid for a membership because we knew we'd be back often and we wanted to support them.
Written December 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndrewFromMadison
Madison, WI3,292 contributions
Aug 2020
Those who come to Door County seldom leave without seeing The Ridges. The place is well known and advertised everywhere, so I am sure you will not miss it. However, no disrespect to the sanctuary, I would also recommend browsing around - The Ridges is sandwiched and is adjacent to other, similar properties, like Toft Point, or Moonlight Bay, and some smaller properties - all parts of the awesome constellation of preserves and protected areas.
Written January 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill B
Charleston, SC31 contributions
Jul 2021
Great place to explore early in the AM when the town is still quiet and not many people are out. A lot of wildlife to be seen if you are quiet and take your time. Unique series of dune ridges and swales.
Written July 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason
Palatine, IL17 contributions
Jul 2020
Good educational area on different eco systems of the area.
Trails are rather flat and easy.
Definently recommend for those with young kids and those who want to hike but do not want a strenuous work out.
Check out the Harbor lights here
Trails are rather flat and easy.
Definently recommend for those with young kids and those who want to hike but do not want a strenuous work out.
Check out the Harbor lights here
Written July 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristin G
Bozeman, MT158 contributions
Jun 2021 • Friends
Very exciting that they had an electric vehicle charger (make a donation) for use so we could charge our car while we took a walk. It was a rainy day and the wood was fairly slick. They did have netting in parts to increase the coefficient of friction. If I had children that like to run and frolic I would have been a nervous mess. I would not suggest it during damp times for them. I only had to make sure I didn’t fall on my butt. I was wearing trail shoes and did pretty good. The walk took you through some interesting beach/forest mixes. You can meander and probably put together some decent mileage. We went on a Sunday so we did NOT get to visit the nature center.
Written June 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ProMomof2
Chicago, IL8 contributions
May 2021 • Family
I would not have guessed this nature walk would have clicked all the requirements for a great day for my teens and my mate…plenty of baritone things to see. Would have been great to go to the beach for a picnic if it were hot but it was cold. We walked a lot… covered only about half the trails and took lots of pretty photos. The story of the ridge lights is really neat to learn
Written May 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TJboard56
Indiana38 contributions
Jun 2020 • Couples
We decided to go to Ridges Sanctuary on our last day in Door County. We could not go into the nature center due to Covid restrictions. Our first stop on our trail was the Lilly Pads and the LOUD frogs! The Boardwalk was so nice making for an enjoyable easy walk. The dirt paths, once you left the Boardwalk, are clear making the walk nice as well. Just so peaceful to be in the woods enjoying nature. The trails are very well marked and you can hike as much or as little as you like. Range Lights Lighthouse is operational and you can go inside. Also you can cross the street to a small public beach with nice clean restrooms. We saw a mama deer then a short ways later 2 babies. Some flowers were in bloom. Such a well maintained park and we will visit again when we return next year!
Written July 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I need specific directions on how to get to the parking lot East of the Upper Range light. I would like to walk the Red Loop Trail, and the rest of our group would do fine on the boardwalk (2 in wheel chairs).
We will be coming North on Hwy. 57 Can you help?
James M. Lurquin
sidoswego
Oswego, IL27 contributions
Here is your answer to the Red Loop....You have to check in at the visitor's center in Bailey's Harbor first .. then get back into your car and drive north about a mile to Road Q .. I think you can only turn right but turn R and after about 1/2 mile you will see the Ridges parking lot on your right.The Red Loop features an observation deck and a long pier that will take you to Solitude Swale.
The Ridges Sanctuary (Baileys Harbor) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about The Ridges Sanctuary
- The Ridges Sanctuary is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- We recommend booking The Ridges Sanctuary tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 2 The Ridges Sanctuary tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near The Ridges Sanctuary:
- (0.07 mi) Blacksmith Inn On the Shore
- (0.07 mi) Century Old Door County in-Town Farmhouse
- (0.25 mi) Baileys Harbor Schoolhouse Inn
- (0.17 mi) Nelson Lakeview Suites & Motel
- (0.21 mi) Beautiful Three Bedroom Home Downtown Baileys Harbor
- Restaurants near The Ridges Sanctuary:
- (0.16 mi) Baileys Harbor Cornerstone Pub and Restaurant
- (0.17 mi) Heirloom Cafe & Provisions
- (0.21 mi) Bearded Heart Coffee
- (0.29 mi) Harbor Fish Market & Grille
- (0.43 mi) Chives Door County
The Ridges Sanctuary Information
Excellent Reviews | 193 |
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Very Good Reviews | 49 |
The Ridges Sanctuary Photos | 139 |