Doggone Good Times in Door County, Wisconsin
- Luie Boone
- May 29
- 5 min read
This vacation destination is a part of our second series of blog posts titled K9 Kind.
Planning a family getaway with your dog? Luie Boone wants you to know that Door County, Wisconsin, is the perfect destination. It’s a place where every member of the family—including the four-legged ones—is welcome to join in the fun. This scenic peninsula blends charming small towns, outdoor adventures, and plenty of pooch-friendly places to sniff out and enjoy together.
Start your adventure in Sturgeon Bay, where parks and patios warmly greet pups. From there, head over to Carlsville, a quaint town perfect for wine tasting and window shopping with your dog strolling right by your side.
Continue north to Egg Harbor, known for its walkable downtown, art galleries, and dog-friendly beaches. Then make your way to Fish Creek, where you can explore the trails of Peninsula State Park or unwind on a sunny patio while your pup cools off with a cold bowl of water.
Next, stop by Baileys Harbor, where your pup can join you for kayaking adventures. After that, visit Ephraim for scenic views and peaceful spots ideal for sunset strolls. Then head to Sister Bay—a must-visit for dog lovers—with its dedicated dog beach and pooch-friendly shops.
For a more laid-back experience, make your way to Ellison Bay, Gills Rock, Rowleys Bay, or Juddville. These quieter destinations offer you and your pup peaceful walks, open spaces, stunning lake views, and a slower pace—all with fewer crowds.
Don’t miss a trip to Washington Island, just a ferry ride away. And yes, dogs are welcome aboard! Once there, you’ll discover open fields, nature trails, and quiet beaches perfect for roaming together.
Wrap up your journey in Jacksonport and Southern Door County, where wide-open spaces and calm country charm offer the perfect ending to your trip.
Whether you’re chasing sunsets, hiking trails, or just relaxing by the lake, Door County is a place where dogs are more than welcome. They’re part of the adventure!
Paws Rest Here
Luie Boone paw-selected this perfect vacation rental for your stay in Door County, Wisconsin. Check it out below!
Rental Name: Lulu's Bayside Retreat
This rental has 4 bedrooms with 7 beds and 2.5 baths.
Photos courtesy of VRBO
It features the following amenities:
Cottage with 200 feet of shoreline directly on the Bay
Sliding doors that walk out to a large elevated deck
Large grassy sitting area on the shore with a picnic table and a fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs and also includes a dock with both ladder and stairs for swimming and water fun with your pup (Luie Boone is grateful for the stairs! It will make getting in-and-out of the water easier for him, especially after his massive cannonballs that get everyone soaking wet!)
2 kayaks and paddleboard for use (Luie Boone is not sure if you'll see him successfully balancing on either one of those. He's more likely to tip them over and send his humans flying!)
What does Luie Boone think of this rental? He woofed:
We’re heading to Lulu’s Bayside Retreat in Door County. I couldn't stop wagging my tail when I heard! There’s 200 feet of shoreline to explore, deer to bark at, and birds to chase. Tobi, my cat brother, says there's no way I'll catch any birds, but, hey, let me dream a little. The cottage sits right on the Bay and is home to Lulu, a legendary dock-jumping lab in a lifejacket. Hopefully, I can live up to Lulu's standards! My cannonballs are pretty spalsh-tastic! We will find dock steps into the Bay, a swing set, kayaks, paddleboards, and a picnic table. Plus, there are life vests for everyone, even us good swimmers. Just don’t tie the paddleboard to the dock—Lulu says the waves don’t like that! At the cottage, there is a screened-in porch perfect for breezy, sleepy naps, especially after a long day in the water. I’ve already picked my sunbathing spot to dry my wet floofy-self. And, at night, I’ll curl up by the fire pit while my humans roast marshmallows themselves... and me, of course. I haven’t even been to Lulu's Bayside Retreat yet, but I’m already in love! Lulu, please save me a spot by the fire!
Paws Venture Here
Fish Creek Scenic Boat Tours
Dogs are welcome to join their humans on the Fish Creek Scenic Boat Tours, which provide fun tours of the water near Door County and Green Bay.
Whitefish Dunes State Park
This state park welcomes pups to enjoy a section of the beach with their humans. Luie Boone would like to congratulate that pooch (pictured to the left) for their impressive stick find, and would like to let everyone to know that he'll be finding a bigger stick to win the biggest stick contest!
Percy Johnson County Park
Bring your best friend out to explore the five acres of land at Percy Johnson County Park, where you'll discover heavily-wooded trails, picnic shelters, and a sandy beach.
Door County Kayak Tours
Here, you can rent a kayak with your pooch and explore the waters of Lake Michigan. You will need to bring your own canine life jacket to keep them safe if you end up in the water. Luie Boone won't forget his bright yellow-and-green life jacket!
Cave Point County Park
This recreation space features underwater caves, hiking trails, and limestone cliffs along scenic Lake Michigan. Your canine companion is welcome to accompany you on a visit.
Ellison Bluff
Bring your pooch to this forested area, which features walking trails and a rock terrace offering sweeping lake views.
NorDoor Cruises by The Shoreline
NorDoor Cruises offers various dog-friendly tour packages to choose from, including lighthouse, educational, and scenic boat tours departing from the tip of Door County. You'll also get a chance to meet Snickers, the famous Door County Dock Dog. Be sure to bring a life jacket for your pup to wear while on board the boat. Luie Boone hopes he doesn't look as silly as that pooch in his life jacket. Spoiler Alert: He does.
Harbor Fish Market & Grille
Fido is welcome to join you at a waterfront outdoor table at Harbor Fish Market & Grille. Be sure to ask for their dog menu, featuring Doggie Kibble, a Pup Steak, frozen custard, and more! They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner daily for humans.
Luie Boone's Pet Peeve about
Door County, Wisconsin
There's just so much to love about this vacation destination, but there's one thing that's got Luie Boone's leash in a twist. He woofed:
I’ve got a little tail to wag about those whooooshy winds along the beautiful Door County shoreline. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good breeze in my floof and the scent of lake water in my nose, but sometimes it can just be a bit too much. You see, the winds coming off Lake Michigan are NO joke! I’m talking about your human's hat getting yanked right off, dog fur-ruffling, and tail-tucking gusts that creep up behind you like a sneaky floor demon. Windy weather can turn a relaxed outing into a stressful adventure for dogs who dislike the breeze. They may look brave, but those sudden gusts can make even the boldest barkers want to turn back and snuggle under a blanket. So, if you're heading to the Door County shoreline and the wind’s louder than sirens during a midnight emergency, keep your pooch close, maybe skip the extra-long walk, and definitely save the game of fetch for a calmer day!
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