Ridges Sanctuary | Green Bay

The Ridges Sanctuary, located in Baileys Harbor, Door County, Wisconsin, is the oldest private nature preserve in the state, founded in 1937 to protect one of the most biologically rich and geologically rare environments in the Great Lakes region. Stretching across nearly 1,600 acres, it is nationally recognized for its unique topography, rare flora and fauna, and critical conservation work.

🌿 Landscape and Geological Significance

The sanctuary is named for its distinctive ridge-and-swale terrain-a series of parallel sandy ridges formed by the gradual recession of ancient shorelines of Lake Michigan over the past 1,200 years. Between these ridges lie low-lying wetlands or “swales,” creating a diverse pattern of microhabitats.

Ridges: Uplifted sandy lines of dry land formed by successive lake shorelines. These support boreal forests with balsam fir, white pine, and paper birch.

Swales: Moist or waterlogged depressions between ridges filled with marshes, ferns, orchids, and sedges.

This pattern supports over 30 distinct plant communities in a small geographic area-an ecological rarity.

Because of its remarkable biodiversity and geological features, the site has received multiple honors:

National Natural Landmark

State Natural Area

Important Bird Area

Ramsar Wetland of International Importance

🌸 Flora and Fauna

Botanical Richness:

Over 475 plant species, including 25 native orchids.

Home to endangered plants such as the Dwarf Lake Iris, Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly, and Ram’s-head Lady’s Slipper.

Spring and summer bring waves of blooming wildflowers and rare orchids.

Wildlife:

Birdwatching is exceptional, especially during spring and fall migrations.

Over 60 bird species nest here, including sandhill cranes, red-shouldered hawks, and woodcocks.

Wetlands support frogs, salamanders, butterflies, and dragonflies.

🏛️ Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center

Built in 2015, this LEED Gold-certified visitor center functions as the educational and interpretive heart of the sanctuary.

Exhibits include:

The formation of the ridges

Native orchids and wetland ecology

Wildlife habitats and conservation work

Interactive elements: Microscopes, hands-on displays, and maps

Sustainable design: Solar panels, rain gardens, and native landscaping

The center offers maps, seasonal guides, and educational materials and often serves as the starting point for guided hikes.

🌲 Trail System

The sanctuary features over 5 miles of trails, including boardwalks and forest paths that traverse a variety of landscapes. Highlights include:

Hidden Brook Boardwalk – A fully accessible 1,800-foot trail ideal for families and those with limited mobility. Passes through boreal forest with interpretive signage.

Range Light Boardwalk – Leads through low wetlands to two historic range lights (lighthouses).

Family Discovery Trail – A gentle loop with interpretive points geared toward younger visitors.

Appel’s Bluff & Logan Creek Trails – Located on satellite properties offering upland and creekside ecosystems.

All trails are open year-round from dawn to dusk. In winter, snowshoeing is popular, and snowshoes can be rented onsite.

🕰️ History and Preservation

Founded in 1937 by Albert Fuller, a Milwaukee Public Museum botanist, and local conservationists to protect rare orchid habitats threatened by development.

The Ridges became Wisconsin’s first land trust, leading the way in private conservation efforts in the state.

It played a key role in halting resort development that would have destroyed its rare habitats.

🏠 Baileys Harbor Range Lights

Located within the sanctuary, these two historic lighthouses were built in 1869 to safely guide ships into Baileys Harbor.

Front and Rear Range Lights: A line-of-sight navigation system. Ships would align the lights to steer safely into harbor.

Historic significance: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tours available: Seasonal guided tours take visitors through the restored keeper’s house and up to the lights.

🎓 Education and Programming

The Ridges Sanctuary runs year-round public programs for all ages, such as:

Guided Nature Walks

Full Moon Hikes

Orchid Monitoring and Citizen Science

Family Nature Days

Winter Snowshoe Walks

Volunteer Naturalist Programs

Their commitment to environmental education extends into local schools and community partnerships, as well as training new land stewards and conservation interns annually.

🚗 Getting There

Address: 8166 Highway 57, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202

Hours: Trails open dawn to dusk year-round. Nature Center open most days, with seasonal hours.

Parking: Onsite near the nature center

Accessibility: Hidden Brook Boardwalk and main areas are accessible; other trails vary in difficulty

🏙️ Nearest Major City

Green Bay, Wisconsin is the nearest major city, located approximately 75 miles (120 km) to the south.

Travel time from Milwaukee is around 3 hours, and from Chicago about 4–5 hours.

Summary

The Ridges Sanctuary is one of Wisconsin’s most ecologically valuable and visually beautiful natural areas. It offers a tranquil, immersive nature experience for hikers, families, birdwatchers, and botanists. From blooming orchids in spring to snow-laced boardwalks in winter, the Ridges showcases the richness of Door County’s “quiet side” and exemplifies the power of grassroots conservation.