Cave Point Paddle & Pedal Blog

If you’re planning a Door County trip with kids ages 7 to 12, you’re in the sweet spot for what this peninsula does best. We’ve been running tours for 23 years, and that age range is the single biggest segment of family bookings we see. They’re old enough to handle a 2-hour kayak trip, young enough to still find a sea cave genuinely magical, and they bring an energy to the boat that the parents end up matching. Here’s what’s actually doable with kids in that age range, what isn’t, and how to plan a 3-day visit that none of you will forget. The honest age rules at every Door County paddle operator This varies by outfitter. Our rules: Kids 7 and up ride tandem with a parent on guided kayak tours Kids 13 and up can sometimes handle a…

If your last kayaking experience was a pool or no kayaking experience at all, congratulations, you’re in the company of most people we paddle with. After 23 years of running tours from the same Jacksonport shop, the math on first-timers is consistent: roughly 80 percent of the guests on any given day have never been in a kayak before. They tell us so in the parking lot. Ninety minutes later they’re paddling into a sea cave and asking if we run a sunset version. Here’s the version of “first-time kayaking” we’d want to read before booking, written from the side of the boat that’s been doing this for two decades. The fear we hear most: “I’m worried about tipping over” This is the number-one objection guests bring up at booking. It’s also the easiest one to answer, because the boat…

If you’re planning a Door County trip and your default month is July, the locals will quietly tell you to push it to September. We’ve been telling our regulars this for 23 summers. Some of them listen. The ones who do come back September after September and don’t bother with July anymore. Here’s the long version of why. The water is warmer in September than in June This surprises people every year, but the math is simple. Lake Michigan is a giant cold-water reservoir that takes most of the summer to warm up. June water temps in Door County run 55 to 62 degrees, the bottom edge of “kayakable without serious shivering.” By September, after three full months of summer sun, the surface is sitting in the high 60s to low 70s. Warmer than June, often warmer than early July….

If you typed “cave kayaking near me” into Google from a Chicago suburb, a Milwaukee neighborhood, a Madison block, or anywhere in the upper Midwest, you got pointed here. Here’s the honest geography: real sea caves you can paddle into, in the Midwest, basically come down to two destinations. We run tours at one of them. What “cave kayaking” actually means Most caves you can paddle to fall into one of three categories: Sea caves. Carved by wave action into a coastal bluff or cliff. The kind you actually paddle inside, where the entrance is at water level. These are the rare ones in the Midwest. River caves. Limestone formations along inland rivers, often half-submerged. Common in places like Missouri’s Current River, but most are not deep enough or wide enough to paddle into. Quarry coves. Old limestone quarries that…

The sunset trip is the one most guests rebook the next year. We’ve been running it out of the same Jacksonport shop for 23 summers, and the booking pattern tells you exactly who it’s for: couples on a Door County weekend, grandparent-grandkid pairs, the occasional solo paddler who wants two quiet hours on flat water. Here’s the part the booking page doesn’t tell you, and the part you’ll thank yourself for knowing. What the trip actually is Two-hour guided paddle, sit-on-top kayaks, beginner-friendly, launching late afternoon from Schauer Park boat ramp on the Lake Michigan side of the peninsula. Most groups are 4 to 8 people. We push off about 90 minutes before sunset, paddle a quiet shoreline north of the cave run, watch the sun drop into the bluff line behind us, and head back as the lake goes…

September 26, 1888. A three-masted schooner carrying lumber slips out of Garrett Bay on the west tip of the Door County peninsula, headed for Chicago. The captain misreads the channel between the peninsula and Plum Island in the dark. The Fleetwing piles into the reef at full sail and sinks in eight feet of water. Everyone aboard makes it off. The cargo of cherry-stained pine is salvaged over the next month. The hull is left where it lies. It’s still there, 138 years later, in the same eight feet of water. We’re the only kayak operation that paddles to it. What you can actually see The wreck sits in Garrett Bay, off Door Bluff Headlands, on the Green Bay side of Death’s Door (the strait between the peninsula and Washington Island). Three things are visible from the surface on a…

You’ve seen the photo. Cliff jumpers in mid-air, deep blue water below, white limestone shelf curving back into a cove. That photo gets re-shot every summer, by everyone. We’ve been running tours from a building 15 minutes up the road for 23 years, and after enough seasons you start noticing the things the photo doesn’t show. This is what we tell guests at Cave Point County Park, in the order they actually need to know it. What you’re looking at when you stand on the bluff Cave Point is a 19-acre county park on the Lake Michigan side of the Door County peninsula, about three miles south of Jacksonport. The cliff is Niagaran dolomite, the same limestone formation that runs all the way to the actual Niagara Falls in New York. Lake Michigan has been chewing on it for thousands…

Most people who visit Cave Point County Park leave having seen maybe 10% of it. They walk the bluff, take the limestone-and-turquoise photo, post it, and drive away. The other 90% sits below them. You can’t see it without getting on the water. We’ve been running tours from a shop right next door for 23…

When you think of Door County, images of stunning landscapes, quaint towns, and the shimmering waters of Lake Michigan often come to mind. While many flock to bars and restaurants for a night out, there’s a more rejuvenating option that deserves your attention: sauna rentals. These wellness retreats not only provide a unique way to unwind but also offer a plethora of health benefits that make them a superior choice for your leisure time. The Sauna Experience Imagine stepping into a warm, tranquil space, where the stresses of daily life melt away. Door County sauna rentals are designed to provide a peaceful escape, often surrounded by nature. Many rentals feature scenic views, allowing you to soak in the beauty of the area while enjoying the calming effects of the sauna. The experience is not just about relaxation; it’s a holistic…

Door County, Wisconsin, known for its lush forests and rich food sources, has become a subject of curiosity for its wildlife, particularly bears. In this article, we delve into the existence of bears in Door County, examining their habits, numbers, and how humans can coexist safely with these majestic creatures. Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast or a curious visitor, join us in uncovering the truth about bears in this scenic region. The Bear Population in Door County: A Closer Look While Door County is not typically known for a large bear population, it does provide a habitat conducive to their survival. Estimates suggest that there could be up to fifteen bears in the area, although this number is subject to change. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources categorizes bears in Door County as “rare,” meaning they are not a…

Kayaking is an exhilarating experience that combines adventure with the serenity of nature. However, staying dry while paddling a sit-on-top kayak can be a challenge, especially for beginners. This comprehensive guide will provide you with effective strategies and tips to ensure a dry and enjoyable kayaking experience. Understanding the Basics of Sit-on-Top Kayaking Sit-on-top kayaks…

Kayaking is an exhilarating adventure, combining fitness with the beauty of nature. However, it’s not without its challenges, especially when it comes to hand care. Blisters, those pesky, painful bubbles on your skin, can turn a delightful paddling experience into an ordeal. But fear not! This article will guide you through effective strategies to prevent…