Why Schauer Park is a Better Kayaking Launch than Whitefish Bay Dunes State Park
To launch a kayak and access Cave Point County Park, there are mainly 2 options, Schauer Park (where we launch from) and Whitefish Bay Dunes State Park, or a little further away, Whitefish Bay Boat launch.
Safety, Safety, Safety
- Predominant wind/wave direction is from the south. Thus the safest harbor to retreat back into is Schauer Park if the wind is from the south, southwest or southeast.
- If the wind is from the north or northeast over 15-25+ knots, Cave Point County Park is usually inaccessible by kayak due to the waves and isn’t safe from Whitefish Bay Dunes State Park as well.
- Returning from Cave Point County Park to Whitefish Bay Dunes State Park at the end of your tour or your kayak outing when the waves and wind are in your face will potentially push you into a hazardous section of Cave Point if you aren’t a strong paddler. This is happening at the end of your trip when you have the least amount of strength. Not the best scenario.
- If you are returning to Schauer park with a south wind at the end of your trip, you will have the wind and waves at your back helping you and it will get less and less windy and wavy the closer you get to Schauer Park.
- See photos for more clarification on the predominant wave and wind direction.
Ease.
- With the erosion of the Whitefish Bay Dunes State Park walking path down to the beach, kayak launching enthusiasts must portage their gear around the back hiking path, adding on a significant amount of time and energy to get their gear to the beach. Multiply that by 2 after you return from your trip.
- You can unload your kayak at the Schauer Park boat launch. No hiking necessary.
- If you are returning to Schauer park with a south wind at the end of your trip, you will have the wind and waves at your back helping you and it will get less and less windy and wavy the closer you get to Schauer Park.
Cost:
Both will end up costing you to launch your boat. You will need a state parks sticker to launch your kayak in Whitefish Bay Dunes State Park. There is also a boat launch pass for Schauer Park.
While we don’t drop off any Door County Kayak rentals, we recommend you go with one of our Door County Tours; Door County Boat Tours or Door County Kayak Tours.
If you like this blog post, then check out these other outdoor adventure blog posts below
7 Reasons why Cave Point County Park is a must visit
7 reasons why Potawatomi State Park is the best park in Door County, Wisconsin