Views from Above

By Jeanette Hurt

The views here might just take your breath away. While there are plenty of great spots to catch a spectacular sunset or enjoy Door County's natural beauty, here are the top spots, literally.

These places stand tall and offer the best lookouts in the county.

Potawatomi State Park Observation Tower

Potawatomi State Park Observation Tower, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, reopened to the public in 2025 after a $1 million restoration. The first purpose-built recreational tower (as opposed to a fire lookout tower in a Wisconsin state park), this 75-foot tower in Sturgeon Bay was built in 1931 to provide panoramic views of the woodlands, as well as sweeping vistas of Green Bay and Sawyer Harbor below. In the fall, the wooden staircase and deck are surrounded by spectacular orange, red, and yellow foliage.

Door Bluff Headlands County Park

For the most natural, untouched scenery, head to Door Bluff Headlands County Park at the tip of the peninsula between Ellison Bay and Gills Rock. Most of the 253 acres of this park remain undeveloped, except for a single access road that leads to its interior. Limestone bluffs practically grow out of the waters of Green Bay, and lush vegetation is everywhere you look, including nearly 100 species of plants.

Cana Island Lighthouse

Door County’s most well-known beacon, Cana Island Lighthouse, has stood watch over Lake Michigan’s shoreline since 1869. The lighthouse was the original home of the lighthouse keeper and his family, and visitors can trek the 97 steps to the top of the 89-foot-tall tower. Once atop the tower, there are 360-degree views of the lake and its craggy waterfront, as well as the peninsula. The grounds also feature historic exhibits, including shipwreck artifacts, and a visitors center. From the parking lot a few miles north of Baileys Harbor, you can walk over the causeway or hitch a ride on a tractor-drawn wagon.

Eagle Tower

You don’t need wings to feel as if you’re flying at Peninsula State Park’s Eagle Tower in Fish Creek. Soaring high above the Niagara Escarpment, the tower offers an observation deck that sits 253 feet above Green Bay. Climb 100 steps to the top or meander along the 850-foot, fully wheelchair-accessible ramp that winds its way up above the tree line. You’ll enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding islands, the Upper Michigan shoreline, and the villages of Ephraim and Fish Creek.

Ellison Bluff County Park

For hiking enthusiasts, the scenic sights along the trails at Ellison Bluff County Park in the town of Liberty Grove offer a perfect place to capture Door County’s famous sunsets. This 174-acre park features a wooden stairway to a deck that offers views of the stunning 100-foot limestone bluffs surrounding the bay of Green Bay. Serene, sweeping views of the water await visitors, while the park’s shaded trails make for an ideal place for birdwatching and picnicking.

Jim Kress Maritime Lighthouse Tower

The tallest structure in Door County is the stately Jim Kress Maritime Lighthouse Tower. Standing 118 feet tall, it boasts remarkable views of Sturgeon Bay’s working waterfront and the bay of Green Bay. The tower is a part of the Door County Maritime Museum, and though the views are pretty amazing, getting there is just part of the journey, as the vertical museum offers state-of-the-art interactive exhibits that capture the peninsula’s rich maritime history on each of its 10 floors.