Spring in Door County

Enjoy Peace, Quiet, and Cherry Blossoms in Spring

Spring in Door County is a time of renewal. Local residents come out of hibernation, gardens and wildflowers come to life, and cherry and apple trees blossom in spectacular fashion. There may be no better time to get acquainted with Door County than in the calmer, slower days of spring.

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A couple walking among the cherry blossom trees.

Cherry Blossom Report

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Kids jumping off of a dock into the lake.

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Spring High / Low Temperature Report

March	32° / 17°
April	48° / 33°
May	57° / 39°

Spring Sunrise / Sunset Report

March	6:28 a.m. / 5:37 p.m.
April	6:31 a.m. / 7:17 p.m.
May	6:31 a.m. / 7:54 p.m.

Blossoms Report

April Blossoms

April is when blossom season kicks off in Door County, so you’ll see a small variety of blossoms and wildflowers just starting to appear on roadsides and in fields and preserves.

Watch for: Daffodils, Hepatica, and Rock Cress

Although we can’t be certain when local blossoms will arrive, this guide offers a pretty good idea of what you can expect during a spring visit. Follow us on Facebook for photos and updates throughout the season.

May Blossoms

In addition to those early-bird flowers of April, apple blossoms and the famous cherry blossoms typically bloom in mid-to-late May. This is the time to pack the camera and plan for a long country drive or a forest hike to take in all the natural beauty.

Watch for: Apple Blossoms, Bunchberry, Butter-and-Eggs (Toadflax), Canada Anemone, Canada Mayflower, Cherry Blossoms, Clintonia, Coralroot, Daffodils, Dwarf Lake Iris, Fringed Polygala (Gaywings), Hepatica, Indian Paintbrush, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Large-Flowered Trillium, Nodding Trillium, Red-Osier Dogwood, Rock Cress, Sarsaparilla, Silverweed, Starflower, Starry Solomon’s Plume, Wild Columbine, Wild Strawberry, and Yellow Lady’s Slipper Orchid

June Blossoms

The blossom season continues into June as temperatures warm. The picturesque apple and cherry blossoms are usually gone by this time, but the landscape will have burst into lush greens, and the local flora will be at its peak in terms of color, size, quantity, and awe.

Watch for: Black-eyed Susan, Blue-Flag Wild Iris, Bunchberry, Butter-and-Eggs (Toadflax), Canada Anemone, Canada Mayflower, Clintonia, Coralroot, Evening Primrose, Fringed Polygala (Gaywings), Harebell (Bluebell), Indian Paintbrush, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Nodding Trillium, Pink-Flowered Pyrola, Red-Osier Dogwood, Rock Cress, Sarsaparilla, Silverweed, Spreading Dogbane, Starflower, Starry Solomon’s Plume, St. John's-wort, Swamp Buttercup, Thimbleberry, Twinflower, Wild Columbine, Wild Strawberry, and Yellow Lady’s Slipper Orchid

July Blossoms

In July, lavender lovers will want to trek to Washington Island to see the rolling fields of lavender and check out all the blossom-themed activities, shopping, dining, and viewing that are available.

Watch for: Black-eyed Susan, Blue-Flag Wild Iris, Canada Anemone, Evening Primrose, Goldenrods, Harebell (Bluebell), Indian Paintbrush, Marsh FiveFingers, Pink-Flowered Pyrola, Red-Osier Dogwood, Rock Cress, Silverweed, Spreading Dogbane, St. John's-wort, Swamp Buttercup, Thimbleberry, Twinflower, Wild Columbine, Wild Strawberry, and Yellow Lady’s Slipper Orchid

August Blossoms

As summer wares on and the hotter, slower dog days take over, there’s still time to see some late-season blossoms, including the Purple Gerardia, which only blooms in August. By the end of the month, Door County will begin transitioning to fall, and the trees, rather than the flowers, will be the ones bursting into spectacular color.

Watch for: Black-eyed Susan, Evening Primrose, Goldenrods, Harebell (Bluebells), Indian Paintbrush, Purple Gerardia, Red-Osier Dogwood, Silverweed, Spreading Dogbane, St. John’s-wort, Thimbleberry, and Wild Columbine

Photo Credits: Joshua Mayer & Flora of Wisconsin

3 Ways to Experience a Region in Bloom

Although the start of spring is hard to predict around here, the apple, cherry, and flower blossoms are tell-tale signs that region has fully thawed out and spring is in the air. Here are three ways to enjoy the fruits of spring’s arrival:

Play I Spy: Blossoms Edition: There’s no shortage of great places to view apple, cherry, and flower blossoms in Door County. Whether it’s at an orchard or farm, a county or state park, or on a drive through the countryside, be prepared to be awed in April and May.
Hunt for Edible Mushrooms: With more than 550 varieties of mushrooms in Door County, a trip into the forest is almost sure to yield some morels or other favorite mushrooms. Then, cook up these fungi as a side dish or toss them into salad, soup, risotto, or sandwiches.
Snap Photos of the Cherry Blossoms: Door County is famous for its cherries and ranks as the nation’s fourth largest cherry-growing region. Cherry-picking season doesn't arrive until late July, but spring is the time to break out your camera and soak in as much as 2,500 acres of cherry orchards and 500 acres of apple orchards.

A woman sitting on a low tree branch along the lake.

2 Ways to Embrace Spring

Get Moving
In springtime, Door County is still emerging from its winter state. The streets and fairways are still somewhat empty, the trails aren’t quite bustling yet, and the rivers and lakes serve as tranquil escapes. Try these favorite spring activities when you’re in Door County between March and May and check out our collection of guides and reports for even more information: golf, disc golf, hiking & running, biking, boating, sailing, & paddling, or fishing.

Get Centered
As the locals gear up for the summer season, there’s still plenty to keep visitors busy. If you’re interested in an outdoors-centric trip, check out local farmers markets, scenic tours, and birding opportunities. Or, if R&R is more your thing, get centered at one of the area’s many salons & spas, restaurants, or taverns or take in some arts and culture.

Closeup of a white flower along a bike trail with a mountain biker passing in the background.

3 Tips for Enjoying Wildflowers

If you visit Door County between late May and early July, you are in for a colorful treat. While wildflowers can be found throughout the counties’ trails, it is still important to practice these three Leave No Trace tips so we can protect these delicate treasures for generations to come.

#1. Increase your knowledge by packing a field guide: Looking to find a specific flower? Do your research beforehand so you know whether that species is commonly found in the woods, in meadows, or near the shore. The more you know, the easier the flowers will be to find.

#2. Take only pictures and leave the wildflowers: While wildflowers may seem abundant in our county, imagine if everyone one of Door County’s two million visitors took even just one. Before you know it, all the magnificent blooms would be gone. Save the memory by taking a picture instead.

#3. Avoid introducing invasive species: Much like wildflowers, many invasive plant species will begin to appear in the spring. Help prevent species such as wild parsnip, garlic mustard, and spotted knapweed from spreading by cleaning your shoes and bike tires before and after every outing.