While the villages of Door County are often packed with visitors, there’s a gorgeous place you can have all to yourself. The Mink River is near Sister Bay or Ellison Bay but it feels a world away. It’s a wild place that gives paddlers a glimpse of what Wisconsin was like before farmers, loggers, or tourists arrived. Best of all, an outfitter has everything you need to get on the river and can help make the adventure easy. Grab your paddle and camera – here’s what’s waiting for you on the Mink River.
The Mink River is located in Northern Door County and if you don’t seek it out, you’ll never encounter it – it’s fairly hidden and the county’s roads well-traveled roads don’t offer any river views. Most tourists have no idea how close they are to this place.
That’s part of the river’s charm – it’s one of the last pristine freshwater estuaries left in the United States. It’s a unique habitat – water from Lake Michigan mixes with water from the river.
Door County Adventures leads an eco-tour up the Mink River Estuary. Groups depart from Rowleys Bay Resort.
The first stretch of the trip will be on Lake Michigan, crossing Rowleys Bay to the mouth of the river. It can get a little choppy but the water will likely smooth out considerably on the river.
As you paddle into the estuary, it will quickly narrow. You’ll want to keep your eyes open for wildlife – more than 200 species of birds call this place home.
At the end of the river, there are little channels of grasses you can paddle through. It’s essentially unchanged from the days Native Americans paddled here.
The Mink River Estuary Tour is well supported and will provide instruction if you are new to paddling. The trip is also rewarding for advanced paddlers, although it’s not a long journey. The trip will cover about three miles. Wisconsin has some paddling spots that are absolutely magical. Here’s one that will take you to a wild waterfall.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
