Welcome to The Ridges Sanctuary, the most biologically diverse ecosystem in Wisconsin. Founded in 1937 to preserve the original 40-acre parcel in Door County’s beautiful Baileys Harbor.

The Ridges has grown to 1,600 acres and is recognized as a National Natural Landmark as well as a Wisconsin State Natural Area. Today, the mission of The Ridges is to protect the Sanctuary and inspire stewardship of natural areas through programs of education, outreach and research.

]]> Welcome to the Ridges Sanctuary.  Opened in 2015, the Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center is located on State Highway 57 in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin. The Nature Center is Door County’s first Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certified commercial building. The center showcases exhibits, activities for children and families, meeting space and educational sessions year-round.

Click and drag to the right, and you’ll see that the center has ample vehicle parking, a cluster of homes for communal birds, a family friendly outdoor learning area, scenic overlook and the entrance to the Hidden Brook Boardwalk.

To the left you'll see the entrance to the boardwalk, The Ridges Sanctuary's newest additon.

We encourage you to stop in at the nature center first and learn more about what you’ll see and experience as you walk through The Ridges Sanctuary.

Questions? See our Frequently Asked Questions on our Website.
]]> The Purple Martin is the largest North American swallow. They live in colonies, and you may spot them zipping around the sky snatching and eating mosquitos, wasps, dragon flies and other flying insects.]]> Welcome to the Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center! Come in and learn more about The Ridges Sanctuary. To the left is our exhibit center and to the right of that, our nature store.

You can stop at the desk to ask a question, register for a naturalist guided hike or sign up for a class. Our knowledgeable volunteers and staff are happy to help.

Straight ahead and to the left is our exhibit area. Click the arrow to see more.

The hallway to the right takes you to the area where we offer a variety of workshops and educational classes, all designed to provide the opportunity for people from all walks of life to gather in support of land protection, education, outreach and research. You will find a list of current program offerings if you click here.
]]> To make an on-line donation to The Ridges Sanctuary, click here.]]> Engaging exhibits explain the cultural and natural history of Baileys Harbor and The Ridges Sanctuary, as well as what visitors can experience along any of the nearly five miles of Sanctuary trails.

Learn about the biological diversity found at the Sanctuary, ridges and swales, and the critical importance of habitat preservation.
]]> Adjacent to our exhibits area, the Nature Store features a variety of unique items to take home or give as gifts. It is open year-round, and all sales help support The Ridges Sanctuary mission. 

Choose from plant and animal guide books and pamphlets, clothing, cards, books, toys, kits and more.

]]> The Hidden Brook Boardwalk is fully accessible and spans one-third of a mile as it winds through the entrance of the Sanctuary. This gem was made possible through the hard work of our volunteers and generous contributions from donors.

The Ridges relies heavily on contributions in order to fulfill its mission.

Click here to make a donation.

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Trails are open. Help keep the trails maintained.  Click here to make a donation]]> As you walk along the Hidden Brook Boardwalk you begin to see the ridges (old lake shores) and swales (wetlands). 

The ridge we are walking on now was created centuries ago. Today, it is home to mink, red squirrels, river otters, pileated woodpeckers and even porcupines!]]> Turn around to see the Hidden Brook Bridge. The brook starts west of Baileys Harbor, flows through The Ridges Sanctuary and ends in Lake Michigan. 

Clean water is essential to the health of all plant and animal species, small and large. Many critters like crayfish, caddisfly larva and muskrats call this place home.
]]> The cedar trees along this stretch of the boardwalk grow to be about 30 feet tall. They provide shelter for animals and insects like the Trash Spider.]]> Witness some of the complexities that make up a swale and why they are so important to wildlife.

This swale sustains the aquatic plants and animals, as well as those who live on the ridges that border the swale.

]]> Wood Duck boxes help provide nesting areas for wood ducks and are located throughout the Sanctuary.]]> Stroll the boardwalks and trails on your own, or take a naturalist-guided
tour of The Ridges Sanctuary.

In the Nature Store you can get a guide to the plants, birds and animals of The Ridges Sanctuary and learn the cultural and natural history of The Ridges.
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Great care was taken to protect the sensitive land while planning and constructing the boardwalk.

As you move to the right, you’ll see that the boardwalk is actually built around a tree. To the right of that is a swale, teaming with aquatic life.

]]> The boardwalk will take you to the Range Lights. Built in 1869, the Range Lights are still lit today and act as navigation aids.

The Range Lights were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

Today The Ridges Sanctuary staff, members and volunteers have become the new keepers of the lights, dedicated to the preservation of the structures and their cultural history.

Click here to learn more about the Range Lights.

Click here to make a donation to the Range Lights.

For more information on tour schedules, click here.]]> Stroll around the peaceful Upper Range Light, a one-and-a-half story seven-room home. The tower, or lantern room, which houses the lens, gives the building its schoolhouse appearance.

Serving as the main Light Keepers quarters, the Upper Range Light is currently under capital campaign as we raise funds to restore this historic structure. 

Click here to make a donation to the “Restore the Range Light” campaign.
]]> The lantern room once housed a 5th Order Fresnel (Fre-nel) lens. The light used today was issued by the Coast Guard, but the original light is on display at the Manitowoc Maritime Museum.]]> The original privy, or outhouse, still stands today. Indoor plumbing was not available when the range lights were originally built in 1869]]> Situated between the Upper Range Light and Baileys Harbor you’ll find the
landing. From this spot you can see how the Range Light would project to the lake and help ships determine a safe route into the harbor.

Across the road is the Lower Range Light. A ship navigator would line up the lights of the Upper and Lower Range Lights to find a safe path into the harbor.

]]> Originally, the light in the Lower Range Light was a “Steamer Lens” or a red 7th Order Fresnel (Fre-nel) Lens. Today it is a standard issued Coast Guard Light.]]> Ridges and swales are still being formed today. It takes 60-75 years for a ridge/swale complex to form. The current 30 ridges were formed over a 1,100 year period by the wave actions of Lake Michigan.




]]> Estimated to have formed 250 years ago, Sandy Swale is the largest swale
on the 1,600 acre property.

It is also the best place to see the federally endangered Hines Emerald Dragonfly during the month of July. 

After spending as much as five years in their aquatic larval state, they emerge as adults and spend most of their short lives (4-5 weeks) in flight, feeding and establishing breeding grounds.


]]> “Flowers are loveliest where they grow. Love them, enjoy them, but leave them so.” – Emma Toft

The Ridges Sanctuary is the southernmost Boreal forest in Wisconsin. Boreal forests are a cold climate, wetland forest dominated by conifers and are typically found in Northern Canada and Siberia.

The Ridges Sanctuary is home to a myriad of plants, including 26 native orchids. Please tread lightly as you walk through this very sensitive environment.

To donate to the Orchid Restoration Project, click here.



]]> Solitude Swale is the oldest and northernmost swale on the trail system. It is noted as one of the best birding locations on The Ridges trail system, and is a perfect spot to sit and enjoy your surroundings.

By protecting the land and water, we help to preserve the diverse plant and insect life which in turn supports diverse animal and bird life.


]]> Logan Creek is a 176-acre parcel acquired by The Ridges Sanctuary in 1986. Because of its diversity and abundance of wild flowers, it was important for us to acquire and protect this land.

You will notice fallen leaves of the beech trees on the ground. This parcel is comprised of maple, beech and hemlock forest.]]> Enjoy the beauty of the forest from the sheltering canopy to the leaf-carpeted
ground.

]]> Experience the beauty of biodiversity. In only a few short minutes you can hike through a beech-maple forest on the upland trails to a cedar-hemlock forest in the low wetlands.

]]> Designated a Wisconsin Threatened plant, Trillium is found in hardwood forests, often near rivers or streams. It blooms late March through early April.]]> Due to the drop in elevation, boardwalks were installed to continue the trail through the wetter areas, and you are likely to find standing water in the spring or after a steady rain.

These areas are perfect for cedar trees and different types of ferns.
]]> Logan Creek flows into Clark Lake, an 868-acre lake located in the towns of
Jacksonport and Sevastapol. The south end of Clark Lake is located in Whitefish Dunes State Park.

Clark Lake is critical habitat for a variety of ducks, birds and fish.



]]> Tall cedars stretch to the sky.

Can you spot the polypore fungi? Polypores are a group of fungi that form fruiting bodies with pores or tubes on the underside. They are one of the most important agents of wood decay.]]> Logan Creek has an abundance of spring wildflowers and showcases beautiful fall foliage.

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