What’s Happening

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Door County’s northern communities have long envisioned a trail system that would safely connect our towns and villages—yet no such link exists today. With limited rural roads and growing traffic on State Highway 42, walking or biking between communities remains difficult and dangerous.

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The Bayshore Connectivity Trail Feasibility Study is an important step toward realizing a long-held vision of community-connected trails. Led by the Town of Gibraltar and supported by an alliance of nearby municipalities and partners, this study will determine how best to design and implement a safe, scenic, and multi-use trail connecting the communities of Sister Bay, Ephraim, Fish Creek, and Egg Harbor.

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Spanning roughly 16 miles, the trail would create critical connections for residents, visitors, students, and seasonal workers—providing safe access to jobs, school, parks, and small businesses. The feasibility study will:

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• Evaluate multiple trail route options based on terrain, safety, accessibility, and environmental factors

• Gather input from local stakeholders and the public

• Recommend trail amenities and design considerations

• Develop a strategic implementation plan for this multi-jurisdictional trail system

 

The final outcome will be a community-informed blueprint for connecting northern Door County via a safe, accessible, and beautiful bicycle and pedestrian trail network.

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Who's Involved

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This project is led by the Town of Gibraltar with support from:

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• Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

• Door County Trails

• Village of Egg Harbor

• Town of Egg Harbor

• Town of Gibraltar

• Village of Ephraim

• Town of Liberty Grove

• Village of Sister Bay

• Peninsula State Park

• Gibraltar School District

• Wisconsin Department of Transportation

 

Door County Trails is playing an active role in supporting the Bayshore Connectivity Trail project. In addition to serving on the feasibility study’s steering committee, the organization helped secure grant funding that brought in engineering assistance from University of Wisconsin–Platteville students for a proposed bridge connection. Door County Trails has also worked with several local landowners to explore potential trail routes and has provided letters of support to strengthen grant applications and assist with long-term trail maintenance.

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Why It Matters

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The Bayshore Connectivity Trail Feasibility Study is about more than a trail—it’s about building safe, equitable, and healthy communities. This work lays the foundation for a future trail system that will:

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• Reduce reliance on cars, improving safety and air quality

• Provide safe alternatives for students and workers currently walking on the shoulder of STH 42

• Connect communities across municipal lines, supporting social and economic ties

• Encourage healthy, active lifestyles for residents and visitors

• Protect natural areas by guiding recreation toward designated spaces

• Enhance the quality of life in northern Door County for generations to come

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Where Things Stand

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The project is in the feasibility study phase, which includes:

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• Reviewing potential trail routes and design options

• Conducting environmental, terrain, and access evaluations

• Gathering input from community members and key stakeholders

• Drafting a final plan that includes maps, priorities, and a phased approach to development

 

Once completed, this feasibility study will serve as a launchpad for future funding, partnerships, and implementation of a fully connected northern Door County trail system.