Sanctuary Guided Hikes: Fall Flowers
2026-09-25 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-09-29 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-09-30 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center, 8166 State Hwy 57, Baileys Harbor, WI, 54202, United States
Sanctuary Guided Hikes: Fall Flowers

Join a naturalist for an exploration of The Ridges Sanctuary. We’ll head out on the trails to learn about the history of The Ridges, the unique features of the Sanctuary habitats, and what makes the Sanctuary the most biologically diverse area in Wisconsin!

Each month’s guided hike follows a theme focusing on unique aspects of the Sanctuary:

September: Fall Flowers

Explore the last of the season’s blooms on this guided hike, featuring plants like goldenrod and aster.

This 90-minute guided hike includes a tour of our Upper Range Light, which has been restored to the period of the last Range Light Keeper. Suitable for all ages.

Fee: Public $10 | Members receive 20% discount | 16 & under free

Registration Required.

Meet: Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center

Accessibility Considerations: On boardwalk and rustic trails, T-Loop system available, daytime program, accessible parking available, restrooms available prior to program starting.

Distance: About 1.5 miles

Register

Bat Chats - Guided Night Hike
2026-09-25 19:00 - 20:30 | Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center, 8166 State Hwy 57, Baileys Harbor, WI, 54202, United States
Bat Chats – Guided Night Hike

Let’s chat about Wisconsin Bats! Join Ridges staff on a hike through the Sanctuary, stopping to learn about the unique adaptations and life cycle of bats. Stop along the way to capture bats on an acoustic monitor.

This program will meet outside of The Ridges Sanctuary Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center (8166 WI-57, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202).* Ridges staff will provide all hikers with a red flashlight for the duration of the hike. Restrooms are not available on the hike.

Pre-registration required. Suitable for ages 14 & up.

Accessibility Considerations: Nature Center closed, bathrooms not available. Evening hike on boardwalk, rustic trails, and sandy beach with uneven surfaces. Flashlights provided.

Distance: 1+ miles

Registration required.

Register

Get to Know The Ridges
2026-09-26 10:00 - 10:45, 2026-09-28 10:00 - 10:45, 2026-10-03 10:00 - 10:45, 2026-10-10 10:00 - 10:45, 2026-10-12 10:00 - 10:45, 2026-10-17 10:00 - 10:45, 2026-10-19 10:00 - 10:45 | Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center, 8166 State Hwy 57, Baileys Harbor, WI, 54202, United States
Get to Know The Ridges

Are you interested in learning about The Ridges, but don’t have time for a 90-minute guided hike? Get an introduction to the Sanctuary from one of our Guided Hike leaders! Get a taste of the history and ecology of the Sanctuary on a stroll down Hidden Brook Boardwalk.

Fee: Included with $5 trail fee. Donations Appreciated!

Accessibility Considerations: This hike starts on the front lawn of the Nature Center (uneven/ unpaved surfaces), then continues down Hidden Brook Boardwalk, daytime program, restrooms available prior to hike, accessible parking available.

Distance: About 0.5 miles to the Upper Range Light

Sanctuary Guided Hikes: Boreal Forest
2026-10-01 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-10-02 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-10-06 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-10-07 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-10-08 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-10-09 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-10-13 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-10-14 10:00 - 11:30 and 3 more dates | Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center, 8166 State Hwy 57, Baileys Harbor, WI, 54202, United States
Sanctuary Guided Hikes: Boreal Forest

Join a naturalist for an exploration of The Ridges Sanctuary. We’ll head out on the trails to learn about the history of The Ridges, the unique features of the Sanctuary habitats, and what makes the Sanctuary the most biologically diverse area in Wisconsin!

Each month’s guided hike follows a theme focusing on unique aspects of the Sanctuary:

October: Boreal Forest

October hikes will feature the forest itself! The Ridges has a distinct forest type from anywhere else on the peninsula – a boreal forest. Learn all about the boreal forest and why we protect it.

This 90-minute guided hike includes a tour of our Upper Range Light, which has been restored to the period of the last Range Light Keeper. Suitable for all ages.

Fee: Public $10 | Members receive 20% discount | 16 & under free

Registration Required.

Meet: Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center

Accessibility Considerations: On boardwalk and rustic trails, T-Loop system available, daytime program, accessible parking available, restrooms available prior to program starting.

Distance: About 1.5 miles

Register

Evening Hikes | October
2026-10-02 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-10-09 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-10-16 17:00 - 18:30 | Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center, 8166 State Hwy 57, Baileys Harbor, WI, 54202, United States
Evening Hikes | October

Like our Night Hikes but earlier! Join us for an evening hike to learn all about dusk happenings at The Ridges and walk our trails during the golden hour. We will learn about the creatures that become active around sunset. This program is perfect for families and those who don’t want to stay out too late. Please do not bring any flashlights, light-up shoes, etc. as we want our eyes to adjust to the dark and to be able to see just as the animals do at night. Suitable for all ages.

This program will meet outside of The Ridges Sanctuary Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center. Ridges staff will provide all hikers with a red flashlight for the duration of the hike. Restrooms are not available on or prior to the hike.

Fee: Public $15 | Members receive 20% discount | 16 & under $7

Registration Required.

Accessibility Considerations: Nature Center closed, bathrooms not available. Evening hike on boardwalk, rustic trails, and sandy beach with uneven surfaces. Flashlights provided.

Distance: Approximately 1 mile

Register

Night Hikes | October
2026-10-02 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-10-09 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-10-16 18:00 - 19:30 | Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center, 8166 State Hwy 57, Baileys Harbor, WI, 54202, United States
Night Hikes | October

Owls, bats, and range lights, oh my! Come explore The Ridges at night! We will learn about the creatures that become active after the sun goes down and check out The Range Lights at work as a navigational aid. Please do not bring any flashlights, light-up shoes, etc. as we want our eyes to adjust to the dark and to be able to see just as the animals do at night. Suitable for ages 8 & up.

This program will meet outside of The Ridges Sanctuary Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center. Ridges staff will provide all hikers with a red flashlight for the duration of the hike. Restrooms are not available on or prior to the hike.

Fee: Public $15 | Members receive 20% discount | 16 & under $7

Registration Required.

Accessibility Considerations: Nature Center closed, bathrooms not available. Evening hike on boardwalk, rustic trails, and sandy beach with uneven surfaces. Flashlights provided.

Distance: Approximately 1 mile

Register

Boos & Brews
2026-10-15 15:00 - 18:00 | Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center, 8166 State Hwy 57, Baileys Harbor, WI, 54202, United States
Boos & Brews

Think Swales & Ales, but Spooky Edition! Explore The Ridges Sanctuary with our Naturalists and discover what plants in and around Door County might be used to create different flavor profiles when brewing beer. After hiking the Sanctuary and discussing some nature-inspired brews, we will head over to Sway Brewing to learn about the beer making process. Program fee includes a Ridges Pint Glass and Brewery pour. Must be 21 or older to participate.

Fee: Public $35 | Members receive 20% discount

Registration Required.

Meet: Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center

Accessibility Considerations: On boardwalk and rustic trails, includes tasting while hiking, walk to Brewery after hike, standing during brewery tour.

Distance: Approximately 1.5 miles

Register

Walk & Talk with Ridges Research Team | October
2026-10-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Family Discovery Trail, Baileys Harbor, WI, United States
Walk & Talk with Ridges Research Team | October

Each month, join us to explore a different aspect of research at The Ridges Applied Research Ecologist Victoria Holderer and Director of Research Tony Kiszonas will take you on an educational hike at various locations in The Ridges property. Please check the meeting location for each date. Suitable for ages 18 & up.

Meet at The Ridges Family Discovery Trail to discuss ongoing research initiatives at The Ridges Sanctuary. During this hike, we will be focusing on the science of fall color, discuss ongoing research projects at The Ridges, and stop by one of our Boreal Climate Survivability plots.

Fee: FREE program. Donations appreciated!

Registration Required.

Accessibility Considerations: Daytime program, outdoor program, portions of hike on boardwalk and rustic trails (uneven surfaces), standing for long periods of time, restrooms available at Nature Center, accessible parking available at Nature Center.

Distance: About 1 mile

Register
