Toft’s Point: A Door County Nature Preserve

Located on the quiet side in Baileys Harbor, you can go for a walk in a place where time stands still at Toft’s Point Nature Preserve.

Toft’s Point is a nature preserve bought in 1967 by The Nature Conservancy and donated to UWGB in 1968. The preserve spans almost 750 acres of the most pristine natural beauty and rarest of wildlife. Three endangered species call Toft’s Point home. Baileys Harbor is home to three major preservation areas:  Ridges Sanctuary, Mud Lake State Wildlife Area & Toft’s Point which make up one of the most significant natural areas in the Great Lakes Basin.

Toft’s Point in the winter is especially magical. The snow falling among the cedars is so silent; you can hear the waves crashing long before you see the water. The walk out to the end of the path brings you to a beautiful view of North Bay. The rocks are caked in thick ice from the constant crashing of waves.   This truly is one of the last places to remain untouched by time and technology.

Toft’s Point is named after the family that settled the area in the 1870’s. Thomas Toft brought his family to live on the Point just outside Baileys Harbor. After Thomas died in 1919, Emma, one of his seven children, returned home to live with her mother. She opened up a summer resort which consisted of the five small cabins located on the property.  The buildings are for the most part still completely intact.

It is actually very easy to reach this time capsule tucked away on the shore in Baileys Harbor. Simply take Ridges Rd (look for the Sandpiper Restaurant) out towards the end. You will pass Ridges Sanctuary and Ridges beach and travel farther down the road. Right before the road splits, there is a small unmarked road leading off to your left. The only way to get back to the sanctuary is to turn on this road, simply marked Toft Point Rd. Follow this road back and you will find a small parking area at the gate.

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