Door County Kayaking Locations
David Rack

Kayaking Locations-Ellison Bay
Ellison Bluff Park-Jen Jensen’s Cliff Cabin

Ellison Bay is a great place to seek out a few hidden gems of Door County.  Though it resembles a quaint town, Ellison Bay provides two specific attractions and a few simple reasons that make it a superb kayaking location, Ellison Bluff Park, Jen Jensen’s cliff cabin, low boat traffic, a protected bay, and serenity.

Ellison Bay is located on Hwy 42 north of Sister Bay, and south of Gills Rock.  The kayak launch is located on the Women’s Center Beach (on your left, down the hill as you enter the town from the south).  The town of liberty grove would like everyone to launch their kayak on the left side of the Pier.

Liberty Grove, the County that Ellison Bay is located in has created some regulations to assist in creating a safe kayak launch.  The new regulations have created a safe distance for launching kayaks from motorized boats.  Kayaks are to be launched on the left side of the pier in the Women’s Center.  The beach side is reserved for swimmers.  Motorized boats and sailboats still required to launch on the public boat launch near the Viking Grill.  I applaud the town of liberty grove for creating this safety precaution, but would like to see an easier kayak launch on the sandy side of the pier located at the women’s center beach.  This small kayak launch could be portioned off from swimmers and beach goers as to not dominate the beach with kayaks during the annual kayak symposium or any other time of congestion.  The current kayak launch on the left side of the beach is a difficult and dangerous kayak launch because of the long shallow slippery rocks that have to be crossed to enter the bay. Please call the Town of Liberty Grove to ask for a new kayak launch location to be relocated to the right side of the pier and clearly marked with a simple sign.

After launching and kayaking out into the bay, heading south or left, you will come upon the Ellison Bluff Park.  Ellison Bluff Park is a 174-acre park that encompasses the left side of the bay.  Graze past the shoreline and enjoy gazing up at 100 foot high limestone bluffs.

Cross the bay and start heading north along the shoreline.  This is where you want to start searching for the beautifully crafted Jen Jensen’s Cliff Cabin.  Jen Jensen was the creator of The Clearing, an educational facility that fostered the objective of learning with and through the environmental.  His small cabin that is built with the rear wall being the limestone bluff, is a great example of using the environment wisely.  The cabin has one window, a small bed, a notebook, a pen, a candle, a small fireplace and an opportunity to be with your thoughts.  If you want to explore the cabin, take a hike up to the main Clearing office and make sure it is ok.  Good luck finding it.  And I hope you have a wonderful paddle.

Safety precautions for Kayaking Ellison Bay
• Wind Direction for Pleasant Calm Water Paddling=Wind Directions S,SE, E, less than 15knots, and all other wind directions less than 5knots.
• Paddle with a Partner
• Let someone know how long you will be gone.
• Make sure you and your partner are efficient with your kayaking rescues and techniques.
• Wear booties and use your paddle as a walking stick when walking on the slippery rocks to launch your kayak
DoorCountyKayakTours.com