This Saturday, the 20th annual Fall 50 comes straight down Highway 42 through Sister Bay, right past our front door. Thousands of runners (and a fair number of costumes) will cover 50 miles from Gills Rock to Sturgeon Bay, and we’ll be out front cheering every one of them. If you’ve ever wondered what all the fuss is about, we put together a complete guide to the race, from how it started to how to land a team spot next year.
The Fall 50 might be the headliner, but it’s not the closing act. Door County stays active long after the leaves come down, with trail races, quiet hikes and a Thanksgiving morning run your dog can join. Lace up, come up, and let us handle the recovery. Book your fall getaway and we’ll keep the fire going.
Getting Ready to Run, Part Four: What Is the Fall 50?
It started in 2006 as a “last hurrah” for the Midwest running season and has grown into one of the best weekends of the year in Door County. Solo ultrarunners and relay teams of two to five share a 50.7-mile course, split into 10 legs that pass through Sister Bay, Ephraim, Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek and Egg Harbor before a finish-line party at Sunset Park. Our new guide covers the history, the course, the best spots to watch and how to register.
Thinking about 2027? The next Fall 50 is Saturday, October 23, 2027, and registration opens April 1 at noon. Team spots went in less than a week this year, so plan ahead, and book your room early.
Hike the Quiet Season
November is the best-kept secret on the peninsula’s trails. The crowds are gone, the parking is easy, and the bare trees open up views of the bay you’ll never see in July. Peninsula State Park’s 20 miles of hiking trails stay open year-round, from the easy Sentinel Trail to the rocky Eagle Trail along the bluff. (Heads up: Eagle Tower’s normal season ends October 31, so plan on it being closed.)
One important note for November hikers: it’s also blaze orange season. Wisconsin’s gun deer hunt runs November 21 through 29, and hunting is allowed in parts of our state parks. The Door County Land Trust has a great rundown on staying safe on the trails this time of year, including an orange vest for your pup.
Door County in November: Complete Guide for 2026
Run Off the Turkey — With Your Dog!
Start Thanksgiving with a lap around Sister Bay. The Northern Door Turkey Trot & Dog Jog is a free, family-friendly 1-mile or 5K fun run hosted by Door County Fitness Studio on Thanksgiving morning, November 26. Doors open at 8:30 and the run starts at 9:00. Leashed dogs are welcome on the course and even inside the gym, and donations and shirt sales benefit Friends of Gibraltar.
A dog jog, just down the road from our dog-friendly wing? We couldn’t have planned it better.
Northern Door Turkey Trot & Dog Jog
Earn Your Glühwein
You put in the miles. Now celebrate them. The Door County Christkindlmarkt returns to Sister Bay’s Corner of the Past museum for its sixth year, over three weekends: November 27 to 29, December 4 to 6 and December 11 to 13. Expect unique artisan vendors, traditional Nordic food, live music and a hot mug of Glühwein, with two big winterized tents this year to keep everyone warm. Open Hearth Lodge is a proud sponsor of the market.
Make it a Thanksgiving weekend to remember: Turkey Trot Thursday, Sister Bay’s Capture the Spirit village lighting November 27 and 28, and the market all weekend long. Book your holiday getaway now.
One More Thing: Your Spring Goal Race
Looking for a reason to keep training through the winter? The Door County Half Marathon and Nicolet Bay 5K return to Peninsula State Park on Saturday, May 1, 2027. The closed, USATF-certified course loops through the park with lake views, wooded shade and a few honest hills, finishing with a post-race party near Nicolet Beach. Open Hearth Lodge is a proud sponsor, and a race entry plus a weekend with us makes a great holiday gift for the runner in your life.