DOOR COUNTY (NBC 26) — The beautiful red, orange and yellow hues of fall are just barely beginning to emerge on the trees in Door County, but are already bringing hundreds of tourists to the area to watch the change of season.
People climbed up the stairs of the 60-foot tall Eagle Tower at Peninsula State Park in Fish Creek Wednesday to view the start of autumn's changing colors against the clear, blue water. Others walked up the new 850-foot accessible ramp, taking in the green trees around them.
Jennifer Birkholz, assistant superintendent at Peninsula State Park, said they had a busy summer that seems to be extending into fall.
"Fall here can sometimes get busier than the summer. And with the increase in summer crowds, especially with the new tower, I'm expecting probably a larger crowd than usual," Birkholz said. "We're seeing a lot of first-time visitors to Door County. People who haven't been up here before, and have gotten wind of it, and really want to come up here and visit. (They) found that they probably couldn't come in the summertime, because it was already pre-booked up. They're finding whatever is open and that happens to be fall time."
Birkholz said some weekdays are so busy it feels more like a weekend.
Peninsula State Park sees 1.2 to 1.5 million visitors annually. Birkholz said she expects at least 1.5 million visitors this year, if not more.
"I think we're seeing an influx in people, because of the pandemic," Birkholz said. "(They're) looking to get outside and they are coming to the state parks."
Pumpkins, hay bales, and Halloween decorations sit outside several Egg Harbor businesses.
Jon Jarosh, the interim CEO and director of communications & public relations for Destination Door County, said the area had a "spectacular" summer season. Exact tourism numbers aren't in yet, but Jarosh said it appears to be one of the busiest summers ever in Door County.
Based on preliminary reservation information, Jarosh said 2021 could also bring one of Door County's busiest fall seasons.
"It's always a busy time, but this year especially we've seen great interest in people visiting. I think this fall is going to be great," Jarosh said. "It feels very good, especially coming off a down year a little bit in 2020 due to COVID."
Jarosh said demand remains high and suggests people make reservations and bookings early.
Door County's current fall color report is at 20% and is expected to peak during the second week of October.
