Forestville: Ahnapee State Trail, Water and History

Depending on whether outdoor activity, riverside nature or architectural history matters most to you, you can choose a focus for your stay in Forestville. The details below offer points of reference for activities, landscapes and history.

Waterside landscape at Forestville Dam

Forestville Dam Park is located beside the 13-acre Mill Pond, which becomes the Ahnapee River. The Ahnapee River is a flowing waterway with a gentle gradient; at Forestville, there is a 65-acre impoundment. Forestville Dam County Park covers 79 acres and is next to Forestville Dam, the Millpond and the Ahnapee River. The three area figures refer to different things: 13 acres for Mill Pond, 65 acres for the impoundment and 79 acres for the county park. This distinction helps you keep the park area separate from the water areas when considering the figures. Nature enthusiasts will also find another specific point of interest: fish migrations in the Ahnapee River extend upstream as far as the dam at Forestville.

The Ahnapee State Trail

The Ahnapee State Trail is 30 miles long and connects Sturgeon Bay, Forestville, Algoma and Casco. It is open to hiking, biking, running, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. The route was formerly a railway line of the Ahnapee & Western Railway. This brings together two distinct aspects: the recreational activities permitted today and the route’s former use as a railway, which gives it a historical connection.

Parking for trail users is available at Forestville Dam County Park, directly on the Ahnapee State Trail. If the trail is part of your travel plans, this is a specific parking option in Forestville.

Architectural history and local memory

St. Mary's Church is located at 7491 County Highway H in the unincorporated community of Maplewood in Forestville Township/Village. Built in 1901, it is a brick church in the Early Gothic Revival style and has historically been used as a place of worship. Its construction date, building material and architectural style offer specific points of reference if you are interested in historic architecture.

In November 2008, Forestville Dam County Park received a commemorative plaque from the Door County Historical Society recognizing its significance to local history. The church’s construction date, material and architectural style are the focus there; the plaque concerns the park’s historical significance. These are two distinct points of connection to cultural history.

The trail, river landscape and history offer different ways to think about Forestville as a travel destination. When choosing a hotel, you can consider whether the permitted activities on the Ahnapee State Trail, the waterways and fish migrations, or the historical connections matter most to your stay.

Discover more destinations: Ephraim, Sister Bay, Sturgeon Bay, Fish Creek, Baileys Harbor.

View the main travel guide: Door County.