Square Rigger Lodge
6332 State Highway 57
Jacksonport, WI
The quiet side of the peninsula, 286 feet of Lake Michigan beach, and the only beachfront coffee shop in Door County.
About Square Rigger Lodge
Door County is the peninsula that juts north from Green Bay into Lake Michigan, a 75-mile stretch of carved shoreline, cherry orchards, state parks, and small harbors. Jacksonport is on the Lake Michigan side of the peninsula, the quieter and less developed shore, with sandy beaches rather than rocky bluffs. Square Rigger Lodge sits on State Highway 57 with 286 feet of private sandy Lake Michigan beachfront. The property has operated as a motel and waterfront destination here for decades, independently owned throughout, and has built a strong regional following for exactly what it is: a beach-facing motor lodge with a beachfront coffee shop serving Door County Coffee and a large shaded yard between the building and the water. USA Today has recognized it among the top roadside motels in America two consecutive years, in 2025 and 2026.
What Square Rigger Lodge Is Known For
Square Rigger Lodge has won USA Today's Best Roadside Motel award two consecutive years. The property is independently owned, seasonally operated, and has maintained its character as a straightforward Lake Michigan beachfront motor lodge without converting to something more elaborate. The beachfront coffee shop, the private beach, and the mix of motel rooms and cottages create a layered property where the core offering is simple: 286 feet of Lake Michigan sand and a place to sleep directly beside it.
Amenities
- WiFi
- 286 feet of private Lake Michigan sandy beachfront
- Beachfront coffee shop serving Door County Coffee
- Large shaded yard with fire pit
- Suite with full kitchen and living area
- Five beachfront cottages with equipped kitchens
- Free WiFi throughout
- Free on-site parking
What Guests Love
- 286 feet of private sandy Lake Michigan beachfront: a genuine private beach at a motor lodge price, not a resort rate
- On-site beachfront Door County Coffee shop: the regional roaster that anchors Door County's coffee culture, available from the shoreline
- Independently owned and operated, seasonal by design: the property closes in winter and runs fully as a summer lake destination
- Mix of room types from motel rooms to beachfront cottages: the right option depending on group size and how close to the water you want to be
Worth Knowing
- The property is seasonal, open mid-May through October only: plan accordingly and confirm availability for your dates
- Pets are not allowed
- The Lake Breeze Rental House is a full 4-bedroom vacation rental, not a motel room: a different product for larger groups
- Door County is a popular summer destination: book well in advance for July and August weekends, which fill months ahead
- The beachfront cottages and the rental house may have different minimum-stay requirements than the motel rooms: check the website when booking
The Room
Standard motel rooms on the first and second floors of the main lodge building, with room configurations including king, queen, and double beds. A suite with a full kitchen, stove, refrigerator, and living area is attached to the main motel building. Five separate beachfront cottages offer more privacy and fully equipped kitchens, with direct access to the shore. The Lake Breeze Rental House provides four bedrooms, three bathrooms, full kitchen with new furnishings, washer and dryer, and a gas fireplace for larger groups. Free WiFi throughout the property.
The Grounds
The 286-foot private sandy beach on Lake Michigan is the defining feature of the property. A large shaded yard separates the main building from the water and functions as the communal outdoor space during the day and into the evening. A fire pit on the grounds serves as a gathering point. The on-site beachfront coffee shop serves Door County Coffee, which is roasted in Sturgeon Bay and is the signature regional coffee of the peninsula. Free WiFi extends across the property. The lodge is seasonal: open mid-May through October.
The Experience
Door County runs on water and seasons. The Lake Michigan shore at Jacksonport is the calmer, sandier side of the peninsula compared to the Green Bay shore's rocky bluffs. Cave Point County Park, five miles north, has the wave-carved limestone formations that photograph across Door County's identity: water forcing through rock chambers and shooting vertical. Jacksonport State Park is half a mile away, with a swimming beach and a fishing pier. The peninsula's state parks, particularly Newport and Peninsula State Park, are within 15 to 20 miles and offer hundreds of miles of trails, kayaking, and camping. The cherry orchards that cover the interior of the peninsula bloom in May and produce from August through September.
Details
Jacksonport, WI 54235
The Boutel designation is earned, not purchased. Boutels is editorially independent and has no financial relationship with any listed property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Square Rigger Lodge have EV charging?
No, Square Rigger Lodge does not have EV charging.
Does Square Rigger Lodge have WiFi?
Yes, Square Rigger Lodge has WiFi.
What is there to do near Square Rigger Lodge?
Cave Point County Park: 5 miles, about a 10 minute drive, or you can bike there. Jacksonport State Park: 0.5 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk. Newport State Park: 16 miles, about a 30 minute drive.
How far is Square Rigger Lodge from Cave Point County Park?
5 miles, about a 10 minute drive, or you can bike there.
How far is Square Rigger Lodge from Jacksonport State Park?
0.5 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk.
How far is Square Rigger Lodge from Newport State Park?
16 miles, about a 30 minute drive.
When is Square Rigger Lodge open?
The property is seasonal, open from mid-May through October. It is closed in the winter months.
Is there a private beach at Square Rigger Lodge?
Yes. The property has 286 feet of private sandy Lake Michigan beachfront, with a large shaded yard between the motel building and the water.
Are pets allowed at Square Rigger Lodge?
No. The property does not allow pets.
What types of accommodations does Square Rigger Lodge offer?
The property offers 12 standard motel rooms on the first and second floors of the main motel building, a suite with a full kitchen and living area attached to the motel, five beachfront cottages with equipped kitchens, and the Lake Breeze Rental House, a 4-bedroom house with full amenities available for larger groups.
What is the beachfront coffee shop at Square Rigger Lodge?
The property has an on-site coffee shop serving Door County Coffee, a well-known regional roaster based in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The coffee shop is positioned on the beachfront and is open to guests.
What is Door County, Wisconsin like as a destination?
Door County is a peninsula between Lake Michigan and Green Bay in northeastern Wisconsin, with 300 miles of shoreline, five state parks, and 11 lighthouses. The peninsula draws visitors year-round for sailing, hiking, kayaking, and fall foliage, with summer peak season bringing fish boils, farm stands, and full beach access.
Does Square Rigger Lodge have a pool?
Square Rigger Lodge does not have a pool. The property has a communal fire pit area.
Is parking available at Square Rigger Lodge?
Yes. Free on-site parking is available at Square Rigger Lodge.
Does Square Rigger Lodge include breakfast?
No. Breakfast is not included at Square Rigger Lodge.
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Things to Do Near Door County
Cave Point County Park
5 miles, about a 10 minute drive, or you can bike there.
Cave Point County Park is the most photographed location in Door County: limestone cliffs carved by Lake Michigan wave action into chambers and cavities that force water vertical when waves run in. The park is small in acreage but visually dramatic, with a shoreline walk along the carved rock face. Swimming is not recommended due to the wave action, but kayaking along the cliffs when conditions are calm is the defining Door County water experience.
Jacksonport State Park
0.5 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk.
Jacksonport State Park sits half a mile from Square Rigger Lodge on the Lake Michigan shore, with a sandy swimming beach, a fishing pier, and picnic grounds directly on the water. The park is the closest state-designated swimming beach to the lodge and a calm, uncrowded option for a morning or afternoon in the water without driving anywhere.
Newport State Park
16 miles, about a 30 minute drive.
Newport State Park is Door County's only wilderness state park, at the tip of the peninsula with 11 miles of hiking trails through undeveloped boreal forest and two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. It is a designated Dark Sky State Park, one of very few in the Midwest, making it the best stargazing destination on the peninsula. The backcountry campsites are hike-in only and reservations fill early in summer.