Washington Island is located off the tip of the Door County Pennisula in Wisconsin. This 35 square mile island is the second oldest Icelandic Settlement in North America. Washington Island is reached by taking the Washington Island Car Ferry at the Northport Pier.
Washington Island offers a unique vacation experience. There are a variety of accommodations, restaurants, shops and museums. Recreational activities include biking, swimming, camping, fishing, and hiking to name a few. The Island Calendar of Events offers additional activities including art classes, a music festival, Fish Boils (well known throughout Door County!), a salmon tournament, dance festival, flea market, Island Players summer shows and 5K/10K walk-runs.
During your 30 minute ferry ride to the Island you will pass Pilot Island, Plum Island and Detroit Island.You will also pass through Death's Door, named for the turbulent current between Lake Michigan and Green Bay. When you return to the mainland, check out Death's Door Spirits...yum!!
A fun way to explore the Island is a Cherry Train Tour. Tours are 2 hours long with 4 stops along the way. You can catch the Cherry Train at the Washington Island Ferry.
A very unique point-of-interest is School House Beach, which is located on the Northside of the Island. From the Ferry follow Lobdell Point Rd to Main Rd (Left), right on Jackson Harbor Rd and left at the sign for the beach. Note: It looks like you're turning into a cemetery and you are! You have to drive through to get to the beach.
School House Beach is one of only five beaches in the world with perfectly smooth stones. Please do not remove the stones! They are very rare! Schoolhouse Beach offers crystal clear water in a deep harbor. Picnic tables, grills, swimming rafts and toilets are available. Dogs are not allowed. Usually there is a raft to which you can swim, but it was so cold leading up to this trip that it was not yet in the water.
Fun Fact: This beautiful beach use to be the Island campground (Sue and her family camped there when she was a kid!) If you are interested in camping, Washington Island Campground is located on East Side Drive.
If you prefer a sandy beach head to Sand Dunes Park on South Shore Drive. This beach is located on the southern shore of the island and picnics, hiking and swimming are permitted.
Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm Shop and Le Petite Bistro at 1350 Airport Rd offers lavender products and a beautiful spot to enjoy something to eat, overlooking the lavender field. It has been determined that the soil and climate on Washington Island is ideal for growing lavender.
Trinity Lutheran Stavkirke on Town Line Rd is a replica of a Borgund Norway Stave Church. Explore the prayer path, boardwalk and church.
Head down Mountain Rd to Mountain Park and Lookout Tower. Head up the stairs and tower for a beautiful view above the treetops of the north side of the island. A small picnic area is provided.
When visiting Washington Island save time to visit Rock Island State Park. You can reach Rock Island State Park by heading to Jackson Harbor (Jackson Harbor Rd, follow signs to ferry) and catching the Karfi Passenger Ferry. A ten minute ride will drop you off at the Rock Island Boathouse. Make sure to check the ferry schedule for your return trip.
Rock Island is 912 acres and is owned by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The island has scenic hiking, a beautiful sand dune beach, remote camping, a lighthouse and a beautiful historic boathouse.
Rock Island was a Native American settlement, fishing village, navigational landmark and the summer home of electrical inventor Chester Thordarson. Pottawatomie light station was established in 1836 and was the first U. S. Government Lighthouse on Lake Michigan, in Wisconsin. The Viking Hall Boathouse was built with dolomite cobble stone. Take a few minutes to walk through it - it is impressive and is listed on State and National Registers of Historic Places.
Camping is available at Rock Island Campground. It is highly recommended that you make reservations for one of the 40 campsites. Sites are primitive - no electricity so bring a french press! Pit toilets and drinking water are available at the campground; flushable toilets are available for day visitors. You must transport all of your gear from the ferry to your campsite. Carts are available at the dock for this purpose.
Tours of the lighthouse are available Memorial Day until Columbus Day, from 10am to 4 pm daily, by volunteer docents. Steps to the lake are located just east of the lighthouse. These stairs take you down the bluff to the water. If the water level is low you can walk along the rocky shoreline, but be careful. A small sea cave is off to the left. Again, care should be taken as the nearest hospital is 55 miles and two ferry rides away.
Finish off your day by returning to Washington Island and taking in a beautiful sunset. The best place we found for viewing the sunset is Peoples Park. Peoples Park is a small park located on Little Lake Road on the northwest end of the island. Follow Main Road north to Little Lake Road. Look for the Park sign on the left side of the road. The only place to park is along the road, so look for parked cars to help you locate the park. Check the time for the sunset and arrive early to get a good viewing spot.
Washington Island and Rock Island State Park Highlights Video
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