Rock Island is a beautiful island in northern Lake Michigan, and one of the most unusual of Wisconsin's state parks. The island is separated by water (over 12 miles) from the Door Peninsula mainland, and from nearby Washington Island. Rock Island offers interpretative nature hikes, a sand swimming beach, pioneer cemeteries and two outstanding structures; the oldest lighthouse on northern Lake Michigan the Pottawatomie Lighthouse, and the magnificent Thordarson Boat House, completed in 1929 by Chicago inventor and industrialist, C.H. Thordarson. For more information on Rock Island visit The Friends of Rock Island web site.

DAY TRIP – If you plan on visiting Rock Island for a day of hiking on the trails, swimming or a visit to the lighthouse and the boat house, take one of the early morning ferries to the island in order to maximize your time on the island. There is plenty to see and do in addition to finding a comfortable place to enjoy the day. There is no fee for day visits to the island.

CAMPING – If you plan on camping, remember that Rock Island is a primitive state park. That is, there are no showers or flush toilets and no stores. Absolutely no vehicles of any kind including bikes are allowed on the island. Carry your gear to the campsites approximately 1/3 of a mile from the boat house landing. (You may bring a small hand cart for your camping gear.) The island itself is fewer than three miles in length.

FYI – Although there are no flush toilets or showers on Rock Island, there are flush toilets at the State Park Offices in Jackson Harbor. For bathing, there is a great beach for that daily swim!

In order to assure that you get a campsite, make a reservation through the Wisconsin DNR Park website. It is important to have a campsite reservation. If you have problems reserving online or have additional questions, the Rock Island State Park Office number is 920-847-2235. Cost for campsites range from $10 - $15 per night.

Remember: there are no stores on Rock Island. Bring water, food, ice and any other necessities with you. The Park does sell campfire wood (cash only) and T-shirts are also sold. Don't forget your camera!

FISHING, SWIMMING, and BOATING –
Fishing is possible from shore, especially near the boat house (must have Wisconsin fishing license).

Bring a canoe or kayak (taking it over on the ferry if winds are strong), and a few visitors arrive in their own small inflatable or aluminum fishing boats. WARNING: These waters must be respected for safe navigation! We don't recommend boating, canoeing or kayaking in these waters by novices, but it can be a wonderful experience with the proper respect, skills and equipment. When in doubt about water conditions, ask locals or the state park staff for advice.

One of the finest sand beaches for swimming is located on the southeastern shore of Rock Island. These waters can be very cool until mid-June, but summertime and fall surface temperatures are generally moderate in the upper 60s.

Rock Island is located just 1/2 mile northeast of Washington Island's Jackson Harbor. Plan to take two short ferry rides: the 30-minute Washington Island car and passenger ferry from Northport Pier at the tip of the Door Peninsula (Hwy 42); and then load gear, picnic supplies, etc. aboard the KARFI, a 49 passenger-only ferry at Jackson Harbor for a scenic ten minute ride to Rock Island. For directions and maps click here.

TIP – You will need transportation to cover the 8 mile distance across Washington Island, so we recommend bringing your car from Northport by ferry. There is no sticker necessary for parking at Jackson Harbor State Park dock! You pay a park fee only if you camp overnight!

TIP – Allow extra time for slow highway traffic on weekends and holidays. Drive time from Sturgeon Bay is about 1 hour. Driving time from Green Bay is about 2 hours.

TIP – Check both ferry schedules to coordinate your arrivals and allow enough time for:

• A 30-minute ride from Door Peninsula on the mainland to Washington Island's Detroit Harbor
• A 25-minute drive across Washington Island to Jackson Harbor (maybe a quick stop for last minute supplies in downtown Washington Island)
• Unload your gear near the ferry at Jackson Harbor, park your car, board the ferry KARFI, sit back, relax and enjoy the pleasant 15 minute ferry ride to Rock Island.
• If you have not made the trip before, try for a morning or midday ferry connection. That way you'll have plenty of time to explore and get a feel for the island, and set up camp before nightfall!

TIP – The Washington Island Ferry Line operates frequent ferry trips, and loading is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Ferry waiting lines may be longer at midday, weekends and holidays.

For Washington Island Ferry Schedule Click Here
For the Rock Island Ferry Schedule Click Here

For books on the subject, Conan Bryant Eaton's Rock Island is one of the most compact and best sources of information about Rock Island. The book is one in a series Eaton researched and wrote for the Island Series. This soft cover book is available at several island stores and shops, as well as mainland bookstores for $9.95.

Another Rock Island source is H.R. Holand's Old Peninsula Days, which has several chapters on Rock and Washington Island history (the two are often intertwined). Old Peninsula Days is available from Passtimes Books in Sister Bay, and Wm Caxton Books in Ellison Bay.