Wisconsin State Park System
Rock Island State Park

Park Info

Welcome

This primitive island off the tip of the Door County peninsula and northeast of Washington Island in Lake Michigan offers hiking trails, the oldest lighthouse in Wisconsin, and 2,000 feet of beach. Cars and even bikes are not allowed on the 912-acre island, making for an experience unlike any other Wisconsin state park. Stone buildings, built by a wealthy inventor and his family, who owned the island between 1910 and 1964, house exhibits. The ferry to the island runs Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day.

• Camping
• Activities and Recreation
• Trail Descriptions
• The Pottawatomie Lighthouse
• Rock Island Ferry

Directions

Two ferry rides are needed to reach Rock Island State Park. Take Wisconsin Highway 42 to its end at Northport, the tip of the Door County peninsula. Take the Washington Island Ferry [exit DNR] to Washington Island. The ferry carries people, vehicles, bicycles, and freight. From the Washington Island ferry landing, drive across the island to the northeast side to the Rock Island ferry landing. Leave your vehicle or bike there and take the passengers-only Rock Island Ferry to Rock Island. There are fees for both ferries.

Visitors may take their boats to Rock Island, but caution is urged as Lake Michigan can be hazardous due to reefs and storms. There is a nightly fee of $1 per foot of boat length for all boats mooring overnight at Rock Island. Dock space is limited and cannot be reserved.

Hours

• The park is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Park Fees

• A vehicle admission sticker is not required for the Rock Island ferry parking lot.
• Hunting and Fishing Licenses apply.

Concessions and Rental Equipment

Drinking water is available, but there is no camp store on the island. All supplies and equipment must be brought to the island.

Firewood is sold on Rock Island. The Friends of Rock Island also sell T-shirts and other souvenirs.

Friends Group

• Friends of Rock Island State Park [exit DNR]

Explore the Outdoors

Explore the Outdoors

• Wisconsin Explorer Program

Maps/Publications

Park Maps

• Rock Island State Park Map [PDF]
• Hunting Maps
  

Park Planning

• Master Plan [PDF]

Wisconsin State Park System (WSPS)

• WSPS Plans and Reports

In the Area

Department of Tourism Listings

• Door County [exit DNR]

More In the Area

• Door County Visitor Bureau [exit DNR]
• Wisconsin's Maritime Trails [exit DNR]