Guide to Visiting Rock Island State Park — Door County, WI
Rock Island State Park is the most remote of Door County's state parks, sitting on a small island in Lake Michigan just off the northern tip of the peninsula. You need to take two ferries to reach it. There are no cars on the island, only trails, a historic lighthouse, a swimming beach, primitive campsites and a surprising set of stone buildings from the island's days as a millionaire's private retreat. The park is exactly what I expect from a great state park — the perfect combination of natural beauty and fascinating local history.
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My Experience at Rock Island State Park
I visited Rock Island State Park on a Friday in late September as part of a larger girls' trip itinerary. We planned ahead to visit on the Friday of our trip, when additional ferry departures between the islands gave us the most flexibility on timing.
The Karfi ferry from Washington Island to Rock Island is only about 10 minutes, and the boathouse you pull up to on arrival is a stunning structure perched on the limestone cliffs — it almost felt as if somewhere along the route through Lake Michigan you had been transported to a village in the Mediterranean Sea. The crowds were thin in late September so it was easy to spread out and feel like we had this formerly private island all to ourselves. In lieu of doing the full loop around the island's coast, we opted to do an out-and-back hike to the Pottawatomie Lighthouse, explore the Nordic-inspired boathouse, and enjoy a picnic lunch on a sandy beach that could rival any East Coast beach.
Rock Island State Park Quick Facts
Location: Rock Island sits about a mile off Washington Island, northeast of Jackson Harbor, just off the northern tip of the Door County peninsula. It covers about 900 acres.
State park fee: A vehicle admission pass is not required at Rock Island State Park or the Rock Island ferry parking lot. You'll pay ferry fares for both the Washington Island Ferry and the Rock Island ferry (see Getting There).
Open year-round: The park is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round. However, the Rock Island ferry only runs from Memorial Day weekend through the second Monday in October, so the island is effectively a seasonal destination. There's no winter ferry, and the DNR doesn't recommend crossing over the ice.
Miles of trail: About 10 miles of hiking trails and about 6 miles of shoreline
Activities: Hiking, swimming, walk-in camping, fishing (license required), lighthouse tours, kayaking and canoeing, picnicking, and boating
No vehicles allowed. Small carts are permitted on the ferry (for a fee) and the island, but ferry space is limited.
What Makes Rock Island Special
Rock Island has a more layered history than most state parks. Chester Thordarson, an Icelandic-born electrical inventor from Chicago, began buying up the island in 1910 and built a vacation estate here, including a stone boathouse with a great hall inspired by Icelandic design. His family sold the island to the state in 1964, and the park opened the following year. The island is also home to the Pottawatomie Lighthouse, built in 1836, which is Wisconsin's oldest lighthouse.
Put together, that makes for a very unusual state park: a primitive, wooded island with a millionaire's retreat nestled among the scenic shoreline.
Things to Do at Rock Island State Park
Visit the Boathouse and Viking Hall
Overlooking the ferry landing is Thordarson's stone boathouse, one of the island's most striking buildings and its largest. Its upper level, called the Viking Hall or great hall, has a huge fieldstone fireplace and carved furniture. The boathouse also doubles as a park office and gift shop where you can pick up free maps and grab a souvenir. My favorite element was the wood-carved chandelier in the center of the space. If the walls could talk, I suspect they'd have some very good stories about their heyday in Thordarson's time.
Tour the Pottawatomie Lighthouse
At the north end of the island, the 1836 Pottawatomie Lighthouse is open for daily tours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during the ferry season, led by volunteers from the Friends of Rock Island. Tours seemed to start on a rolling basis as visitors arrived, rather than on a set timetable, and included all of the living quarters as well as the lantern room at the top. The views span across Lake Michigan where you can see other small islands and on a clear day, parts of the Upper Peninsula. The lighthouse was lovingly restored with period-appropriate furnishings for around 1910 and the structure itself is in incredible condition (the original wood floors are to die for!).
The lighthouse is about a 1.5-mile hike each way from the ferry dock.
Fun fact: your phone may pick up Michigan cell towers here and jump to Eastern time, so don't panic if it suddenly thinks it's an hour later and you're about to miss your ferry.
Hike the Thordarson Loop Trail
The Thordarson Loop Trail is the island's signature hike at 5.2 miles, following the island's perimeter. It's named for the Thordarson family and passes the lighthouse, historic cemeteries, scenic overlooks, and an old stone water tower.
There's also a 1.2-mile trail through the middle of the island that links the east and west shores, and several shorter trails connecting the campsites and the day-use area. That makes shorter hikes easy to put together if you're only visiting for a few hours.
Swim and Relax on the Sandy Beach
The DNR calls Rock Island's beach one of the most beautiful sand beaches in Door County. It's a good place to spend a few hours after a hike and where we enjoyed a picnic lunch. The dunes, clear waters lapping along the shore, and neighboring forested cliffs created a tranquil setting. We had the shoreline almost entirely to ourselves, which felt like a rare Door County luxury. We didn't pack our swimsuits, so I can't speak to the water temperature in early fall, but I'm sure this spot gets much busier in summer. Changing stalls are available if you visit and want to switch into dry clothes before making your way back to the mainland.
Picnic Areas
Near the boathouse is a large playfield and picnic area with tables and grills. Plan ahead, since you'll need to pack in and pack out anything you want to eat or drink while visiting. We packed sandwiches and snacks that fit in our daypack and didn't need refrigeration or cooking, so we skipped the grills.
Camp on the Island
Rock Island has 40 primitive walk-in tent sites. Everything you bring has to be carried in and out, so pack light. Drinking water and restrooms are available on the island, and firewood is for sale (cash only). Reservations are encouraged and can be made up to 11 months ahead. We didn't camp on this visit due to time constraints but chatted with some campers on our return ferry and they couldn't say enough good things about the experience.
Kayaking and Boating
The Karfi will carry canoes and kayaks for a small fee, at the captain's discretion based on space and safety. The DNR also notes that Lake Michigan can be hazardous around the island because of reefs and storms. Boaters who moor overnight pay a nightly fee of $1 per foot of boat length.
Hunting Season
Hunting is allowed in open areas of the park during the state park hunting season, which overlaps with fall visits. If you're going in autumn, check the park's hunting map and rules before you go.
Support Rock Island State Park
Rock Island is looked after by the Friends of Rock Island State Park, a nonprofit that partners with the Wisconsin DNR to protect the island’s history and natural spaces. Volunteers and donations from the Friends help fund visitor programs and the lighthouse tours.
If you'd like to help, you can donate through Door County's State Park Challenge.
Getting There
Getting to Rock Island takes two ferry rides and a drive across Washington Island.
Drive to the end of Highway 42, to the Northport ferry terminal at the northern tip of the Door County peninsula.
Take the Washington Island Ferry across to Washington Island, about a 30-minute ride. It carries vehicles, bikes, and passengers.
Drive or bike across Washington Island to the Rock Island ferry landing at Jackson Harbor, about nine miles from the island's main ferry dock. If you are short on time and planning to do both islands as a day trip, I recommend planning to take your vehicle on the ferry and drive across Washington Island.
Park at Jackson Harbor and take the passenger-only Karfi ferry to Rock Island, about a 10-minute ride. Parking there doesn't require a state park pass.
As of September 2026, the round-trip cost for two people and a vehicle for both ferries was $92. Check the Washington Island Ferry Line for the most up-to-date timetables and fare pricing.
Ferry Pro tips:
If you're paying with credit card, pre-pay for your round-trip fare for both the Washington Island and Rock Island ferries at the Northport Ferry Terminal. You may pay for the Rock Island ferry at Jackson Harbor if you choose, but be aware only cash is accepted at the Jackson Harbor ferry terminal.
Arrive early for your ferry departure. I recommend at least 30 minutes early for your outbound ferries and up to an hour early for your return ferry from Washington Island back to the mainland.
Plan your day around having at least one more ferry after your planned departure (i.e., if the ferry runs on the hour and the last ferry of the day is 6 p.m., plan to take the 5 p.m.). This gives you a backup if you don't make it on your planned ferry.
Sample Rock Island State Park Day Trip Itinerary
Here's how we timed our day trip from the mainland, visiting on a Friday in late September. Plan around your own ferry schedule, since departures vary by season and day of the week.
| Time | What We Did |
|---|---|
| 7:30 a.m. | Arrive at the Northport ferry terminal and get in line. This is the first island-bound ferry of the day, so it was very busy. Even arriving this early, we were among the last vehicles loaded. |
| 8:00 a.m. | Depart Northport on the Washington Island Ferry. |
| 8:30 a.m. | Arrive on Washington Island and unload. |
| 8:45 a.m. | Grab coffee at Red Cup Coffee House. |
| 9:15 a.m. | Stop at the Stavkirke, Washington Island's stave church. |
| 9:30 a.m. | Arrive at Jackson Harbor, the Rock Island ferry landing. |
| 10:00 a.m. | Board the Karfi ferry to Rock Island State Park. |
| 10:10 a.m. | Arrive on Rock Island and explore: the boathouse, a hike to the Pottawatomie Lighthouse, and a picnic lunch on the beach. |
| 2:15 p.m. | Take the Karfi back to Washington Island. |
| 2:25 p.m. | Arrive back at Jackson Harbor. |
| 2:35 p.m. | Visit Schoolhouse Beach on Washington Island. |
| 3:05 p.m. | Get in line for the return ferry to the mainland. |
| 4:00 p.m. | Depart Washington Island on the ferry back to Northport. |
Tips for Visiting Rock Island State Park
Check ferry schedules for both crossings before you go. The Rock Island ferry doesn't run in winter and schedules are more limited in shoulder seasons.
Pack light if you're camping. Carts help and are available at the boathouse, but ferry space is limited.
Bring plenty of snacks and water for your time on the island, since there are no concessions on Rock Island.
Allow enough time to see the lighthouse and boathouse, not just hike.
Check the weather. Lake Michigan conditions affect both ferries.
Rock Island State Park FAQ
Do you need a car to visit Rock Island State Park?
Cars are not allowed on Rock Island itself, but we recommend bringing your vehicle on the Washington Island Ferry. The Rock Island ferry landing at Jackson Harbor is about nine miles from Washington Island's main ferry dock (where you arrive from the mainland), and public transportation is limited. If you're short on time, driving across Washington Island is the most practical option. If you have more time to spend on Washington Island, bikes are allowed on the Washington Island ferry or available to rent from outfitters near the ferry port.
Do you need a Wisconsin state park pass for Rock Island?
A vehicle admission pass isn't required at Rock Island State Park or at the Jackson Harbor ferry parking lot. You'll pay ferry fares for both the Washington Island Ferry and the Karfi to Rock Island. Campers can reserve campsites in advance online but a pass is not needed.
How much does it cost to get to Rock Island?
As of September 2026, our round-trip cost for two people and one vehicle on both ferries was $92. Fares change, so check the Washington Island Ferry Line for current pricing and timetables. You can pre-pay both ferries by card at the Northport terminal. If you wait to pay for the Karfi ferry at Jackson Harbor, it's cash only.
How long should you spend on Rock Island?
We spent about four hours on the island, which was enough for an out-and-back hike to the lighthouse (about 1.5 miles each way), a tour of the boathouse, and a picnic lunch on the beach. If you want to hike the full 5.2-mile Thordarson Loop, plan for more time. The lighthouse out-and-back took about 1 hour not including a tour of the lighthouse itself. Camping is the best option if you'd like a slower pace.
Can you visit Rock Island State Park in the winter?
The park itself is open year-round, but the Rock Island ferry only runs from Memorial Day weekend through the second Monday in October. There's no winter ferry, and the DNR doesn't recommend crossing the ice. Plan your trip for the summer or fall, and check the ferry schedule, which is more limited in the shoulder seasons.
What is the best time to visit Rock Island State Park?
Late September worked well for us, with smaller crowds and comfortable hiking weather. Summer is likely busier and better for swimming, and it has the most ferry departures. Keep in mind that hunting is allowed in open areas of the park during the fall hunting season, so check the park's hunting map before you go.
Are there places to eat on Rock Island?
No. There's no restaurant on the island, so pack your own food and water. Picnic tables and grills are available near the boathouse, but you'll need to carry in everything you plan to eat or drink. We brought sandwiches and snacks that didn't need refrigeration or cooking.
Can you camp on Rock Island?
Yes. There are 40 primitive walk-in tent sites, and reservations can be made up to 11 months ahead. Drinking water and restrooms are available, and firewood is sold on the island (cash only). Everything must be carried in and out, so pack light. Carts are available at the boathouse, but ferry space is limited.
Is Rock Island State Park worth the trip?
Absolutely. It takes more planning than most Door County parks, and two ferries means you'll earn your views. But a historic lighthouse, a boathouse that looks like it belongs on the Mediterranean Sea, and a nearly empty beach in late September made it one of the highlights of our week.
Want more tips, personalized recommendations and access to perks such as complimentary upgrades and spa credits? I would love to help you book your Door County trip!
Hi, I’m Jess
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