Pottawatomie Lighthouse, also known as the Rock Island Light, is a lighthouse in Rock Island State Park, on Rock Island in Door County, Wisconsin. Lit in 1836, it is the oldest light station in Wisconsin and on Lake Michigan. It was served by civilian light keepers from 1836 to 1946, at which point it was automated.
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Beautiful, historic lighthouse with a fascinating rich history. It is so worth the 1.25 mile hike out to it from the dock. The trail there may not be for everyone. It’s not terribly strenuous, but if you have trouble walking on uneven rocky paths up gently slopes, you might have issues. It’s so worth it though. I was able to have a free tour with one of the very knowledgeable docents who stay there for a week at a time. She and the other guides had superb knowledge of the history and time period of when this lighthouse was in operation. We could even go up into the tower where a replica of the light stands. It was a tight climb and a bit hot up there in June but it made for a fun photo op and a gorgeous view out over the lake. If you are going back on the ferry, be sure and keep track of your time. The ferry picks up people every hour at 15 after. Also BRING CASH if you want to buy something in the lighthouse store. I really wanted a tshirt but had...
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🚙 No cars or bikes are allowed on the island.
💡I think the highlight of the island is Pottawatomie Lighthouse. Built in 1858, it’s the oldest lighthouse in the state. It’s staged for the 1910 period, and live-in volunteers provide free guided tours daily from Memorial Day through early October.
🥾It’s a 1.3 mile hike each way from the ferry landing to the lighthouse.
🐾 Dogs are NOT allowed in the lighthouse.
⛴️ It takes 2 ferries to get to Rock Island. First, you’ll get on the Washington Island ferry from the tip of Door County to Washington Island. After driving to the other side of the island and leaving your car, you can board Karfi, a passenger ferry, to Rock Island. You can take your own boat to the island, but it’s not recommended, as there is very limited space on the boat dock and the complexity of Lake Michigan’s reefs & storms can make the journey difficult. For 1 car and 1 adult camper, it was $63 total...
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A must visit to the lighthouse / museum if you are day tripping from Washington Island — that said, HIGHLY recommend camping here as there are some incredible sizable campsites with varied water views in every direction - Green Bay, Lake MI, WI and across to Michigan!!
My son and I visited last year and had an incredible camping experience, and during our lighthouse visit, spoke to the docents and then decided to volunteer to ‘host docent’ ourselves this year. A week long commitment to learn the history of this incredible landmark, tend to visitors, but wow - we should have PAID THEM to stay here IMO!!!
Highly recommend checking it out, having an incredible 1:1 off the grid week together while hosting amazing visitors from around the country who are soaking in this landmark from 1836. Check it out and more on being a docent at FORI (Friends of Rock Island)...
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