Rock Island State Park — Attraction in Town of Washington

I’m gonna start this off by this is the best place I’ve ever been, if you want to make memories, then this is the right place to go😀❤️. I made a review last year also so you can go check that out too 😀

Even though it’s a little bit of work getting up to rock Island because you have to take two boats from door county, which is sometimes super fun because you make a lot of memories on the boats. (ferry to Washington Island, and a Karri (pedestrian and pet only boat) but trust me it is worth it!

when you get there, There is everything from campsites to taking a day trip up to the lighthouse. But you could also go to the lighthouse if you’re camping too.

The beach is amazing. You will make so much memories on the beach. For me and my cousins it’s digging massive holes. But there’s this one area on the beach that makes so much memories, we like to call it the “washing machine” because of the rough waves I like to swim in a area, well once every year, this will be my ninth year going to Rock Island State Park in Wisconsin. Keep in mind I’m only 12 years old😅 our family calls that area the “washing machine” because the rough waves, but we like a nice challenge so we like to swim in there and climb on the dangerous rocks sometimes. this is probably my sixth year going to the washing machine.

One night after dinner, we like to go to the point with all the rocks! It’s so cool because there’s two waves going on each side of the rocks on the point! We like to go there with all the families and my family to watch the sunset and to skip rocks! Right after that, we go straight to the boathouse to play wiffle ball until night!

while camping you can have campfires and roast marshmallows then maybe you can take a trip up to the beach to look at the stars.

There is this event happening soon by the boat house, they provide telescopes to see some planets! I will be definitely going to that!

We do this thing with our family goes over to different campsites because our family has different campsites (3 different families)(cousins, Aunt, and my household) we switch off nights to do dinner! And my aunt always has a remote campsite so we have to hike a little bit, which is super fun! Some stuff we see on the way there and on the way back is bats and we think they are so cool! 🤤🦇🌮

We are about to go in less than a week!!! (4 days!) we are so excited!😀 I highly recommend coming here!!!😀

Posted photos with the caption 2024

The next year (2025): going to rock island again in 22 days from today! Was super excited and we got a site that we always wanted! And another good thing about this year is all of the families in my family are all together!!! We’re staying a bunch of nights! This year will be the year that we stay the longest! Can not wait! This will be my I think 10th year going to rock island every year! That’s a whole decade!

Some spots that we love on the way to rock island: -door county coffee shop! -the ferry launch! -the albatross drive-in for lunch on that travel day to rock island😋 -the...

A Hidden Gem: Rock Island State Park's Pristine Beauty and Secluded Camping

During my college years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, from 2006 to 2011, my friends and I sought out unique, local camping experiences.

One of our most memorable routine adventures was to Rock Island State Park in Door County. Accessible only by two ferry rides—first from the tip of Door County to Washington Island, and then a smaller ferry to Rock Island—this secluded spot offered an unparalleled sense of tranquility. With no electricity, limited campsites, and the absence of vehicles and bicycles, the island felt like our private retreat.

The island's untouched beauty is captivating. Pristine beaches with clear waters provided perfect spots for relaxation and reflection. Hiking trails meander through dense forests, leading to historical landmarks like the Pottawatomie Lighthouse—the oldest lighthouse in Wisconsin, built in 1836. Exploring this well-preserved structure offered a glimpse into the maritime history of the Great Lakes.

Another fascinating feature is the stone Viking boathouse, constructed by Icelandic inventor Chester Thordarson, who purchased much of the island in 1910. His efforts to preserve the island's natural beauty are evident in the structures he left behind, adding a unique cultural touch to the natural landscape.

Camping on Rock Island is a unique experience. The 40 campsites are spacious and well-spaced, ensuring privacy and a sense of solitude. Without modern distractions, our evenings were spent around campfires, sharing stories under star-filled skies. The lack of electricity and limited facilities encouraged us to connect more deeply with nature and each other.

In many ways, Rock Island rivals the remote beauty of Northeast U.S. islands like Maine’s Monhegan Island—but without the salt spray, the sharks, or the Atlantic's unpredictable tides. Here, freshwater serenity meets rugged beauty, offering the kind of stillness and simplicity that’s hard to find.

For those seeking a peaceful escape and a chance to experience Wisconsin's natural beauty in its purest form, Rock Island State Park is a destination...

✨ Hard to get to. Hard to leave.

🏖️ This 912 acre island off of Door County has so much to offer! There’s a beautiful beach, great trails, a cool lighthouse, and several historic buildings & structures.

🚙 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.

🚤 The iconic boathouse is the other historic structure that can’t be missed! The ferry will pull right up, and the public is welcome to explore the stunning inside.

🥾 Rock island is less than 2 miles long and just over 1 mile wide, but offers about 9 miles of hiking trails. I recommend the 5.25 mile Thordarson Trail Loop that circles the entire island!

🐾 Dogs are allowed on the island and must be leashed the entire time. They’re not allowed in the buildings or on the sand beach. You will come across rocky shoreline on parts of the island where your pup is welcome to dip their paws.

🏕️ There are amazing campsites on the island, and the majority of them are on the waterfront. I highly recommend staying overnight to enjoy the serenity of the island to the fullest. All belongings have to be carried to the sites, and most campers (including myself) brought carts/wagons or borrowed the ones on the island.

⛴️ 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 in ferry fees.

📱The majority of the island does not have...