Rock Island State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- See fee details
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- dnr.wisconsin.gov(920) 854-2500
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Weather Rock Island SP Ferry NoticeThe Rock Island Ferry is shut down for the season and will resume operations in May 2027. The ferry runs from Memorial Day weekend through the second… (more)
The Rock Island Ferry is shut down for the season and will resume operations in May 2027. The ferry runs from Memorial Day weekend through the second Monday in October. For ferry times, rates and more information, please see: Impact: High.
Posted by the park 2026-10-16. Official alert
Overview
In Door County, about 26 miles southeast of Escanaba, Rock Island State Park covers about 985 acres.
The park supports historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, and swimming. The official site lists about 10 miles of trails. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites and primitive or hike-in sites.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. | — |
| Daily | 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round. The park is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The Rock Island Ferry runs Memorial Day Weekend through the second Monday in October.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Pets
Pets allowed on a physical leash no longer than 8 feet at all times and under control; loose pets may be seized. Property-specific pet areas/restrictions appear on park pages.
Statewide rule from Wisconsin's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| There is a nightly fee of | $1 |
Official wording
A vehicle admission sticker is not required at Rock Island State Park. • There are fees for both the Washington Island Ferry and the Rock Island Ferry. • There is a nightly fee of $1 per foot of boat length for all boats mooring overnight at Rock Island State Park. Dock space is limited and cannot be reserved. • Vehicle admission sticker is not required for the Rock Island ferry parking lot. • Camping in the Wisconsin State Park System. • Hunting and fishing licenses apply.
Wisconsin park passes
- 12-month vehicle admission pass (Wisconsin plates) — $28. All Wisconsin state parks, forests and recreation areas for 12 months Details
- 12-month vehicle admission pass (out-of-state plates) — $50. Same, nonresident vehicles Details
- 12-month pass, Wisconsin residents 65+ — $13. Resident senior vehicles Details
- 12-month reduced-rate pass (additional household vehicle) — $15.50 resident / $32.50 nonresident. Additional vehicles at the same household address; bought with a full-price pass Details
- Daily vehicle admission pass — $13 resident / $3 resident 65+ / $16 nonresident Details
From the Wisconsin state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Wisconsin State Park System reservations (Camis 'Going to Camp')
- Phone
- 1-888-947-2757
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walk-in campsites Rock Island State Park offers 40 primitive, walk-in tent sites. Two of the sites are group campsites. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Camping is permitted in designated campsites only. There is drinking water near the dock and boathouse. Vault toilets are available.
• Park map
All supplies and equipment must be backpacked in. Small carts are permitted on the ferry and the island but remember space on the ferry is limited. | — | — |
Camping details from the park
Rock Island State Park offers primitive walk-in campsites. All supplies must be carried into and out of campsites. No vehicles are allowed on Rock Island.
Walk-in campsites: Rock Island State Park offers 40 primitive, walk-in tent sites. Two of the sites are group campsites. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Camping is permitted in designated campsites only. There is drinking water near the dock and boathouse. Vault toilets are available.
- Park map
All supplies and equipment must be backpacked in. Small carts are permitted on the ferry and the island but remember space on the ferry is limited.
Firewood: Firewood is available for sale at the park in season.
Don't move firewood!
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BoatingCanoeing and kayakingCampingFishingHikingHuntingHistoric sites and toursPicnickingSwimming
Trails
Hiking: There are about ten miles of trails with six miles of shoreline for hiking.
All trails on Rock Island are open to hiking. There are about 10 miles of hiking trails on the island. Several shorter trails connect the walk-in campsites and the day-use area near the ferry landing and boathouse.
Algonquin nature trail (1.0 mile)
This trail is a 1.0-mile nature trail loop that begins near the campground.
Fernwood trail (1.2 miles)
This 1.2-mile trail travels through the middle of Rock Island, connecting to the east and west shores
Havamal trail (1.0 miles)
This 1.0-mile trail begins near the large field area and travels through the southern part of the island.
Thordarson loop trail (5.2 miles)
The Thordarson trail follows the circumference of the island for 5.2 miles. The trail is named for Chester Thordarson and his family, who owned the island from 1910 to 1964. Highlights include the Pottawatomie Lighthouse, historic cemeteries, scenic overlooks and a historic water tower.
Swimming
Rock Island has one of the most beautiful sand beaches in Door County. The water is tested regularly for safety. Swimming is permitted anywhere along the coast except near the boat dock. Many people swim from the cobble shores near their campsites. No lifeguards are present. Please remember that no campfires, glass, grills or metal detectors are allowed on the beach. Here are some tips to remember for staying safe in the water: Great Lakes Beach Safety.
Boating and paddling
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 on the dock overnight at Rock Island. Dock space is limited and cannot be reserved.
Canoes and Kayaks are popular around the island, but lake conditions can change rapidly, resulting in dangerous wind and waves. Early season (May and June) cold water conditions pose a special hypothermia hazard. The passenger ferry, Karfi, may transport canoes and kayaks for a nominal fee as space and safety conditions permit (that decision is up to the captain of the ferry). Kayaks and canoes can be pulled up on the shore near campsites. All campers must register at the visitor contact station for campsites.
Fishing
A fishing license is required for fishing at Rock Island State Park. No live bait is sold on the island, so you need to bring your own or use artificial lures. Smallmouth bass and gobies are the most often caught fish. Bass season opens July 1 in the waters surrounding the islands.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
Camping
- Tent camping
- Primitive or backcountry camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 1924 Indian Pt. Rd.
Washington Island, WI 54246 - Nearest town
- Escanaba — about 26 mi southeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 45.4004, -86.8567
- Phone
- (920) 854-2500
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
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 to Washington Island. The ferry carries people, vehicles, bicycles and freight. From the Washington Island ferry landing, travel across the island to the northeast side to the Rock Island ferry landing at Jackson Harbor. Leave your vehicle or bike there and take the passenger-only Rock Island Ferry to Rock Island. 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 for all boats mooring overnight at Rock Island. • Get directions
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Wisconsin State Park System — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Wisconsin DNR 'Find a Park' directory (server-rendered Drupal view, ?page=0..5), filtered to /topic/parks/ property pages
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology