Washington Island

Thirty minutes across Death's Door, then open roads.

Thirty minutes by ferry across Death's Door, then a different pace entirely. Stone beaches, open roads, a lavender farm and a second boat to Rock Island.

See & do Plan your trip

THE SHORELINE COLLECTION 01 / FIELD GUIDE

Original illustration Death's Door crossing — photograph placeholder

WHERE LAND MEETS WATERAN EDITORIAL ILLUSTRATION

An island at the end of the road

Washington Island sits at the very northern tip of the Door Peninsula, across the strait known as Death's Door. The ferry from Northport takes about thirty minutes and carries cars, bikes and passengers year-round.

Once ashore, the appeal is space. The island has a few lodgings, restaurants and food stops, but mostly it has wide-open roads, shoreline and quiet. Bring a car, rent a bike or a UTV, and plan around the boat rather than the clock.

The island short list

Limestone stones

Schoolhouse Beach

A beach of smooth stones rather than sand. Removing stones is prohibited; leave them where they are.

Second ferry

Rock Island

A passenger ferry from Jackson Harbor reaches 906 acres of state park and Pottawatomie Lighthouse.

Seasonal

The lavender farm

One of the island's best-known stops, alongside the rolling fields and back roads.

Practical

Crossing: About 30 minutes from Northport
Getting around: Car ferry, or rent a bike or UTV on the island
Second ferry: Karfi from Jackson Harbor to Rock Island
Best for: A full day, or an overnight away from the peninsula

Plan around the boat

Ferry capacity is the constraint. Decide your return crossing before you start exploring.

Plan your visit

Elsewhere in the region

Verification

Sources & editorial record

Source-backed

Factual details on these pages were checked against the sources below on 2026-10-29 . Interpretive prose, itineraries and recommendations are editorial judgement, not sourced fact.

Crossing time, ferry routing, park acreage and lighthouse history come from the ferry operator and Destination Door County. Schedules and fares are seasonal and are not reproduced.

Destination Door County Ferry crossing, Schoolhouse Beach, lavender farm, Rock Island and island character.
Washington Island Ferry Line Year-round ferry across Death's Door.
Rock Island ferry information Jackson Harbor route and the 8.4-mile drive across the island.
Destination Door County — Parks Rock Island acreage, trails and Percy Johnson park.
Destination Door County — Lighthouses Pottawatomie Lighthouse history and access.