Door County · Community
Plan your visit to Washington Island
Ferry routing, the Rock Island connection, driving distances and how to fit the island into a Door County trip.
The practical bits
- Ferry
- Northport to Washington Island, about 30 minutes
- Vehicles
- Cars cross on the ferry; bikes and UTVs can be rented on the island
- To Rock Island
- Drive 8.4 miles from the ferry dock to Jackson Harbor
- Season
- Year-round ferry; Rock Island ferry is seasonal
Build the day backwards
Start with the return ferry, then work backwards through Rock Island and the island roads. The mainland drive to Northport continues north past Ellison Bay and Gills Rock; allow time for it rather than treating the ferry port as a suburb.
If you want to see Rock Island properly, stay on Washington Island overnight. The second ferry, the walk to the lighthouse and the return to Jackson Harbor fill a day on their own.
A full island day
-
1
Early ferry
Cross from Northport with the car; the island is quietest before midday.
-
2
Schoolhouse Beach
Swim or walk the stones before the beach fills.
-
3
Jackson Harbor
Drive north and take the Karfi to Rock Island.
-
4
Rock Island
Walk to Pottawatomie Lighthouse and back with time for the return boat.
-
5
Last ferry
Return to the mainland; do not cut the connection close.
Verification
Sources & editorial record
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.