Rock Island State Park - Washington, WI - Wisconsin State Parks

Camping and reservations
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.

Reservations
Camping reservations for outdoor campsites can be made online or by calling 888-947-2757.

Firewood
Firewood is available for sale at the park in season.

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.

Hiking
There are about ten miles of trails with six miles of shoreline for hiking.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.

Picnic areas
Near the boathouse there is a large play field/picnic area with tables and grills. No playground equipment is provided however some games, puzzles, balls and outside play toys are available in the Greenhouse shelter building nearby.

Lighthouse tours
Tours are given of the historic Pottawatomie Lighthouse daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Memorial Day through Columbus Day. During tours, visitors are permitted to climb to the lantern room. Donations are accepted but not required as this service is provided by the Friends of Rock Island State Park.

Swimming
Rock Island has one of the nicest 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.

Boating, canoeing and kayaking
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.

Hunting and trapping
Hunting and trapping are allowed in the open areas of the park during the Wisconsin state parks hunting and trapping time frame. Trapping is not permitted in closed areas as noted on the park hunting map or within 100 yards of any designated use area, including trails. Certain trap types are restricted on state park properties.

Winter activities
Ice conditions on Lake Michigan vary greatly during winter. The ferry does not run during winter and travel to the island over the ice is not recommended.