Washington Island is about 7 miles off the tip of Door County, Wisconsin, and feels like a world of its own. Reached by ferry across Death’s Door from Northport Pier in Ellison Bay, the island is known for its slower pace, scenic shoreline, Scandinavian heritage, quiet roads, and memorable places to explore.
Whether you visit for a day trip or stay longer, Washington Island offers a mix of natural beauty, small museums, historic spots, unique beaches, and peaceful drives. From Stavkirke Church and Schoolhouse Beach to Jackson Harbor and the lavender fields, there is plenty to fill a relaxed island day.
Visiting Washington Island in Door County, Wisconsin
Washington Island sits in northern Door County and is one of those places that feels both scenic and unrushed. The ferry ride across Death’s Door is part of the experience, and once you arrive, you can spend the day driving winding roads, stopping at shoreline parks, visiting small museums, and taking in the island’s distinctive Scandinavian character.
It is a great destination if you enjoy slow travel, quiet landscapes, local history, unusual natural features, and scenic places that feel different from the busier parts of the peninsula.
General Info
| Location | Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin |
| Getting There | Take the Washington Island Ferry from Northport Pier in Ellison Bay |
| Ferry Crossing | About 30 minutes across Death’s Door |
| Hours | Check current ferry schedules before visiting |
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Door County |
| Map | Washington Island Google Map |
| Cost | Ferry fee applies |
Taking the Ferry to Washington Island
Part of the fun of visiting Washington Island is getting there. The ferry leaves from Northport Pier in Ellison Bay and carries passengers, vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles, and freight across Death’s Door. The crossing is scenic, memorable, and a defining part of any island trip.
No reservation is typically needed for standard ferry travel, though waits can happen during busy summer weekends and holidays. It is always worth checking the current Washington Island ferry schedule before heading north.
The Winding Road to Northport Pier
You know you are getting close to the ferry when the road begins to curve its way toward Northport Pier in Ellison Bay. This stretch has become one of the peninsula’s most photographed roads and is beautiful in every season.
It is one of those simple Door County scenes that stays with people — wooded, winding, and quietly scenic as you head toward the island crossing.
Arriving on Washington Island
The ferry docks in Detroit Harbor at County Road W on Washington Island. From there, you can begin exploring the island’s scenic roads, beaches, churches, museums, farms, and shoreline parks.
Best Places to Visit on Washington Island
Washington Island has a variety of stops that blend history, culture, shoreline beauty, and small-town island charm. Here are some of the places that make it worth the trip.
Stavkirke Church
Stavkirke Church, located on Townline Road, is one of the most distinctive landmarks on Washington Island. Surrounded by trees and gardens, it serves as both a place of worship and a quiet place for reflection.
The church was built in 1991 and modeled after the Borgund stave church in Norway. It was created as a tribute to the island’s Scandinavian heritage, and its design reflects the craftsmanship and symbolism of traditional Norwegian stave churches.
Its steep rooflines, carved details, and weathered wood give it a storybook appearance, and both the exterior and interior architecture show the influence of Viking-era shipbuilding traditions.
Beautiful Scandinavian Architecture
Stavkirke Church is a lovely example of Scandinavian-inspired design in Wisconsin. Four carved dragons sit on the front and rear rooflines, and a prayer path invites visitors to walk quietly through the grounds.
The name “stave church” comes from its structural system of post-and-lintel timber framing, where the main load-bearing posts are called staves. The result is an architectural style that feels both intricate and deeply rooted in old Scandinavian building traditions.
Schoolhouse Beach
Schoolhouse Beach is one of the most famous stops on Washington Island and one of the most unusual beaches in Wisconsin. Instead of sand, the shoreline is covered with smooth, wave-polished limestone rocks shaped by glacial action.
The water here is incredibly clear, and on warm days many visitors bring water shoes and enjoy a swim. Snorkelers may also be interested in the nearby 1897 shipwreck of the Louisiana, located on the east side of the harbor. The stones are protected, so do not remove any from the beach.
Image available on cards to canvas
Jackson Harbor
Jackson Harbor is another worthwhile stop on the island. It is home to the Karfi passenger ferry that travels to Rock Island, Wisconsin, as well as the Jackson Harbor Maritime Museum and the nearby Jackson Harbor Ridges State Natural Area.
More Places to Explore on Washington Island
- Jacobsen Museum – A small museum featuring island history, shipwreck information, Native American artifacts, and Danish scrollwork. Admission is typically by free-will donation.
- Washington Island Farm Museum – A fun stop with farm buildings, agricultural artifacts, household items, and goats to feed. Usually self-guided with a small suggested donation.
- Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm & Shop – One of the island’s best-known attractions, especially when the lavender is in bloom. Even outside peak bloom, the shop is worth visiting for lavender products, gifts, and treats.
Why Visit Washington Island?
Washington Island is worth visiting for the ferry ride alone, but it is the island’s atmosphere that makes people want to return. It offers a different pace than the mainland — quieter roads, open shoreline, unique architecture, simple museums, and a feeling of stepping a little farther away from everyday life.
If you enjoy scenic drives, unusual beaches, Scandinavian history, island landscapes, and peaceful Door County day trips, Washington Island is one of the most memorable places to explore in northeastern Wisconsin.
More Door County Posts
You may also enjoy reading about Rock Island, Wisconsin, and other Door County destinations across the peninsula.