With miles of trails and endless backroads, Door County, Wisconsin is a biking paradise. When you reach the end of the Peninsula, the roads end, but the biking adventures here are just beginning. The Island Clipper takes passengers and their bikes from the little fishing village of Gills Rock on a short but spectacular journey to Washington Island.
The island is packed with sights and scenic spots and is a wonderful place to continue a bike ride – until it’s time to return to the Clipper.
Here’s what you need to enjoy a Door County island ride like no other.
Gills Rock is an unincorporated community at the far end of Door County. It has a strong commercial fishing tradition, and from spring to fall, there's a passenger ferry service to Washington Island. While there's a car ferry operating out of nearby Northport, you can leave your car behind and take this smaller, faster boat.
Best of all, the Island Clipper lets you bring your bike aboard. There's no charge to bring your bike along, or for a small fee, you can rent one for the island.
A typical trip to or from the island takes about 30 minutes and offers breathtaking views of the Door County coastline. The boat crosses an area called "Death's Door," but it's perfectly safe for a big boat like the Island Clipper - the name is reportedly from a Native American battle long ago.
If you don't feel like jumping in the saddle, no problem. The Viking Train takes visitors on a 90-minute tour of the Island, no pedaling required. It departs right from Detroit Harbor where the ferry dock is located.
You can reserve tickets for the Island Clipper in advance over the phone or just buy them when you arrive. In the event of poor weather, the ferry may be delayed or canceled – if the weather looks bad you are welcome to call ahead to make sure the ferry is running. Interested in more only-in-Wisconsin biking adventures? Here are breweries located right on the state’s bike trails.
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