Far away from the crowds that pack Door County’s villages each year is a remote island that few ever visit. You can see it offshore, a line of green rising above the waves, miles away. It’s Chambers Island and while it’s a little out of the way, if you make the effort to visit the island you’ll see a quiet and remote side to Door County that’s unlike the rest of the peninsula.
Chambers Island is located 7.5 miles offshore from Fish Creek. It was named for Talbot Chambers, a colonel who sailed these waters in 1816, on the way to establish a military post in Green Bay.
The island is about a 45-minute boat ride from the mainland. There’s no ferry with regular service, but there are excursion charters leaving from Fish Creek that will take you to the island.
Be sure to pack everything you need, including food for a picnic. There are no stores on the island, or really any services of any kind. While there are homes on the island, there is no commercial electricity service. There’s a cell tower, so you will likely be able to use your phone, but that’s about it.
There’s a lot to explore on this 3,200-acre island. You can stroll unpaved roads that feel more like trails, and visit undisturbed beaches with stunning views.
The Chambers Island lighthouse is also a must-visit. It was built with Milwaukee cream-colored brick and completed in 1868. It was replaced by an automated light in 1961, but it still stands proudly above the lake, greeting visitors.
