Washington Island Airport

Washington Island Airport (ICAO: 2P2) occupies a grassy field near the northeastern shore of Washington Island, Wisconsin, 20 miles off the Door County peninsula in Lake Michigan. The airport serves general aviation only — no commercial flights, no air traffic control tower, no jet bridges. Its two well-maintained grass runways (18/36 and 9/27) handle single-engine piston aircraft and the occasional light twin, providing the only direct air access to this 36-square-mile island community of about 700 year-round residents. What the airport lacks in infrastructure it makes up for in character: bicycles to borrow, a courtesy van, tiedowns, and sweeping views of the lake that make the approach unforgettable.

Getting There

Reaching Washington Island Airport by land and sea involves a journey through Door County. From mainland Wisconsin, drive to the tip of the peninsula — Gills Rock or Northport Pier — and board the Washington Island Ferry Line, which runs year-round (weather permitting). The crossing takes about 30 minutes from Gills Rock (car-and-passenger service) or 45 minutes from Northport. Once on the island, follow Airport Road about 4 miles northeast from the ferry dock to the airport. For those flying in, pilots typically arrive via the grass runways — no instrument approaches, so good weather is essential. The nearest commercial airport is Cherryland Airport (KSUE) in Sturgeon Bay, about 30 miles southwest as the crow flies. Many visiting pilots land at Washington Island to collect a Wisconsin Aviation Passport stamp and picnic on the field.

Inside the Terminal

This is not a terminal in the conventional sense. There is no enclosed building serving as a passenger lounge. The facilities consist of an open-sided shelter, a few picnic tables, and tiedown spots. The outhouse bathrooms are functional but basic — plan accordingly. The water on site is marked non-drinkable, so bring your own. The courtesy van, provided by the local Lions Club, is available for use but requires a few steps: you must call the airport manager or follow instructions posted at the shelter to book it. A donation is requested to offset fuel and maintenance. Several bicycles are also available for borrowing; they are kept in good condition and are appreciated by visiting pilots exploring the island. The airport is not fenced in, allowing easy walking access to nearby Schoolhouse Beach from the northeast end of the field. The atmosphere is relaxed and self-service — the airport manager is known to be responsive to phone questions but is not always on-site.

Washington Island Airport and Washington

Washington Island itself is the largest of the Lake Michigan islands in Wisconsin's Door County archipelago, a destination for those seeking quiet coastal landscapes, cherry orchards, and maritime history. The island's name honors George Washington, though its early economy was built on fishing, logging, and farming. Today, tourism drives the summer months, but the island retains a distinct character shaped by its Icelandic heritage — many residents trace lineage to 19th-century Icelandic immigrants, and the island hosts the annual Scandinavian-style Washington Island Wine Festival. Beyond the airport, visitors find Schoolhouse Beach, a state natural area with smooth limestone cobbles (no sand — collecting rocks is prohibited). A short drive or bike ride from the airport leads to the ferry to Rock Island State Park, an undeveloped island with rugged trails, a historic lighthouse, and a nature preserve reachable only by foot or kayak. The Door County Creamery sells local cheeses and ice cream in the island's small commercial center, a few miles from the airport. For pilots, the appeal lies in the simplicity: grass strips, open skies, and the sense of landing on a frontier island that has resisted overdevelopment. The airport functions as a de facto welcome center — visitors often spend a day cycling to the ferry, hiking, and enjoying the quiet before flying out. The island's attractions are modest but authentic: no chain hotels, no flashy attractions, just Lake Michigan shoreline, cherry blossoms in spring, and starry nights.

Practical Information

The airport is not open all days — contact the airport manager via phone (+1 920-847-2448) or check the website (http://www.washingtonisland-wi.gov/airport/) for current hours, as availability varies by season and staff schedules. The busiest times, based on typical patterns, are Monday at 1 am, Tuesday at 11 pm, Wednesday at 10 pm, and Thursday at 7 am — these may correspond to ferry schedules or group arrivals. Plan to bring your own drinking water, as the on-site water is not potable. When using the courtesy van or bicycles, leave a donation in the box. For a shorter walk to Schoolhouse Beach, park at the northeast end of the airport and follow the trail. If you need a wheelchair-accessible entrance or toilet, note that the accessible toilet is an outhouse, which may be challenging — but the car park and entrance are wheelchair-accessible. The most useful tip: arrive with food and water, and treat the airport as a self-sufficient base for exploring an island that rewards those who slow down.