These 8 Wisconsin Ferry Rides Make Perfect Summer Adventures For Families
The shoreline shrinks the moment the ferry pulls away from the dock. That small thrill is why the ride feels bigger than the miles suggest.
Wisconsin runs ferry routes that fit almost any summer mood.
A quick island hop drops you at cliffs and quiet beaches within minutes. A longer haul steams clear across the big lake toward the far shore.
Because the wind and the view come free, kids forget their screens fast. I have made these crossings with restless kids and calm ones alike.
The rocking deck turns travel itself into the adventure. A short crossing can reset a whole summer day.
1. Washington Island Ferry, Ellison Bay
Not every family adventure requires a plane ticket or a packed highway.
The short crossing from Northport Pier to Washington Island takes about 30 minutes and rewards you with one of the most charming islands in the Great Lakes region. Families board the Washington Island Ferry at 215 WI-42, Ellison Bay, ready for a full day of exploring.
Washington Island sits at the northern tip of Door County, Wisconsin, and it carries a deep Scandinavian history that sets it apart from other island towns.
The island has farms, art galleries, a lavender farm, and quiet roads perfect for renting bikes with the kids. You feel the slower pace the moment you roll off the ferry ramp.
The ferry runs multiple times daily during summer, making it easy to plan a day trip or even an overnight stay.
Kids love watching the crew maneuver the boat through the Death’s Door passage, which sounds dramatic but is actually a beautiful stretch of water. Seagulls follow the boat, and the views of Green Bay are wide and clear on a sunny day.
Washington Island is also a great base for exploring Rock Island State Park nearby. The combination of the ferry ride, island scenery, and friendly small-town feel makes this one of the most satisfying family outings in northern Wisconsin.
Bring a picnic and make a full afternoon out of it.
2. Rock Island Ferry (Karfi), Washington Island
I had to do a double-take the first time I saw the Karfi pull up to Jackson Harbor.
This tiny, no-frills passenger ferry is one of the most unique boat rides in all of Wisconsin, and it carries you to a place where cars are completely banned. Rock Island State Park is a true escape from modern life.
The Karfi ferry departs from Jackson Harbor on 1924 Indian Point Rd, Washington, and the crossing to Rock Island takes only about ten minutes.
But those ten minutes feel meaningful because you know you are heading somewhere genuinely off the beaten path. The island has no roads, no vehicles, and no electricity in most areas.
Once you arrive, hiking trails wind through dense forest and along dramatic limestone bluffs above Lake Michigan.
The historic Viking Hall, built in the 1920s by a tech inventor, stands near the dock and is worth a slow walk-through. Kids are fascinated by the idea of a place where no cars are allowed.
Camping on Rock Island is an option for families who want a deeper experience, and the primitive campsites fill up fast during summer weekends. The Karfi runs on a seasonal schedule, so checking hours before you plan your trip is a smart move.
Packing your own food and water is essential since there are no shops on the island. Crossing to Rock Island on the Karfi is one of those rare adventures that genuinely feels like stepping back in time.
3. Madeline Island Ferry, Bayfield
Just imagine for a second boarding a ferry in a small lakeside town and arriving on an island that feels like its own world entirely.
The Madeline Island Ferry runs from Bayfield across Chequamegon Bay to La Pointe, the only town on Madeline Island. This is the largest of the Apostle Islands and the only one where people actually live year-round.
The ferry departs from 20 Washington Ave, Bayfield, and the crossing takes about 25 minutes on a calm day.
Families can bring their cars aboard, which makes it easy to explore the island at your own pace. La Pointe has a great local museum, sandy beaches, and hiking trails that wind through quiet forests.
Big Bay Town Park and Big Bay State Park are both accessible by road once you land, and both have beaches that are perfect for kids.
The water in Lake Superior stays cool even in summer, so plan for wading rather than long swims unless your family is brave. The island also has a small golf course, kayak rentals, and a nature preserve worth exploring.
Bayfield itself is a gorgeous little town worth spending time in before or after your crossing. The ferry schedule runs frequently during summer, making spontaneous day trips very doable.
Watching the Apostle Islands archipelago spread out from the ferry deck is a view that sticks with you long after the trip is over. Madeline Island is a complete summer package wrapped in one short boat ride.
4. Lake Express, Milwaukee
Crossing Lake Michigan by boat is not something most families even think about, and that is exactly what makes the Lake Express so surprisingly fun.
This high-speed catamaran ferry connects Milwaukee to Muskegon, Michigan, cutting across the big lake in about two and a half hours. It is fast, modern, and genuinely exciting for kids who have never been on open water.
The ferry departs from 2330 S Lincoln Memorial Dr, Milwaukee, right along the beautiful Milwaukee lakefront.
You can bring your car aboard, which makes the Lake Express a smart travel option for families heading to Michigan. The boat itself has comfortable indoor seating, a snack bar, and outdoor deck space for watching the lake roll by.
Lake Michigan is massive, and once you are an hour out, you cannot see land in any direction. That open-water experience is something kids remember for years.
The gentle rocking, the spray off the bow, and the horizon stretching endlessly make for a natural science lesson nobody had to plan.
Muskegon is worth exploring once you arrive, with beaches and parks of its own. The round trip can be done in a single long day if you plan well, or you can turn it into a two-state weekend adventure.
Booking seats in advance during peak summer weeks is strongly recommended. The Lake Express turns a simple drive into something much more memorable.
5. S.S. Badger, Manitowoc
What if your family road trip included a four-hour cruise across the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area?
The S.S. Badger makes that exact trip possible, sailing from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, to Ludington, Michigan, across Lake Michigan.
This legendary steamship has been making the crossing since 1953 and is a floating piece of American history.
Boarding begins at 900 S Lakeview Dr, Manitowoc, and the four-hour crossing gives families plenty of time to settle in and enjoy the ride.
The ship has staterooms for families who want to nap, a cafeteria, a kids’ play area, and plenty of deck space for watching the water. Spotting the occasional lighthouse or freighter on the horizon keeps even restless kids engaged.
The S.S. Badger is one of the last coal-fired steamships operating in the United States, which gives it a character and charm you simply cannot find on modern vessels.
The engines are massive, the history is real, and the staff are proud of what they operate. Kids who are curious about machines and history will find a lot to ask about.
Ludington, Michigan, on the other side, has beautiful state park beaches and a charming downtown worth exploring. The crossing can be booked as a one-way trip or as part of a loop back through the Upper Peninsula.
Reservations fill up quickly in July and August, so planning ahead pays off. The S.S.Badger is not just a ferry, it is a real adventure.
6. Merrimac Ferry, Merrimac
Correct me if I am wrong, but a free ferry ride that has been running for over 150 years sounds like the kind of thing every Wisconsin family should try at least once.
The Merrimac Ferry, operated as the Colsac III, crosses the Wisconsin River at the narrows near Sauk City. It is one of the few remaining free cable ferries in the entire country.
The crossing itself takes only about seven minutes from one bank to the other.
It runs on demand around the clock in season, which means you simply pull up, wait your turn, and enjoy the brief but charming crossing. No ticket booth, no fare, just a friendly crew and a short ride over calm river water.
The surrounding scenery includes the rolling bluffs of the Wisconsin Dells region, and the river here is wide, calm, and beautiful in summer light.
Families traveling through the area often stop just to say they have ridden the ferry, and most end up staying longer than planned. The short ride has a surprisingly peaceful quality to it.
Devils Lake State Park is just a short drive away, making the Merrimac Ferry a natural add-on to a broader Baraboo-area day trip. The ferry typically runs from late April through late November, weather permitting.
It is the kind of small, unhurried Wisconsin experience that feels rare in a world that moves too fast. A five-minute crossing can carry a whole afternoon of good memories.
7. Cassville Car Ferry, Cassville
Crossing the Mississippi River by ferry in Wisconsin is not only possible, it is one of the most scenic ways to spend a summer afternoon in the southwestern part of the state.
The Cassville Car Ferry has been carrying passengers and vehicles across the river since 1833, making it one of the oldest continuously operating ferries in the Midwest. History is literally part of the ride.
The ferry departs from Prime St, Cassville, and crosses to the Iowa side of the Mississippi.
The trip takes about ten minutes, and the views of the river bluffs on both sides are genuinely stunning during summer when everything is green. Eagles are frequently spotted soaring above the river corridor, which thrills both kids and adults.
Cassville itself is a small town with a big personality, tucked into the rolling hills of Grant County along the Great River Road.
Nelson Dewey State Park is nearby and has camping, hiking, and some of the best river overlook views in the state. The combination of the ferry crossing and the park makes for a full and satisfying day trip.
The ferry operates seasonally, typically from late spring through fall, and hours can vary by day. Checking the schedule ahead of time saves you a wasted drive.
The crossing is short but deeply satisfying in a way that modern travel rarely manages. There is something quietly powerful about riding a flat-deck ferry across the mighty Mississippi.
8. Apostle Islands Cruises Camping/Hiking Shuttle, Bayfield
You could have knocked me over with a feather the first time I realized you could take a scheduled passenger ferry straight into the heart of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
The Apostle Islands Cruises Camping and Hiking Shuttle runs as an official National Park Service concessioner with fixed departure times, connecting Bayfield to Stockton Island and Oak Island.
This is not a tour boat, it is a real working ferry for hikers and campers. The crossing to Stockton Island takes around 45 minutes depending on conditions.
Stockton Island is the most visited island in the Apostle Islands chain and has some of the best black bear habitat in the eastern United States. Campers, day hikers, and wildlife lovers all share the boat for a morning crossing.
The island has maintained trails, a lagoon popular with kayakers, and beaches that rival anything you would find on a coastal vacation.
Lake Superior light in summer is extraordinary, bright and clear with a kind of depth that feels almost photographic. Kids who love nature will be completely absorbed from the moment they step ashore.
Oak Island, the other stop on the shuttle route, is wilder and less traveled, with old-growth forest and dramatic shoreline cliffs. The NPS shuttle schedule runs through the summer season, and seats fill fast on weekends.
Booking early is not just smart, it is necessary. The Apostle Islands ferry shuttle is one of Wisconsin’s most rewarding outdoor experiences for adventurous families.
