A relaxing beach on Washington Island, one of only a few in the world known for its white rocks. Whenever we come to the island, we always make sure to stop here. There are bathrooms and changing rooms, but no concessions, so bring in any food and drinks you require. There are plenty of picnic tables and you can grill out here. The beach is fairly large for such a small park, so you'll be sure to find a place to lay down a towel and soak in the sun. There is a rather large floating raft not far from the beach that can accommodate at least 8 people, and many people prefer to swim out to it and jump off into the deeper water, rather than lay out on it. The rocks extend quite a few feet into the water from the beach, and I have learned that wearing water shoes or sandals while swimming is preferable to walking all wonky on the stones and hurting your feet and stubbing your toes as you exit the water. You may not collect the stones here, as they are protected, and as you exit the park, there is a sign and drop box to deposit any stray stones that may have "accidentally" found their way into your pockets. 5/2025 read more

School House Beach - Juvenile gull looking for free handouts on the beach. - Beaches Near Me - Washington Island, Wisconsin

I grew up in South Florida so a beach to me was the sand and the ocean. I was a bit surprised when I moved to the midwest and they talked about going to the beach. Geography was not my best subject, but I knew we weren't a coastal state. When locals say they're going to the beach what they really mean is the lake. While it's not the ocean, it's still beautiful and relaxing. When I headed to Door County in Wisconsin with some of my friends we were told by so many people that we had to check out School House Beach on Washington Island. They weren't kidding - the beach is beautiful. My favorite part was the actual "beach" - it's made of white, smooth stones. They were so smooth. I totally would have taken a few back with me, but you can actually be fined for it. Really, they have a sign posted warning you not to take any of the stones. We had such a great time there. If I lived closer I could totally see myself spending lots of time there reading a book. read more

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This is my kind of beach. Stunning shady trees and picnic benches that meet the shore making this a perfect spot for an afternoon picnic or reading a book. The bathrooms on site were very clean as well. The beach is free to visit and less than a ten minute drive from the ferry dock. The-one-of-a-kind smooth limestones on the beach make it worth the visit alone. Apparently, it's one of few beaches of this nature in the world. It was so quiet and peaceful during our visit. Highly recommend spending some time here during your visit to Washington Island read more

Beautiful beach- was packed when we visited- but still spacious for everyone to enjoy. I've never seen a beach of Rocks, it's a beautiful spot we're sure to return to! read more

One of the must see's on Washington Island. This is a rock beach not sand .. the water in Lake Michigan is Cold and clear. You certainly can swim in the water here if you can take the temp. read more

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The island, thus the beach, is just a short trip away. First a 30 minute ferry ride. Ferry departs every hour on the hour, 6am-5pm, I believe. Boarding started about 10 minutes before departure. $66.50 for 3 adults and a car, round trip. Loading of large trucks resulted in a minimal delay of about 5min for the return trip. It also made for some sketchy loading, with squeezing a car in - well, sort of in. Then, roughly a 15 minute drive to the parking area. It is important to note that you will need to allow 2 hours for even a brief visit to the beach. A 1pm ferry to Washington Island will get you there about 140, the drove out puts you there before 2pm and half an hour spent on the beach, then a visit to the tower, gets you back for loading the 3pm. The smooth rock beach is interesting to see. We were the only ones there when we went, perhaps making it extra serene. The water is clear and gives the appearance that the rocks go out quite some distance. I don't know that I would drop $100 and use 2-3 hours of the day to do it again, but I can say I've been, and I don't regret going. Note: Do not take any rocks if you visit. There are signs everywhere and almost every review warns against it. Leave them be, so future generations can enjoy it too. We came early in the season and found that most everything was still closed or closed early. It feels like we spent a lot of time for something so brief, memorable, but brief. read more

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Well-what else is there to say about how awesome this beach is--there's no sand!!! We sat on the stone beach for hours-building rock castles while trying to keep our children from stealing rocks!!! Be careful-if you sit on the waters edge-in the rocks, there's a leach-type creature that will find their way into your unmentionables.. Great clean water though!! Get there early and claim your parking spot in the trees and a spot for your butt on the beach!! read more

Great little beach with pretty limestone rocks and an area to grill out with tables. Worth checking out if you're on the island! The bugs were pretty bad when we were there so be sure to spray beforehand. Parking is strange but they do have spots. Beautiful beach! read more

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Beautiful unique beach. Perfect for spending the day. Bring shoes or flops- walking on the rocks hurt your feet. Not a lot of afternoon sun- arrive early if you want to lay in the sun. read more

School House Beach - Beaches Near Me - Washington Island, Wisconsin

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OK School house beach,on Washington harbor.The glacial polished lime stone stones are special! yes NO SAND! been tossing stones/skipping stones into the harbor for over 45 years,my kids have too! still every winter the winter storms push the smooth polished stones back on shore for the next season visitors! Special the crystal clear waters =gin clear, offer great snorkle/scuba dive area as the harbor sports several ship wrecks and several old town piers now under water but many artifacts can still be seen today! this area is great for a picnic, swim later year as waters warm up,photos,bath rooms on site. read more

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Really something to see. One of only 5 places in the work with smooth stones like this. Could spend all day in this hidden treasure of paradise! One would think it a little uncomfortable to walk, sit, or lay on the stones... But that is not the case. Very comfy location. read more

School House Beach - Beaches Near Me - Washington Island, Wisconsin

This is one of the only limestone beaches in the world. I've read a review that says this is one of the only things to do on the island. There are a myriad of things to do on Washington Island if you plan and have the desire to actually explore the area. This is a beautiful beach with crystal clear water. It is northern Lake Michigan, the water is pretty chilly. I will reiterate that no stones should be removed. Locals told me that there used to be way more rocks; but they have been disappearing throughout the years. Enjoy this scenic place, go swimming (or if you're a chicken like me, go wading); but don't be tempted to take a souvenir. Take the time to enjoy everything that is available on Washington Island. read more

This is a beautiful beach with a nice little park. It is on a Bay on the north end of the island. The beach is clean and adorned with flat, round, smooth stones. Signs in the park warn that it is unlawful to remove any of these stones. This is a great beach for a picnic or a swim on a hot summer day. They say there is a shipwreck out a ways that can be explored by scuba diving. read more

We love to visit Washington Island when we visit Door County. On the Island a must stop is Schoolhouse Beach. What makes this place so unusual and beautiful are the glacial polished lime stone stones. Instead of sand the white smooth stones cover the entirety of the beach. They range in size from pebble like to large boulders. There are always rock formations that people before have made that line the beach adding to its beauty. The beach is free and open to the public. If you can come during the week (a less busy time) I would recommend it. The beach loses some of its serenity when crowded on the weekends. The stones get warmed by the sun and the water is as clear as I have ever seen a lake be. My daughter loves to come here to make rock formations of her own as well as to skip stones into the water. Swimming is allowed but at your own risk. There are picnic areas, restrooms, and water/soda machines but no food served at the beach. read more

Interesting beach with flat rounded white lime stones (1 to a few inches long) instead of sand. It is very non-commercialized (no food nor boat rentals, etc.). Our family enjoyed searching for interesting looking stones at Schoolhouse beach. However be aware that locals are extremely sensitive to tourists removing a single stone from the beach. As we drove in I read "Removal... substantial... stones... prohibited..." (a very different meaning than what the sign actually reads "removal or substantial disturbance of beach stones... prohibited"). When we prepared to leave after telling my kids they could each take a small souvenir rock (boy was I mistaken), a woman blocked our exit with her van, photographed our license plate and informed us that there is a $250 per stone fine and she would call the police and have our vehicle searched at the ferry if we returned to the beach. (She recovered her stones and I lost my desire to ever return to that beach. However after a friendly on-line chat with another resident of Washington Island, I am more sympathetic to the Islanders frustration at slowly losing their unique stones and desire to protect their beach. We discussed how improved signage might help educate tourists.) Schoolhouse beach is unique and picturesque and may be worth a visit if you like natural and un-commercialized and if the $72 (round trip [1]) we paid to ferry a vehicle and family of four is in your budget (and if you remember to not take any rocks!) If you're looking for a more traditional beach in Door County, consider also Nicolet beach at Fish Creek - a beautiful standard sand beach with boat rentals, a shallow roped off swimming area, reasonably priced quality food and friendly people. [1] http://wisferry.com/washington-island-ferry/#rates read more

School House Beach - Town Ordinance 99-1 - Beaches Near Me - Washington Island, Wisconsin

So pretty and the limestone rocks are definitely something special. Nicely maintained and great for a day at the beach. As the the other reviewer noted, I would wear water shoes as walking barefoot is a tad uncomfortable. Many boated were anchored in there as well. read more

Gorgeous beach - a very unique stop. Only downside was the doofuses sitting next to us on the beach that decided throwing rocks at their buddy while he was swimming would be funny. read more

Serene, calm & relaxing -- signs everywhere saying "Don't remove rocks"...... reviews in the past say the rocks used to be in the parking lot, but people are taking them. With all the skipping rocks being tossed in the water, I'm pretty sure the ice shoves them back up on the shore in the winter, thereby returning them to their original places. Lots of cairns (rock towers) being built, people angry about those - relax - again Mother Nature will take care of it. Enjoy it......relax & set aside negativity! read more

Very nice and popular beach up on the north shore of the island. Why's it so special? There's no sand - only rocks (about 1"-3" big) throughout the beach and park. Some people say it's hard to walk on, but I don't mind it. Bring sandals if you think you'll have an issue. The water gets warm enough to swim during summer - and it's usually pretty busy. Bring some food and make an afternoon of it! read more

This beach is worth a visit just for the view. Made up entirely of white roundish rocks, on a serene part of the big lake. If you have trouble walking though you may want to be sure to drive down the BIG hill to get to it. Our visit in mid-September was disrupted by a tour bus with a LOUD loudspeaker blaring and a handful of tourists that behaved unbelievably obnoxiously, marching right by a "private property" sign and fence off to the side, yelling and throwing rocks in the water. Depressing to witness. So, couldn't make a guarantee for a peaceful visit. read more

School House Beach - Beaches Near Me - Washington Island, Wisconsin

Awesome beach, easily overlooked by many people. Really nice place to spend a day. Ample parking and tables. Water is soooo clean.

Beautiful

Great little rocky beach. Comfort is limited seeing as it's all smoothed stones. But it's a cool place, the water is nice and gets deep quick. You will want water shoes or something of the sort if you are swimming...as it can be uncomfortable getting in and out of the water. A great swimming spot though on a hot summer day. read more

School House Beach - Beaches Near Me - Washington Island, Wisconsin

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4 stars and not 5 since the beach is often overcrowded with obnoxious tourists and you aren't supposed to grill in the old campsite spaces (now often used to park cars) anymore. That being said, Schoolhouse is a natural wonder and the crystal clear water is a brisk and beautiful place to swim. read more

very cool beach! definitely a must see when you're in the area. Stones are a little hard to walk on i suggest water shoes but other than that very relaxing. read more

I guess I don't get it when it comes to this beach. It's very pretty and easy to get to. Plus the rocks are cool to see. However it didn't seem as amazing as everyone sets it up to be. If you're looking for some water time with a nice view this is the place for you but it's nothing I would go out of my way for again. read more

So beautiful, so unique. The rocks are like white plaster pebbles with no rough edges. Actually very nice to sit on. The water is clear and cool, the view is amazing. I read more

Fist off no Sand is a big plus when you get out of the water your clean. Sure getting in is a bit of a pass n but once you in swim to the raft dive down get some rocks best beach I have ever been to read more

Beautiful, unique, but disappearing. When I was little (30 years ago) the rocks reached up to the parking lot, now they are only halfway up the beach. One souvenir at a time this beach is being stolen. It is a treasure, visit it before it is gone. read more

Beautiful Beach. Lots of nice people. Great weather!