Information
Landmark: Madeline Island FerryCity: Door County
Country: USA Wisconsin
Continent: North America
Madeline Island Ferry, Door County, USA Wisconsin, North America
Overview
It appears, The Madeline Island Ferry Line carries passengers between Bayfield, Wisconsin, and Madeline Island-the biggest of the Apostle Islands-its deck often smelling faintly of lake water as it cuts across Lake Superior, therefore the ferry keeps residents, visitors, and businesses connected, carrying people and cars across the water all year-when the weather’s calm and the ice has cleared.The ferry leaves from the Bayfield terminal at 20 Washington Avenue, Bayfield, Wisconsin, gliding about 2.5 miles-roughly 4 kilometers-across the blue stretch of Lake Superior to dock at La Pointe on Madeline Island, in conjunction with the route winds past the lake, the Apostle Islands, and stretches of wild shoreline where pines sway in the breeze.The ferry fleet usually includes several boats, each able to carry passengers along with cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and even compact trucks rumbling up the ramp, after that the ferries are built to handle all sorts of vehicles, and the biggest can haul several cars and a crowd of passengers in a single trip.Boat sizes and how often they run change with the seasons, with more departures and bigger vessels crowding the docks in the height of summer, as well as from late spring through early fall, the ferry runs daily, leaving about every half hour during busy times-usually between 7 a.m. And 10 p.m, when the docks hum with footsteps and chatter, therefore frequent runs keep tourists moving, help locals get to work, and carry supplies-sometimes even crates of fresh apples-where they’re needed.Off-season in fall and early spring means a slimmer schedule-maybe just a handful of trips each day-since fewer people are traveling, while in winter, the ferry stops running when thick ice on Lake Superior makes the crossing too unsafe.During the bitterest winter stretches, when ice and storms halt the ferry, people switch to other ways of getting across-like the windsled, a snowmobile-towed sled that skims over the frozen lake, carrying both passengers and their gear, also because the service depends on the weather, it only runs at certain times, so you’ll need to plan ahead-think checking the forecast before you book.Ice Road: Once the ice grows thick enough to be harmless, crews open the official route, and cars rumble straight across the frozen lake between Bayfield and Madeline Island, alternatively crews check the ice road every day to keep it risk-free, but shifting weather can shut it down without warning-even the sound of cracking ice can be the first sign.You can only buy tickets at the Bayfield ferry terminal, and they’re sold on a first-come, first-served basis for both passengers and vehicles-whether you’re walking on or driving aboard, likewise we don’t take reservations for regular cars or saunter-on passengers, even if you’re just carrying a backpack.If you’re bringing something large-like a semi, a bus, or anything over 35 feet-special arrangements and reservations are available, not only that for check-in, plan to get there 20–30 minutes before departure so there’s time to board-especially when the terminal’s buzzing during holidays or rush hours.Vehicle and Passenger Rates for 2025 depend on the size and type of your ride-whether it’s a modest hatchback or a full-size van, furthermore for example, a passenger walking on might pay about $7 to $10 for a one-way trip-roughly the cost of a cup of coffee and a muffin, perhaps A one-way fare for a standard car-about 19 to 22 feet long-starts near $26, and the price climbs with each extra foot, hitting higher rates for huge trucks, RVs, or trailers, meanwhile bicycles and motorcycles often cost less to bring along, and sometimes they’re simply covered in the price of your ticket.The ferry ride lasts about 20 to 25 minutes, though choppy waves or shifting winds can deliberate things down, therefore passengers can take in sweeping views of Lake Superior, spot bald eagles gliding overhead or loons skimming the water, and watch the Apostle Islands’ scenery shift from rocky cliffs to quiet bays.Each vessel offers indoor seating, clean restrooms, and an open deck where you can breathe in the salt air and snap a few photos, meanwhile the ferry’s built for easy access, with smooth ramps and clearly marked seating set aside for passengers who use wheelchairs or need extra room to move.Not surprisingly, You can bring your pet on board as long as it’s on a leash or secured in a carrier, furthermore the ferry company follows strict safety rules and keeps to environmental guidelines, making sure the lake stays clear and its shores untouched.Madeline Island is the only Apostle Island where people live and visit all year, so the ferry is a lifeline-carrying locals, tourists, crates of supplies, and even fresh bread across the water, simultaneously it helps keep local shops open, draws visitors to resorts, campgrounds, and restaurants, and backs up emergency crews when they’re needed most.The ferry is the island’s lifeline, carrying students, teachers, and artists across the bay to keep educational and cultural ties with the mainland strong, equally important for the latest schedules, fares, and service updates, call the Madeline Island Ferry Line at 715‑747‑2051.This reliable, scenic ferry links Bayfield to Madeline Island for most of the year, carrying passengers across the sparkling water in all kinds of weather, not only that with frequent trips, comfortable seating, and room for everything from bicycles to trucks, it’s a crucial link for the island’s residents and the people who come to visit.Seasonal adjustments keep the routes open through the biting nippy of winter, ensuring people can still reach one of Lake Superior’s most striking and rare spots in Wisconsin.
Author: Tourist Landmarks
Date: 2025-10-07
