Northport Ferry Pier in Wisconsin — Online Webcam

Northport Ferry Pier: Gateway to Washington Island

At the very edge of the Door Peninsula, where Highway 42 meets the waters of Green Bay, stands the Northport ferry pier — the end of the road and the starting point for travelers heading to Washington Island. This live webcam broadcasts the terminal in real time: cars lining up for boarding, passengers buying tickets at the booth marked Ferry Tickets, and the ferry pulling away from the dock, heading through the treacherous Death's Door strait. Northport is not just a dock but a vital transportation artery connecting the mainland to a year-round island community of about 700 people. Tens of thousands of passengers pass through the terminal each year, and in the summer months the place buzzes with activity from early morning until late evening.

Location and How to Get There

The Northport ferry terminal is located at the northern tip of the Door Peninsula in Door County, Wisconsin, USA. The exact coordinates of the dock are 45.290465, -86.977632, and the mailing address is 215 WI-42, Ellison Bay, WI 54210. This is the very end of Highway 42, which runs along the western coast of the peninsula from the city of Sturgeon Bay. Northport is part of the unincorporated community of Ellison Bay in Liberty Grove township. It takes about 3.5 hours to drive here from Milwaukee and about 1.5 hours from Green Bay. The terminal parking lot is spacious but fills up quickly on summer weekends, so experienced travelers arrive early. An alternative is bus service from major Wisconsin cities, but most tourists prefer personal vehicles to transport them on the ferry.

History of Washington Island Ferry

The ferry crossing between Northport and Washington Island has a rich history dating back to the first half of the 20th century. Washington Island Ferry Line was founded in 1940 with two existing wooden ferries that shuttled between the mainland and the island. Over time, the wooden vessels were replaced with steel ones, and today the line operates up to 25 trips per day during peak season, serving both passengers and vehicles. The ferry service is operated by Washington Island Ferry Line Inc., while the terminal itself is owned by Door County. An important milestone in infrastructure development came in 1994, when a stone breakwater was built. This long-awaited improvement made safe docking possible during strong winds and high waves that previously often forced vessels to cancel trips. Before the breakwater was built, captains had to assess conditions by eye, and ferries frequently couldn't approach the dock in stormy weather.

The Dangerous Death's Door Strait

The ferry route passes through Death's Door strait — one of the most dangerous sections of the Great Lakes. The distance from Northport pier to Washington Island (Detroit Harbor) is about 7 miles (11 km), but these kilometers hold plenty of dangers. The strait connects Green Bay with the main body of Lake Michigan, and strong currents, waves, and ice fields frequently occur here. The strait's name comes from a Native American legend about warriors who perished trying to cross these waters during intertribal conflicts. Today, Washington Island Ferry Line vessels are equipped with modern navigation and radio communications, but winter navigation still closes for several months due to ice. During this period, island residents use air service or snowmobiles when the ice becomes thick enough to cross. The camera on the pier allows you to observe how the character of the water in the strait changes — from summer ripples to winter ice fields.

Seasonality and Terminal Operations

The Northport ferry terminal operates year-round but with significant seasonal differences. In summer, from June through September, passenger traffic peaks: tourists head to Washington Island for its beaches, wineries, tranquility, and a break from city life. Ferries depart every 30–45 minutes, carrying up to 150 passengers and about 20 vehicles. During this time, service equipment regulating traffic is stationed at the terminal, and staff assist passengers with boarding. In autumn and spring, there are fewer trips, but the crossing continues to operate, serving local residents and a small number of tourists. In winter, when Death's Door strait freezes over, the crossing closes for several months — typically from January through March. During this time, the camera shows a snow-covered pier and an empty lot, a stark contrast to the summer bustle. The resumption of navigation in spring is always an event for locals, marking the start of a new tourist season.

Washington Island: The Route's Final Destination

Washington Island, visible on the horizon from the Northport ferry pier, is a unique place with a population of about 700 that has preserved the atmosphere of an old Scandinavian colony. The island was settled by immigrants from Iceland and Norway in the 19th century, and their descendants still make up a significant portion of the local population. The island is home to several wineries, including the well-known Door County Winery, restaurants with the freshest fish, and local souvenir shops. The island's main attractions are Rock Island State Park with its historic lighthouse, white sand beaches, and a network of scenic bicycle routes. The ferry delivers passengers to Detroit Harbor on the island, from where you can continue your journey by rental car or bicycle. Many tourists make the round trip in a single day, but to truly experience the island's atmosphere, it's worth staying overnight at one of the local guesthouses.

Attractions Near Ellison Bay

Several interesting places are located near the Northport ferry pier that are worth visiting before or after the crossing. Within walking distance is the Death's Door Maritime Museum, dedicated to the maritime history of the region and shipwrecks in the strait. Here you can see artifacts from sunken vessels, old maps, and photographs telling the story of the difficult fate of sailors who tried to cross these waters. A few minutes' drive away are Newport State Park — Wisconsin's only wilderness park on the Lake Michigan shore, where you can see untouched forests and rocky coastline, Ellison Bluff State Natural Area with scenic cliffs offering panoramic views of the bay, and Door Bluff Headland's County Park. All of this makes Northport not just a transit point but a starting point for exploring all of Door County — one of the most scenic regions of the Midwest.

What You Can See on the Camera

The online camera is positioned to capture the entire Northport ferry terminal area. In the center is the dock where the ferry berths, connected to the ramp for loading vehicles and passengers. In front of the dock is the ticket booth with the distinctive Ferry Tickets sign, where passengers purchase their travel documents. On the asphalt lot — vehicles waiting to board, pedestrians, orange traffic cones, and markings to organize queues. On both sides of the pier stretch stone breakwaters, beyond which the waters of Green Bay are visible. On the horizon, the opposite shore is visible — Washington Island with its hills and vegetation. To the right of the frame are trees and a sandy area, and in the upper right corner a current weather widget is often displayed. The camera operates in real time, allowing you to observe ferry movements, weather conditions, and the life of the terminal — from the morning rush to the evening quiet, when the last ferry departs toward the island and the pier falls silent.