Explore Plum Island in August

Tim Sweet

Saturday, Aug. 18, pack a picnic and spend a day on Plum Island, Door County with the US Fish & Wildlife Service and Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands as they offer guided, interpretive tours of the island’s natural habitat and historic maritime structures. Visitors can hike Plum Island’s trails, climb the Rear Range light, spend time kayaking around the island, even snorkel the wreck Grape Shot (bring your own snorkeling gear).

Getting There: Shoreline Charters is sponsoring 2 trips to and from Plum Island. Contact (920) 421-0922 to reserve a spot. Limit of 16 people per trip. Timing dependent upon weather conditions.

Trip 1 From Gills Rock

Departs from Shoreline Marina in Gills Rock. Office located in stone boathouse located below Shoreline Restaurant, 127 Hwy 42

8:30 am: Depart from Gills Rock —arrive at Plum Island 9:00 am

3:45pm: Depart from Plum Island —arrive at Gills Rock 4:00pm

Trip 2 From Detroit Harbor, Washington Island

9:30 am: Depart from Detroit Harbor—arrive at Plum Island 9:45am

3:15pm: Depart from Plum Island —arrive at Detroit Harbor 3:30pm

Intending to kayak? Island Adventure Company on Washington Island is offering 1/2 price on full day kayak rentals. Contact them by Aug. 13 to reserve a kayak. (920) 421-4563. USFWS Ranger Dustan Hoffman can help transport your kayak from Detroit Harbor, Washington Island to Plum Island. (920) 948-5037.

Plum Island (Green Bay NWR) is open during daylight hours Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend for hiking, wildlife observation, and nature photography on designated trails and beach areas only. Foot travel only on the island. Use of boot brush station is mandatory to prevent the spread of invasive species. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed and pet waste picked up and removed. NOT PERMITTED on Plum Island: fishing from the dock or beach; swimming from the dock or other structures; collection of plants, berries, seeds, mushrooms, rocks, fossils, antlers, or other artifacts; fireworks; camping; campfires; geocaches. Other Information: Restrooms available. Bring your own drinking water. Cellular service extremely limited. No entrance fees.