Story:
This was our third annual father-daughter kayak camping weekend on Rock Island. Friday afternoon's crossing to Rock Island was a challenging, with west winds churning up 3 ft waves. We paddled out of Jackson Harbor and headed into the wind, than rafted up as we floated with the wind towards the point of Rock Island. Once around the point, waters were relatively calm. Saturday morning I paddled to Washington Island and then to the north point of Rock Island. In the afternoon, we circumnavigated the island with a stop to tour the lighthouse. The waters on Saturday were calm and flat on all sides of the island. Sunday's return crossing to Washington Island was also relatively calm. Overall the weather was beautiful with moderate temperatures and no rain. Another memorable get-away weekend.
This was our third annual father-daughter kayak camping weekend on Rock Island. Friday afternoon's crossing to Rock Island was a challenging, with west winds churning up 3 ft waves. We paddled out of Jackson Harbor and headed into the wind, than rafted up as we floated with the wind towards the point of Rock Island. Once around the point, waters were relatively calm. Saturday morning I paddled to Washington Island and then to the north point of Rock Island. In the afternoon, we circumnavigated the island with a stop to tour the lighthouse. The waters on Saturday were calm and flat on all sides of the island. Sunday's return crossing to Washington Island was also relatively calm. Overall the weather was beautiful with moderate temperatures and no rain. Another memorable get-away weekend.
Tips:
Check the weather forecasts if you plan to make the crossing to Rock Island. Even though it's only 1.5 miles from Jackson Harbor to the camp sites, it's not safe for recreational kayaks and canoes if the wind and waves are not cooperating. We used sea kayaks with full safety gear including spray skirts. If you can't kayak to Rock Island, the Karfi passenger ferry will transport your kayak to Rock Island for a slight additional fee.
Reserve your camp site well in advance at the Reserve America site for Rock Island State Park. If you're kayak camping, be sure to select a lakeside site. The hiking trails and the lighthouse tour are not to be missed.
Check the weather forecasts if you plan to make the crossing to Rock Island. Even though it's only 1.5 miles from Jackson Harbor to the camp sites, it's not safe for recreational kayaks and canoes if the wind and waves are not cooperating. We used sea kayaks with full safety gear including spray skirts. If you can't kayak to Rock Island, the Karfi passenger ferry will transport your kayak to Rock Island for a slight additional fee.
Reserve your camp site well in advance at the Reserve America site for Rock Island State Park. If you're kayak camping, be sure to select a lakeside site. The hiking trails and the lighthouse tour are not to be missed.
Tags:
Rock Island State Park Pottawatomie Lighthouse kayak camping Washington Island
Rock Island State Park Pottawatomie Lighthouse kayak camping Washington Island
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