Gislason Beach
Washington Island, WI
Gislason Beach, also called Red Barn Park, is a small natural beach on Detroit Harbor on the southwest side of Washington Island, beside the Shipyard Marina. It's ungroomed and informal. The sheltered harbor is great for kayaks and paddleboards, though the water and bottom can be murky some days.
A calm harbor for paddling, though the swimming isn't the island's best.
How we score beachesBring a paddleboard. Detroit Harbor is calm and protected even when the open lake is rough.
Parking near Red Barn Park and the marina.
A short walk from parking to a natural, uneven shoreline.
Detroit Harbor is sheltered, so summer evenings are usually calm enough for a sunset paddle. Check the water before swimming; clarity varies from day to day.
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