Greengate Farm Country Rentals

Where is Washington Island, WI?

•  Washington Island is located in Northeastern Wisconsin.  The island is approximately 6 miles off the tip of the Door County peninsula and reachable by car ferry, personal watercraft or personal aircraft.
• Chicago - 300 miles
• Milwaukee - 200 miles
• Green Bay - 100 miles

Where on Washington Island is Greengate Farm located? 

• Greengate Farm is located on the Northern shore of Washington Island, WI.  The Farm is east of School House Beach/Washington Harbor and west of Jackson Harbor.  Greengate is approximately 8 miles from the ferry dock.

What is the ferry schedule and how much are tickets?

• Please visit http://www.wisferry.com/ for all ferry details.

How do I get to Greengate Farm?

• Greengate Farm is located on the island map within the ferry schedule.  The schedule/map is available at both ferry docks.
• From the ferry dock on Washington Island, take Lobdell Point Road to the first stop sign.  Turn left onto Main Road.  Right onto Jackson Harbor Road.  Left onto Swenson Road.  Continue straight past the stop sign onto the gravel road.  At the T junction, take a left through a green gate and proceed straight onto our long driveway.  Midway up the drive, you will see signs directing your towards the Office, Apartment, Cabin and Apple House.
• Please adhere to the 15 mph speed limit on our driveway and watch out for dogs and wildlife!  Lawn speed limit - 5 MPH.  Thanks!

Is Greengate Farm open all year round?

• Yes.  The Apple House is heated and open all year round for those who want to enjoy the best of what winter has to offer on Washington Island.  There is snowshoeing, cross country skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling and hunting to enjoy.  The Cabin and Apartment are 3 season rentals that are not heated.

What is Greengate Farm’s pet policy?

• Must be well-socialized and comfortable in an off-leash setting where other dogs are at play
• Must be 100% house broken
• Must be current with vaccinations
• Owners are responsible for their dogs safety
• For the safety of off-leash dogs visiting Greengate, retractable leashes are prohibited

Well-mannered and vaccinated dogs are welcome at Greengate Farm.  Greengate Farm staff must be advised of any pet(s) that will be accompanying you when your reservations are initially placed.  Pet owners must be able to provide proof of current vaccinations upon request.  Please be sure to bring the necessary paper work from your veterinarian for every pet in your party.  Dogs are free to swim off our beach, run through our woods or simply lounge on our lawns.  Please be respectful of other guests and their dogs; have a leash on hand just in case.  Unfortunately, dogs that are not 100% house broken are not allowed at Greengate Farm.

• In order to keep the dogs visiting Greengate Farm safe, please adhere to the 15 MPH speed limit on the driveway.  Lawn speed limit - 5 MPH.  Thank you.

May I bring my ATV, snowmobile, dirt bike, wave runner, kayak or canoe to Greengate Farm?

• Absolutely!  We have miles of trails in our woods for you to enjoy.  We also have a concrete boat launch that will accommodate personal water craft.  Please advise us of what you are bringing at the time reservations are made.  Be sure that all your motorized toys are properly licensed and registered.

May I bring my larger motorized boat to Greengate Farm?

• Unfortunately, Greengate Farm’s boat launch cannot handle watercraft any larger than a wave runner or dingy.  Larger boats may be launched at Jackson Harbor which is only 3 miles from Greengate Farm.

May I tour and/or operate the Greengate Farm world class HAM radio station?

• George Ulm W9evt is always eager to show his radio station to guests who are interested.  If you are a licensed HAM, he would be happy share his station with you.  Please inquire about your interests to tour or use the radio station at the time reservations are made.  You will be put in touch with George W9evt and he will do his best to help.

May I have a campfire on Greengate Farm?

• Yes!  Campfires are permitted in our designated fire pit which is just off the beach.  Campfire rules are posted and must be followed at all times.  Wood is provided and kindling can easily be collected in our woods.  Be sure to bring your s’mores and outdoor cooking supplies.  (Use fire pit at own risk.)

Can I swim at Greengate Farm?

• Absolutely.  Please enjoy our 1.5 miles of private lake shore!  Most people find the water to be chilly yet comfortable enough to swim in during July, August and early September.  The water is clean, clear and very refreshing!  We have a rock beach, so water shoes are STRONGLY recommended.  It is also recommended that guests swim in the designated swimming area.  No life guard is present and all waterfront activities, including swimming, are at your own risk.
• School House Beach is Washington Island’s most popular public beach.  It is also a rock beach and is about a 5 minute drive from Greengate Farm.
• There is a large indoor pool, hot tub and small workout room in the Washington Island Rec Center.  Please call the Rec Center directly for prices and daily schedule.  920-847-2226

Is there internet access at Greengate Farm?

• Yes!  The Apple House and Cabin are both equipped with high-speed wireless internet.  Internet users should be aware that moderate to severe weather may causes a break in service.  Service interruptions cause by weather can take hours to days to correct and are not predictable.  While we do our best to keep our internet up and running, lack of internet service will not result in a reduction of charges for any guest regardless of circumstances.

May I hunt on Greengate Farm?

• Registered hunters may hunt on Greengate Farm only during designated seasons.  Please discuss your intent to hunt on Greengate at the time your reservation is placed.

May I use my gun(s) for target practice at Greengate Farm?

• No.  Guns may not be used for any reason other than hunting by registered hunters during hunting season.  No exceptions.  The island Sportsman’s Club can be used by guests who wish to target practice either during or outside of hunting season.  Entrance is free.  A small donation is recommended.  The sportsman’s club is approximately a 10 minute drive from Greengate Farm.

What kind of farm is Greengate?

• Greengate Farm is a retired fruit farm.  When it was a working farm, it produced mostly apples and cherries.  Most of the fruit trees no longer stand.  The beautiful antique orchard that exists on our main lawn still produces some fruit, but is no longer cultivated.  The antique orchard makes for stunning scenery and brings deer out from the woods to feed on the fallen apples.  Long ago, Greengate Farm was home to a few cows and pigs.

Who are the Ulms and how are they connected to Greengate?

• George Ulm purchased Greengate Farm from the Gentry family in 1959.  In 1977 George married Susan and in 2004 they moved from the Chicago suburbs to Washington Island as full-time residents.  Susan immediately opened Greengate Farm Country Rentals.  She enjoys running the family business while George pursues his life-long HAM radio hobby.  George and Susan have three children.  Their eldest child, Erich, lives in the suburbs of Chicago with his wife and son.  He works as a mobile electronic installer and specialist.  Their middle child, Amy, lives at Greengate.  She works in the special education department of the local school and assists with running the rental business during summer.  Their youngest child, Lauren, is a renowned vegan chef and blogger who is in the process of publishing her first cookbook.  She lives in Boston with her husband.

Some General Information about Washington Island:

• Washington Island is about 5 x 6 miles.
• About 700 people live on Washington Island year-round.
• About 90 children attend the k-12 public school.
• There is no pharmacy, mall, clothing store, fast food, movie theater or car wash on the island.
• There are no poisonous snakes on Washington Island.