I just wanted to mention that I had hundreds of pictures and a bunch of video from my trip to Rock Island, but the files were corrupted by the time I got home. Just another strange thing to happen I suppose. That is the partial reason why this video turned out so bland.

Waiting for everyone from radio rental to show up…

Went during the week. The Ranger, maintainance man, one camper near harbor, two at the light house and myself on the east side,group site C, I recall. Put my hammock near the edge facing the lake. No bugs, warm breeze coming off the lake. Sleeping bag unzipped to my waist. It was like a dream. Got up to P, saw aurora borealis.

So I'm the most skeptical person in the world. I'm not religious, superstitious or anything when it comes to weird or unexplained situations I tend to look for the most rational explanation. That being said my Friend Jennifer her then boyfriend and another friend of mine named Spencer decided to take a weekend camping trip to Rock Island the summer of 2000. We had to bring all our food, water and everything out there to the southeast shoreline where the campsites are. Just getting to the island was a chore and a half as we had to take Jennifer's moms Oldsmobile Bravada from Washington island and park it and take the boat with all our gear to rock island per the man that runs the ferry boat. He said we were late and almost decided to leave before we got there. I remember Jennifer's then boyfriend having to grease(bribe) the guy to calm him down and take us over. He reluctantly did and there we were.......all alone on this island. We had to walk all the way in and it felt like it took forever with all our gear. We set up camp and decided to look for downed wood to make a fire. We found some and started cutting wood and getting our fire started. As darkness started to creep in there were definitely things that started happening. We felt like we were being watched by someone and heard footsteps in the woods when there was nobody for acres if at all. I remember finding a stone wall and it led to a cemetary which I thought was odd because this island is very remote. The cemetary was overgrown and definitely had a creepy vibe when we scouted out the island. The craziest thing that haunts me to this day was the beach walk we took. On that southeast side of the island there's a smooth and rough part of the beach with various size rocks and sand/stones. I remember walking down to the point and then coming back yet when we made the return trip the beach had changed........ it went from smooth to rough but now the rocks had been stacked......yes stacked like tourists do in national parks. Like I said, I am not superstitious or a conspiracy theorist whatsoever but I can't explain how those rocks got piled up when our group of four went down the beach and then back. It's totally plausible that we didn't notice them and the tide may have had something to do with it. But........the timeframe from when we started to when we made the return was too short for that to NOT be noticed. These piles were large!!! Large stones and smaller ones on top like a pyramid. This was 23 years ago and I still vividly remember those rocks, cemetery, footsteps and the feeling of being watched. The footsteps were loud in the woods too. Not like a deer or orher animal. I would definitely go back to the island but I don't recommend anyone go alone for safety reasons. When I say it's remote, I truly mean it. If we had fallen on those rocks down the beach we could have broke an ankle or leg very easily. There were NO cellphones at that time and we just knew the ferry was coming at a certain time at the end of the weekend to take us back to Washington island. I came here to this video because a buddy of mine from California asked me if I had been to Rock island. I said yes and told him my story I just told. He said there was some podcast I needed to hear and there was a bunch or stories about the island. I feel stupid because I live in De Pere Wisconsin and am a history buff but admittedly not looked up the history of the island both now and in 2000 so I had no knowledge of the happenings of the island's history. All I can tell you is that the island is creepy AF and there is definitely some energy there that is not normal. This is my personal belief and I saw what I saw and heard what I heard. I can't explain it and it may very well be able to. I can say it's about as remote and raw camping as I would ever want to do and only recommend the island to people that are experienced campers who like to rough it and be 100% off grid. This isn't your Jellystone campground so be warned.

I just got back from Rock Island after camping there solo for the first time (have camped there before, just not by myself). When I got back I was talking to my husband about some weird experiences and decided to look and see if there were any other stories out there. The first was just occasional weird feelings like I was being watched, and hearing footsteps behind me when there was no one. The more disturbing for me was a feeling of dread and then a sound of purring outside my tent. But it didn’t sound like a cat or raccoon. It sounded kind of more guttural, even kind of metallic. At first I thought maybe it was a distant sound from another campsite, but I heard it moving around, getting closer and further away, coming from different places around the tent. I personally will go back to Rock Island, but not by myself. Thank you for sharing your story so I don’t feel crazy!

I got to rock island every year and after hearing this I have a renewed passion to go back this year. Also you forgot to mention how rock island has tons of snakes.

I believe this. I wish I had made it to the island! I got back from Washington Island today. Areas near Jackson Harbor gave me a feel of dread. Limestone and the supernatural go hand in hand. Our most haunted City in Illinois is Alton, and it has a lot of limestone. Lots of activity! I just felt scared on the north part of the island. I picked up a rock and a snake was under it. It smelled awful there and there were dead crayfish and fish all over.

I don't know if you made this up or if it actually happened, but either way, i thoroughly enjoyed it. You have a great speaking style. Thank you.

I saw many small cemeteries scattered across the island. I also learned of a secret archeological site.

Storm. Remember your surrounded by water. Wind crossing the water hits islands and has a strong up current. Why well your on a island. Once in 1987 we were deer hunting there and the wind blew from the North and were stranded for a day and a half too rough for our 18 ft boat. The squealing you heard is probably Fishers. The DNR reintroduced them mostly to prey on Racoons which were a big problem at the campsites. That too is what you may have heard. Raccoon fights sound very disturbing. It can even sound like a baby crying. I have been going to Washington, Rock, Plum, and Detroit Islands there since 1970. Want some stories of true crime stuff there is a tiny island Northwest of St Martin island ,which lies in Michigan waters, 7 miles north of Rock, anyway Northwest of that is a speck of a island. Poverty island. Some stories of that place I've heard!

True story??