Spider Island (Wisconsin)

Spider Island is a small, uninhabited island located in Lake Michigan, part of Door County, Wisconsin. It is one of the five islands comprising the Grand Traverse Islands, the others being: Detroit, Hog, Plum, and Pilot Islands.

The island is known for its rugged limestone bluffs and boreal forest ecosystem. While relatively small, Spider Island is a significant nesting area for a variety of bird species, making it an important part of the Wisconsin Islands Wilderness Area, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The island is largely undeveloped, preserving its natural state and offering a valuable habitat for wildlife.

Access to Spider Island is typically by boat, and due to its protected status and fragile environment, visitation is often restricted or discouraged to minimize disturbance to the bird populations and overall ecosystem. The island's remote location and lack of facilities contribute to its preservation. The name "Spider Island" is of uncertain origin, with no specific historical record explaining its naming.