Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-23. Check linked official notices before travel.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore protects 21 islands and a stretch of mainland on Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin. Choose a mainland hike or arrange water transportation to the islands. A Bayfield visit alone does not put you on an island, and Lake Superior paddling requires equipment and skills for cold, exposed water.

Highlights of the Apostle Islands

• Mainland sea caves: hike above the sandstone shore from Meyers Beach or explore by water when conditions permit.
• Island landscapes: beaches, forest trails, historic light stations, and remote campsites reward a planned boat trip.
• Maritime history: lighthouses, fishing sites, and shipwrecks connect the lake to generations of work and travel.

Plan your lakeshore visit

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Check the current access and marine conditions before committing to a trip. Confirm transport schedules and the final camping total separately.

Cold-water and cliff safety

Lake Superior can change quickly from calm water to rough waves, fog, or squalls. Wear a life jacket and cold-water protection. Use a sea kayak suited to open water, with rescue equipment and practiced rescue skills. Recreational kayaks and paddleboards are poor choices for the sea caves. Avoid the caves in rough conditions. Beginners should consider an authorized guided trip; NPS does not lead kayak tours.

Read the park's kayaking preparation guide. Cell coverage is limited. Carry a marine VHF radio for water travel. In an emergency, call 911 or use VHF channel 16 and give your location.

Protect beaches and historic sites

Use boardwalks and established trails. Keep off beach vegetation and leave artifacts where they lie, including underwater objects. Campfires are prohibited on Meyers Beach and several island beaches. Follow local fire restrictions rather than assuming every beach permits a fire.

Camping and transport reservations

All lakeshore camping requires a reservation and permit. Individual sites accommodate one to seven people; group sites serve eight to 21. Individual and primitive-zone itineraries open 30 days before the trip begins. Group sites follow a separate lottery and booking process. Use the official camping instructions to choose the correct category. Reserve boat transportation separately.

Maps, mainland stops, and island access

Park headquarters is at 415 Washington Avenue in Bayfield. For the mainland Lakeshore Trail, use 90500 Meyers Beach Road, off Highway 13 near Cornucopia. Little Sand Bay is a separate mainland destination at 32660 Little Sand Bay Road. The NPS arrival guide identifies these stops and the construction closure. Islands require water access.

Nearby parks by road

Copper Falls State Park near Mellen and Amnicon Falls State Park near South Range are mainland road destinations for a separate stop. Copper Falls is reached near Highway 13 and Highway 169; Amnicon Falls has its entrance on County Highway U east of Superior. Neither requires an island transfer.

Hiking, boating, and island camping

The mainland Lakeshore Trail reaches its first sea-cave views near the Crevasse, 1.8 miles from Meyers Beach. Returning there makes a 3.6-mile hike. Continuing to the Bowl makes a 4.8-mile round trip. Expect ravines, roots, narrow bridges, and slippery sections. Stay well back from cliff edges.

Water access opens a different visit: island trails, beaches, light stations, and overnight camping. Choose the island and landing before arranging a shuttle, water taxi, or private boat trip. Weather can change the itinerary.

Mainland services and remote campsites

Most designated individual and group campsites have a picnic table, fire ring, food locker, and nearby privy. Primitive camping zones have no such amenities. There is no drive-in car or RV camping within the national lakeshore. Carry drinking water and prepare for unavailable seasonal supplies.

About the national lakeshore

Ojibwe connections and lake industries

Ojibwe relationships with these islands continue today. Light stations, fish camps, logging sites, and underwater wrecks preserve later chapters of life on Lake Superior. The National Park Service manages the national lakeshore and protects its cultural remains.

Island habitats and wildlife

Temperate and boreal forest communities meet here. They support nesting and migrating birds, mammals, amphibians, and fish. Black bears also live in the lakeshore. Use the campsite's food storage facilities and keep wildlife from obtaining food.

Contact Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Call 715-779-3398 for access, camping, and visitor-service questions. Headquarters: 415 Washington Avenue, Bayfield, WI 54814.