Apostle Islands
National Lakeshore

The park in a nutshell:

These 21 forested islands and 12 miles of mainland Lake Superior shoreline feature pristine stretches of sand beach, spectacular sea caves, remnant old-growth forests, resident bald eagles and black bears, and the largest collection of lighthouses anywhere in the National Park System. The lakeshore covers 69,372 acres, of which 42,140 are above the waterline.

VISITATION:

237,883 in 1998. Over 85 percent of visits occur from June through September.

LOCATION:

On the south shore of Lake Superior in Ashland Co. and Bayfield Co., Wisconsin

ADDRESS:

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Route 1 Box 4

Bayfield, Wisconsin 54814

TELEPHONE:

(715) 779-3397

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

The lakeshore is open all year. The headquarters visitor center is open daily from May through October from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day) and Monday to Friday November through April from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Summer temperatures average 75-80 degrees F (24-27 C) during the day and 55 degrees F (13 C) at night. Summer thunderstorms commonly create severe, rapidly changing wind and wave conditions. We recommend visitors bring layers of clothing and rain gear. Sea kayakers should use wet or dry suits. Winter temperatures of -10 degrees F (-22 C) are not uncommon.

DIRECTIONS:

The headquarters visitor center is one block off WI Route 13 in Bayfield, 23 miles north of Ashland, WI, and 90 miles east of Duluth, MN.

TRANSPORTATION:

To Park: access by state highway 13; bus depot in Ashland, WI (23 miles); regional airports in Ironwood, MI (75 miles) and Duluth, MN (90 miles). In Park: Mainland visitor centers at Bayfield and Little Sand Bay (13 miles north of Bayfield) are accessible by personal vehicle. Islands in the national lakeshore range from 1.5 to more than 20 miles offshore. They are accessible by private boat, the Apostle Islands Cruise Service, and the Apostle Islands Water Taxi, Inc.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore charges a camping permit fee. Permits cost $15 for individual campsites and $30 for group campsites. Each permit is good for up to 14 consecutive nights of camping in the national lakeshore.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Visitor Center/Exhibits:
Headquarters visitor center, Little Sand Bay visitor center, Stockton Island visitor center, South Twin Island contact station, Hokenson Brothers Fishery museum, Manitou Island Fish Camp, Raspberry Island Lighthouse, Sand Island Lighthouse, Devils Island Lighthouse, Michigan Island Lighthouse, Outer Island Lighthouse.

Trails, Roadways:

There are over 50 miles of maintained trails in the national lakeshore. These are located primarily on Stockton Island (14.5 mi.), Oak Island (12 mi.), Outer Island (9 mi.), Basswood Island (7.5 mi.), Manitou Island (3 mi.), Sand Island (2.5 mi.), Rocky Island (2 mi.), and Otter Island (2 mi.).

The three-mile-long Little Sand Bay Road provides access to the Little Sand Bay visitor center and Hokenson Brothers Fishery. Only the northernmost section of the road is within park boundaries. Meyers Road provides access off state highway 13 to a parking lot, picnic area, and kayak launch site at Meyers beach on Squaw Bay, about five miles northeast of Cornucopia, WI.

Programs/Activities:

Regularly scheduled ranger-guided tours, walks, and evening programs are available seasonally. School programs available throughout the year, reservations required. Apostle Islands School on-site environmental education program offered in May, registration required.

Lodging and camping facilities:

No lodging available in the national lakeshore. Camping permitted on 18 of the 21 islands. No NPS campgrounds on the mainland. A variety of lodging and camping facilities are available in the Bayfield area.

Food/supplies:

None available on the islands. Restaurants and grocery stores are located in Bayfield and other area communities.

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:
Apostle Islands Cruise Service and Apostle Islands Water Taxi Inc. provide scheduled and unscheduled transportation to the islands. Eastern National Park and Monument Association operates book sales outlets at Bayfield, Little Sand Bay, Stockton and Raspberry islands.

Accessibility:

The headquarters visitor center, the Stockton Island visitor center, and the Apostle Islands Cruise Service boat are accessible.

Special Needs:

Boats are required for transportation to the islands. Public boat launches are available in Bayfield, Red Cliff, and Little Sand Bay. No fuel is available in the national lakeshore. At least eight local marinas offer facilities for boaters. Sailboat charters and sea kayak rentals are available in the area. Small open boats are not recommended for inter- island transportation.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Sailing, boating,sea kayaking, camping (permit required), hiking, picnicking, swimming, scuba diving (permit required), excursion cruises, sport fishing and hunting (state licenses required), cross country skiing, visiting museums and exhibits, and participating in guided programs (seasonally).

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

A permit is required for any camping or scuba diving in the national lakeshore. A camping permit fee system allows visitors to reserve campsites prior to their visit. Reservations for individual campsites (1-7 campers) can be made up to 30 days in advance. Reservations for group campsites (8-30 campers) can be made beginning January 12, 1999, at 9:00 am. Diving permits are free and must be picked up in person at park visitor centers prior to the dive. A permit is required for participation in the October deer hunt on Oak and Basswood islands for hunters using muzzle- loading weapons. For additional information concerning reservations, special use or other permits call (715)779-3397.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

A minimum of a half day is required to stop at the headquarters visitor center and take the basic three-hour excursion cruise through the national lakeshore. One to three days is necessary to visit the islands and experience a variety of the area's natural and cultural sites.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

A guest lecture series is offered for 12 weeks each summer on Wednesday evenings in the headquarters visitor center. An Artist-in-Residence program allows artists to spend two to three weeks in a cabin on Sand Island, interpreting the park through their medium, and sharing results with visitors.

VISITOR IMPACTS:

Biting insects are common from late May to August. Black bears inhabit several islands. Campers must keep clean campsites and store food properly. Areas are occasionally closed to protect wildlife species or sensitive vegetation. Certain areas of the park are closed to camping. Bicycles and other mechanized conveyances are not allowed off-road anywhere in the national lakeshore. Lake ice conditions vary, affecting over-ice access to islands and sea caves in winter.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

Big Bay State Park and the State Historical Society museum on Madeline Island (2 miles by car ferry from Bayfield), Red Cliff Indian Reservation (3 miles from Bayfield), Chequamegon National Forest (20 miles), Bad River Indian Reservation (35 miles), Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (80 miles), Isle Royale National Park (180 miles).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Write to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Route 1, Box 4, Bayfield, WI 54814, or telephone (715)779-3397, or e-mail to apis_webmaster@nps.gov.

Last Updated:April 7, 1999 17:20:13
http://www.nps.gov/apis/
Author: apis_webmaster@nps.gov