National park · United States
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Go for the sea caves by kayak or the mainland trails; there is no entrance fee, but island camping needs a permit booked ahead. Skip the islands if you have no boat or tour — the mainland shore is the free half.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
280 km² (108 sq mi)108 sq mi (280 km²)
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 280 km² (108 sq mi)108 sq mi (280 km²)
- About 280 km² (108 sq mi) total, mostly water; roughly 170 km² (65 sq mi) of land across the islands and mainland unit (check).
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore protects 21 of the 22 Apostle Islands plus about 19 km (12 mi) of mainland shore on Lake Superior, in northern Wisconsin near Bayfield. The draw is the sandstone sea caves, carved by waves and ice, best reached by kayak or a tour boat. The mainland unit — Meyers Beach, the Lakeshore Trail and the Sand Island and Little Sand Bay area — is walkable and free. Lake Superior is cold, fog-prone and quick to change; plan around water temperature, not air temperature.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 1970National Lakeshore, managed by the National Park Service.
Size and age
280 km² (108 sq mi)108 sq mi (280 km²) · national park since 1970
About 280 km² (108 sq mi) total, mostly water; roughly 170 km² (65 sq mi) of land across the islands and mainland unit (check).
Why go
- Sandstone sea caves at Meyers Beach and on Sand Island, cut by Lake Superior waves and winter ice.
- A freshwater kayaking area with campsites on forested islands, reached from Bayfield or Little Sand Bay.
- Mainland trails and a lighthouse you can visit without a boat.
- Cold, clear water and dark skies — the islands are far from city light.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanDeep winter; ice caves only in rare freeze years, access unsafe
- FebFrozen shore; no boat access
- MarIce breaking up; services closed
- AprCold, wet; most tours not running
- MayQuiet; water still in the 40s °F, cold for paddling
- JunLong days; kayak and boat tours running
- JulWarmest air; busiest, book ferries and campsites early
- AugWarm air, water still cold; peak crowds
- SepMild, fewer people, stable weather
- OctFall colour; some tours wind down
- NovCold, windy; limited services
- DecWinter; island access by boat ends
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black bears on the islandsMay–Oct · Store food in provided boxes or hang it; bears swim between islands. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Bald eagles and ospreysApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Migrating songbirds and waterfowlApr–May, Sep–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Lake Superior lake trout and whitefishMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Bayfield
Base for ferries, kayak tours and the visitor centre; drive or shuttle to Meyers Beach for the mainland trail.
20–40 min to trailheads
From Duluth, MN
Drive US-2 and WI-13 along the south shore of Lake Superior.
2–2.5 h
From Minneapolis–St Paul
Drive I-35 north then WI-13; the last stretch is two-lane.
4.5–5.5 h
From Madison
Drive I-90/I-94 north via Eau Claire, then US-53 and WI-13.
5.5–6.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland unit (Meyers Beach and the Lakeshore Trail) | Cliffs, the Lakeshore Trail and the sea caves seen from above. | Open; no entrance fee. |
| Sand Island | Lighthouse, sea caves and campsites, a short paddle or boat ride from Little Sand Bay. | Boat or kayak; camping permit needed to stay. |
| Outer islands (Stockton, Michigan, Oak and others) | Forested islands, lighthouses and remote campsites. | Boat or kayak only; some have no docks. |
| Little Sand Bay | Visitor centre, kayak launch and the Twilite fish tug exhibit. | Open; seasonal visitor centre. |
Sketch map
- 1Bayfield Visitor Center · Headquarters≈46.813, -90.821Map ↗
- 2Little Sand Bay Visitor Center · Ranger station≈46.946, -90.890Map ↗
- 3Meyers Beach · Beach≈46.892, -91.035Map ↗
- 4Sand Island lighthouse · Viewpoint≈46.998, -90.942Map ↗
- 5Stockton Island · Sleep≈46.938, -90.579Map ↗
- 6Cornucopia · Town≈46.854, -91.104Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation; island landings are not all at these points.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance to the lakeshore (mainland and islands) | Free | person | No entrance fee; this is a National Lakeshore, not a fee-charging national park. |
| Island camping permit | US$15–30 | night | 2026 estimate; per site, booked through the park, fee varies by site and season (check). |
| Kayak or boat tour to the sea caves | US$90–200 | person | 2026 estimate; half-day to full-day, operator-dependent. |
| Passenger ferry or tour boat to an island | US$40–80 | person | 2026 estimate; round trip, varies by island and operator. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Island camping permit or guide
Mainland day use no permit
Commercial kayak or boat tour no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$15–30
- US$90–200
- US$40–80
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on National Park Service — Apostle Islands National Lakeshore before you go.
Park rules
- Camping
- Only at designated sites with a permit; no camping on the mainland unit.
- Fires
- Fires only in provided rings at designated sites; driftwood gathering is restricted (check).
- Food storage
- Use the metal food lockers on islands; never leave food in a tent.
- Drones
- Not allowed without park permission.
- Artifacts and rocks
- Leave rocks, driftwood and any historic objects where they are.
Where to stay
Near the park
Bayfield
Inns, motels and rentals; the base for ferries and tours.
In the park
Island campsites
Primitive sites on many islands; permit required, no water.
Near the park
Cornucopia and Red Cliff
Smaller mainland bases closer to the western shore.
Safety
Cold water high
Sudden squalls and fog high
Rough trail footing medium
Bears medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Bayfield visitor centre and Little Sand Bay grounds are step-free and reachable by car.
- The Lakeshore Trail and all island sites involve boats, stairs or rough ground; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out all waste from islands; there is no rubbish collection.
- Use a permitted operator and follow no-landing zones near sensitive caves and nesting birds.
- Treat lake water or carry your own; do not wash in the lake.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee for the mainland unit or the islands. You pay only for what you use: an island camping permit (about US$15–30 per site per night, 2026 estimate), a kayak or boat tour (about US$90–200 per person), or a ferry or tour boat (about US$40–80 round trip).
What are the best hikes in Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?
The Lakeshore Trail from Meyers Beach is the main one: about 7 km (4.5 mi) each way along the clifftop to the sea caves overlook, moderate with rough footing. On the islands, short paths run from the landings to lighthouses and campsites on Sand, Stockton and Oak islands; there is no long trail network.
When is the best time to visit Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?
June to September for boat and kayak access, with July and August the warmest and busiest. September is the sweet spot: mild air, fewer people and steadier weather. Water stays cold all season, so paddling needs a wetsuit or drysuit. Winter access is limited and the rare ice caves form only in very cold years.
Do I need a permit to camp on the islands?
Yes. Island camping is by permit only, reserved through the park before you travel. Sites on popular islands fill in July and August. There is no camping on the mainland unit.
Can I visit the sea caves without a kayak?
Yes, partly. The Lakeshore Trail from Meyers Beach gives clifftop views over the caves, and tour boats pass the shore. To paddle into the caves themselves you need a kayak and calm water; guided trips run from Bayfield.
How do I get to the islands?
By kayak, private boat or a commercial ferry or tour boat from Bayfield, or by paddling from Little Sand Bay to Sand Island. There is no bridge. Book ferries and tours ahead in July and August.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go