Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is one of the great natural treasures of the Upper Midwest, a scattered archipelago of 21 wild islands and a stretch of mainland shoreline set in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior off the northern tip of Wisconsin. Famed above all for its spectacular sandstone sea caves — sculpted by the great lake into arches, chambers and honeycombed cliffs — the lakeshore is a paradise for paddlers, boaters and lovers of wild, watery beauty.

Beyond the sea caves, the islands shelter old-growth forests, pristine beaches, sandscapes and the largest collection of historic lighthouses in the National Park System, relics of the era when these waters were a vital and treacherous shipping route. In the depths of winter, when the lake freezes, the mainland sea caves become a wonderland of ice. Reached by boat, kayak or, in rare frozen winters, on foot across the ice, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a remote, rugged and unforgettable jewel of Lake Superior.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a premier destination for sea kayaking among its famous sandstone sea caves, along with boating, sailing, camping on the wild islands, hiking old-growth forest trails, beachcombing, fishing, lighthouse touring and, in rare frozen winters, walking to the ice-draped mainland sea caves. Excursion boats, kayak outfitters and the mainland visitor center serve visitors. The combination of sea caves, islands, lighthouses and pristine Lake Superior shoreline makes the lakeshore an outstanding paddling and wilderness destination.

Summer through early fall is the prime season, when the lake is warmest (though still cold), the excursion boats and kayak outfitters run, and camping and paddling are at their best — with fall adding spectacular color. The mainland sea caves are best by kayak in summer. In rare deep-freeze winters, the ice caves draw visitors on foot, but only when the ice is officially declared safe. Lake Superior’s weather is fierce and changeable; plan around conditions, and aim for calm summer days to paddle the sea caves.

The Apostle Islands carry a deep human history — the homeland of the Ojibwe people, who still hold ties to the islands, followed by French fur traders, commercial fishing, logging, quarrying of the prized brownstone, and the building of lighthouses to guide ships through the treacherous waters. The islands hold the largest collection of historic lighthouses in the National Park System. Recognizing their wild beauty and history, Congress established Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in 1970, protecting the islands, sea caves and shoreline.

The Apostle Islands are built of ancient sandstone — the reddish-brown Chequamegon and Devils Island sandstones — deposited around a billion years ago, into which Lake Superior has carved the spectacular sea caves, arches and honeycombed cliffs through relentless wave action, ice and weathering. Glaciers shaped the islands and the lake basin, and the soft, layered sandstone continues to erode into the dramatic coastal features. The interplay of ancient rock and the powerful lake gives the lakeshore its sculpted sea caves and rugged shores.

The islands and waters of the Apostle Islands host black bear (which swim between islands), white-tailed deer, and a rich community of birds, including bald eagles, herons, and migratory and nesting birds drawn to the wild shores, while Lake Superior supports lake trout, whitefish and other fish. The old-growth forests shelter diverse wildlife, and the remote islands provide important, undisturbed habitat. The lakeshore is an excellent place for wildlife watching and birding amid its pristine island and Lake Superior environments.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore protects a remarkable Lake Superior ecosystem — old-growth forests (some never logged), pristine beaches, bogs, sandscapes and the cold, clear waters of the greatest of the Great Lakes. The islands’ isolation has preserved rare and undisturbed habitats, including significant stands of old-growth and important bird and wildlife populations. The interplay of island forests, shoreline and the vast lake forms a wild, ecologically rich landscape, and protecting it sustains one of the most pristine environments in the Great Lakes.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore holds deep cultural significance — the ancestral homeland of the Ojibwe, whose connection to the islands endures, and a landscape layered with the history of fur trade, fishing, brownstone quarrying and lighthouse keeping. Its spectacular sea caves, historic lighthouses and wild islands have made it a beloved and iconic destination on Lake Superior, treasured for both its natural grandeur and its rich human story along the shores of the inland sea.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is at the northern tip of Wisconsin on Lake Superior, with the mainland visitor center in Bayfield, reached via State Route 13, and the islands accessible by boat, excursion cruise or kayak (Madeline Island, not part of the lakeshore, is reached by car ferry). The lakeshore is free to enter, though tours, camping permits and outfitters charge fees. Lake Superior conditions govern access. Check the National Park Service for visitor centers, boat and kayak access, camping permits and conditions before visiting.

The National Park Service protects the islands, sea caves, old-growth forests, historic lighthouses and pristine Lake Superior shoreline of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Visitors help by treading lightly on the fragile sea caves and shores, respecting wildlife and nesting areas, following camping and Leave No Trace rules, packing out everything, honoring the cultural and historic sites, and protecting the clear waters. Conserving the wild islands and the great lake sustains one of the most pristine and significant natural and cultural landscapes in the Great Lakes.

Lake Superior is cold, vast and dangerous — its weather and waves can change with deadly speed, and the water is frigid year-round, so paddle the sea caves only in calm conditions with proper gear, skills and a wetsuit, or go with an outfitter. Never venture onto winter ice unless the National Park Service officially declares the ice caves safe. Carry safety equipment, check forecasts, and respect the lake’s power. On the islands, be bear-aware and store food, and prepare for remote, rugged conditions.

The lakeshore is free to enter; camping on the islands requires a permit, and Leave No Trace rules apply. Paddle and boat safely and legally on Lake Superior; outfitters and tours are permitted. Do not damage the sea caves or disturb wildlife, nesting areas or historic and cultural sites. Pets are restricted on some islands and trails. Drones are prohibited. Fishing requires a Wisconsin license. Never enter winter ice caves unless officially declared safe. Check the National Park Service for permits and current rules.

The town of Bayfield — the gateway to the islands — and Madeline Island, with its own state park and reached by ferry, lie at the lakeshore, with the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, the Bad River and Red Cliff Ojibwe communities, and the broader Lake Superior shoreline nearby. The cities of Ashland and Duluth-Superior are within reach. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore anchors a wild, scenic region of Lake Superior at the northern tip of Wisconsin, rich in paddling, history and natural beauty.

Paddle the famous mainland sea caves by kayak on a calm summer day — go with an outfitter if you lack sea-kayaking experience, as Lake Superior is cold and dangerous — or take an excursion boat among the islands and lighthouses from Bayfield. Camp on a wild island with a permit, tour the historic lighthouses, and watch the weather closely. Only visit the winter ice caves if the National Park Service declares the ice safe. Base in Bayfield and dress for the cold lake.