415 Washington Ave, Rte 1, PO Box 4, Bayfield, WI 54814
Phone: 715-779-3397
Fax: 715-779-3049
Open All Year
Overview. Hemlock and hardwood forests and sandy beaches greet visitors to these 21 islands located off the Wisconsin shoreline in Lake Superior. Bald eagles and black bears make these islands home, while lake trout, whitefish, and herring fill the surrounding waters. During a storm, wild Lake Superior waves lash the islands, but soon the sun breaks out again on a typical summer day. At least six lighthouses, the largest collection in a National Park System site, dot the islands. Visitors enjoy a wide range of activities in the islands, from sailing to camping to touring historic sites. What to see and do. In the charming mainland town of Bayfield, you'll find the lakeshore headquarters and visitor center. Open from 8 AM until 6 PM during the summer (until 5 PM in the fall and weekdays to 4:30 in winter), the handicapped-accessible center offers several exhibits and audiovisual programs on the islands' history and natural resources. Pick up a schedule for the cruise service and water taxis, which provide access to the islands if you don't have your own boat. The Apostle Islands Cruise Service boat is accessible. If you have only one day, take a three-hour inter-island cruise after checking out the visitor center. If you'd like to spend more time exploring the islands, reserve a backcountry campsite for your tent. Backcountry camping is permitted on 18 of the 21 islands. Once on the islands, take advantage of hiking trails leading you through the forested interiors. The park service maintains over 50 miles of trails, mostly on Stockton, Oak, Basswood, and Outer Islands. With permits and according to state regulations, you can hunt in some areas. Miles of lakeshore offer other kinds of activities. Take your sea kayak into dozens of inlets wrinkling island shorelines, or sail between the islands before the playful Lake Superior breezes. The area hosts one of the Great Lakes' largest charter sailing fleets. Scuba diving has lately become popular; this part of Lake Superior contains over 15 known shipwrecks, including schooners from the late 19th century, turn-of-the-century freighters and salvage tugs, and early 20th-century steam barges, which lie in waters that are anywhere from 6 feet to over 50 feet deep. Obtain a permit before you dive in. Commercial guides and charter craft are available. During summer, be sure to take a ranger-guided tour of at least one of the lighthouses and the Hokenson Brothers Fishery, a commercial fishing museum on the mainland at Little Sand Bay. Rangers also lead informative nature walks on some of the islands. Check in Bayfield or at the Stockton Island Visitor Center for exact locations. If you visit during winter, bring your cross-country skis and plenty of warm clothing. Even summertime can be chilly in northern Wisconsin. Lake Superior's waters remain quite cool throughout the summer, so swimmers should be prepared and kayakers should wear wet or dry suits. Because weather can change rapidly, you're advised not to take small open boats between the islands. Fill gas tanks at mainland marinas because there are no facilities on lakeshore islands. Summertime biting flies and mosquitoes make insect repellent a must.
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