Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

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Tree-covered red cliffs meet greenish blue water, in a bowl shape.
Hike or paddle to views of the sea caves along the mainland unit of the park.
A two story white house with a light tower in the middle, reflects the colors of the setting sun.
Step into the past with a visit to Raspberry Island Lighthouse.
Sunrise illuminates a long beach near calm water.
Julian Bay is a popular beach to visit on Stockton Island.
A rocky shoreline meets the calm water of a lake at sunset.
Experience the setting sun along a rocky island shoreline.
Photos: National Park Service

About Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, located at the northern tip of Wisconsin's Bayfield Peninsula, features 21 stunning islands, a scenic 12-mile shoreline along Lake Superior, and is located within the ancestral homeland of the Ojibwe people. Established in 1970, the park showcases picturesque sea caves, sandy beaches, and the largest collection of lighthouses in the National Park system.

Quick Facts

State Wisconsin
Designation National Lakeshore
State Code WI
Weather Lake Superior is renowned for its cold temperatures, rough seas, fog, and sudden squalls. Boaters and paddlers should monitor marine weather forecasts and be constantly alert to changing conditions. Average…

Location & Map

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is located in Wisconsin.

Operating Hours

The park is open 24/7 year-round. Visitor centers are open only in summer, with varying hours.

Wednesday All Day
Monday All Day
Thursday All Day
Sunday All Day
Tuesday All Day
Friday All Day
Saturday All Day

Activities

Boating Motorized Boating Sailing Boat Tour Camping Backcountry Camping Canoe or Kayak Camping Group Camping Fishing Freshwater Fishing Guided Tours Boat Tour Hiking Hunting and Gathering Hunting Paddling Canoe or Kayak Camping Kayaking Junior Ranger Program SCUBA Diving Snowshoeing Swimming Freshwater Swimming Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Shopping Bookstore and Park Store Gift Shop and Souvenirs

Getting There

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is located in northern Wisconsin along the shores of Lake Superior. The Lakeshore has several entrance points, with much of its area accessible primarily by water.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 415 Washington Avenue, Bayfield, WI, 54814
Phone 7157793397
Email apis_information@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

Arts Photography Colonization and Settlement Commerce Trade Farming and Agriculture Industry Logging and Timber Cutting Maritime Lighthouses Ships and Shipwrecks Native American Heritage Social Movements Conservation Movement Ancient Seas Animals Birds Fish Caves, Caverns and Karst Climate Change Coasts, Islands and Atolls Forests and Woodlands Coniferous Forests Deciduous Forests Geology Lakes Natural Sounds Night Sky Aurora Borealis Rock Landscapes and Features Scenic Views Unique Species Endangered Wetlands Wilderness

Visitor Centers

Bayfield Headquarters

The park's headquarters is located in the Bayfield, WI in the old Bayfield Courthouse Building. This iconic, brownstone building is easy to recognize from Washington…

Hours: The Bayfield Headquarters Visitor Center is open during the summer and closes for the season on September 3rd.

Little Sand Bay Visitor Center

This seasonal visitor center, opened in 2020, features exhibits that showcase the history of Little Sand Bay and the experiences of making a life on…

Hours: The Little Sand Bay Visitor Center is open during the summer and closes for the season in September.

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