Sandstone sea caves on Devils Island in the Apostle Islands.

National Lakeshore · Lake Superior

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

A Lake Superior archipelago of forests, beaches, sea caves and lighthouses.

Photo: Sharon Mollerus · CC BY 2.0

Devil's Island Sea Caves (28462731415).jpg by Sharon Mollerus · CC BY 2.0. Resized and converted to WebP; display crops vary.

Plan a trip around it

On the coast

About Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

The islands and mainland shoreline offer paddling, hiking, camping and views across Lake Superior.

LakeLake Superior
RegionWisconsin
Representative coordinates46.9700, -90.6600
Park typeNational Lakeshore
BeachYes
CampingYes

Live · Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

What's going on right now.

Weather, alerts, the water, the sky and local headlines, gathered from official sources as you read.

Gathering the latest conditions…

National Weather Service Environment Canada NOAA buoy observations Aurora forecast

Live data from the U.S. National Weather Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, NOAA's National Data Buoy Center and Space Weather Prediction Center; headlines link to the publishers. Sun and moon times are calculated. Conditions change quickly—check official forecasts before going on the water. Not for navigation.

Best time

July and August for the warmest paddling and island-hopping; September for crisp air and thinner crowds.

Time needed

1–2 days

Best months

Don't miss

Highlights of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

  • Hike the Lakeshore Trail from Meyers Beach to clifftop views over the mainland sea caves, or paddle beneath them on a calm day.
  • See the largest collection of lighthouses in the National Park System, several visible on seasonal cruises from Bayfield.
  • Visit the Hokenson Brothers Fishery at Little Sand Bay, a preserved family commercial-fishing operation.
  • Camp on Stockton Island and walk the sweeping sand beach at Julian Bay.

Know before you go

Tips for visiting Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

  • Meyers Beach is exposed to the open lake; kayak the sea caves only in settled weather, ideally with a guide, and dress for cold water.
  • Island campsites require a permit and reservation, and boat pickups can be delayed by weather — pack extra food.
  • The winter ice caves open only in rare years when lake ice is judged safe; check park announcements before you go.
Great for Islands, boats & paddling Lighthouses Camping & dark skies Shipwrecks & maritime history

Get your bearings

On the shoreline.

Loading the map. The links and itinerary below are always available.

Representative location; not a verified entrance or navigation aid.

Black-and-white basemap by OpenStreetMap. Great Lakes highlighted in color. Hold Ctrl (or Command) while scrolling to zoom. Use two fingers on touch screens.

Lake outlines: Natural Earth (public domain). Town centers: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Not for navigation.

Good to know

Questions about Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Where is Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is on the Lake Superior shore of Wisconsin. It is roughly 13 miles in a straight line from Bayfield.
When is the best time to visit Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?
July and August for the warmest paddling and island-hopping; September for crisp air and thinner crowds.
How much time do you need at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?
Allow 1–2 days to explore Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
Does Apostle Islands National Lakeshore have a beach?
Yes. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore has a Lake Superior beach. Check local beach advisories and swim conditions before going in the water.
Can you camp at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?
Yes. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore offers camping. Summer sites can book up early, so reserve through the official park system.

Travel well

Make it a good visit.

Check access before leaving.

Opening hours, parking, permits and step-free access change by season. Confirm your needs with the official destination; a map pin is not an entrance.

Give the shoreline time.

Leave room for weather delays and a quieter side trail. Stay on marked paths, respect closures and support the local communities that make the coast special.

Travel thoughtfully

Look beyond the air forecast.

Waves and water temperatures can tell a very different story. Use marine forecasts and local beach advisories before any water activity.

Official weather resources

Nearby

More places to visit near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

Approximate straight-line distance between representative pins—not driving distance, a ferry route or an access recommendation.

About 13 miles · Wisconsin

Bayfield

A small harbor town and gateway to the Apostle Islands.

Explore place

About 37 miles · Minnesota

Split Rock Lighthouse

An iconic beacon perched above Minnesota's rugged North Shore.

Explore place

About 48 miles · Minnesota

Two Harbors

Ore docks, a historic lighthouse and a working Lake Superior waterfront.

Explore place

Road trips

Put this place on a longer route.

10–14 days

Lake Superior Circle Tour

A cross-border road trip around the world's largest freshwater lake by surface area.

View the itinerary

Events

Seasonal traditions on this coast.

These events share the region and lake—not necessarily this destination. Confirm current dates with organizers.

October (confirm annual dates)

Bayfield Apple Festival

An autumn gathering connecting Bayfield's harbor town with its orchard country.

Organizer & event guide