Summary
It is a beautiful and unique destination to visit, featuring 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland on Lake Superior. The islands are known for their stunning natural beauty, including sea caves, sandy beaches, and towering cliffs. Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, kayaking, fishing, and camping.
One of the most popular attractions at the Apostle Islands is the sea caves, which can be explored by kayak or on foot during the winter months when the caves freeze over. The park also offers a variety of hiking trails, including the Oak Point Trail, which offers stunning views of Lake Superior. Other points of interest include the historic lighthouse on Sand Island, the Devils Island sea caves, and the Raspberry Island lighthouse.
Interesting facts about the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore include that it was designated as a national lakeshore in 1970 and is home to the largest collection of lighthouses in the National Park Service. The islands also have a rich cultural history, with evidence of human habitation dating back at least 4,000 years.
The best time of year to visit the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore depends on your interests and the activities you want to participate in. Summer is the most popular time to visit, with warm temperatures and a variety of outdoor activities available. However, the winter months offer a unique opportunity to explore the frozen sea caves and experience the park in a different way.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Dalrymple Park Campground
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Bayfield
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Apostle Islands Area Campground
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Ba03
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Ba02
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Brownstone Quarry
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