Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
National Lakeshore · WI
Caution · Bear Alert
Black bears inhabit many of the Apostle Islands. Follow safety guidelines: store food and scented items properly, hike in groups, stay attentive, and make noises if you encounter a bear in a visitor area.
More informationCaution · Hunting Season Safety
Hunting is allowed in parts of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore from mid-September through early January. Wear blaze orange to stay visible and keep pets leashed and in bright vests. Make noise while hiking so others can hear you. Stay aware and enjoy a safe visit. Click the link below for more information on hunting and trapping in the Lakeshore.
More information4 noticesfrom the National Park Service
Information · Construction Activity at Little Sand Bay; Boat and Kayak Access Maintained
Construction for the Little Sand Bay Marina Rehabilitation Project begins May 1. The Town of Russell boat launch and the NPS kayak beach will remain open, with short detours around work areas. Expect reduced parking, delays, and increased noise. The Little Sand Bay Visitor Center will be closed in 2026 due to construction.
More informationInformation · Ongoing Closure Notices
Devils Island dock and campsites and West Bay Club on Sand Island are closed. These closures affect only a small portion of the Lakeshore. Enjoy your visit.
Information · Private Inholdings: Sand & Rocky Islands
There are privately occupied residences and docks on the southeast corner of Sand Island, as well as just north of Group Site A on Rocky Island. These areas are closed to the public. Please respect their privacy and do not trespass in these locations.
Information · Stockton Island Trail Access
The trail between Presque Isle Bay and Quarry Bay on Stockton Island is open, but a footbridge on the western portion of the trail was washed out in a 2024 storm. Visitors must wade through shallow water or take an alternate route.
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.
- NPS site
- nps.gov/apis
- Location
- Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (46.962, -90.660)
Track your visit to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
NP Tracker keeps a record of every National Park Service unit you visit — all 430-plus of them. Log visits with dates and photos, collect passport stamps, plan trips, and watch your map fill in. It's free.
Passport stamp locations
- Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
- Bayfield Headquarters
- Little Sand Bay Visitor Center
- Presque Isle Campground - Stockton Island
- Stockton Island
Hours
Entire Parktoday: All Day
- Sat Oct 3All Day
- Sun Oct 4All Day
- Mon Oct 5All Day
- Tue Oct 6All Day
- Wed Oct 7All Day
- Thu Oct 8All Day
- Fri Oct 9All Day
The park is open 24/7 year-round. Visitor centers are open only in summer, with varying hours.
Hours are retrieved from the National Park Service and can change without notice — check the official site before you go.
Visitor centers
2
- Bayfield Headquarterstoday: 7:00AM - 5:00PMDirections
- Little Sand Bay Visitor Centerclosed todayDirections
Entrance fees
No entrance fee.