Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Custom Search Wisconsin's northernmost landscape juts out into Lake Superior as the scenic archipelago known as the Apostle Islands. The national lakeshore includes 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland Lake Superior shoreline, featuring pristine stretches of sand beach, spectacular sea caves, remnant old-growth forests, resident bald eagles and black bears, and the largest collection of lighthouses anywhere in the National Park System.   CONTACTS Email - APIS_Webmaster@nps.gov Fax- 715-779-3049 Write to Route 1, Box 4 Bayfield, WI 54814 Phone Visitor Information Recorded Message - 715-779-3398 Headquarters - 715-779-3397 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons The lakeshore is open all year. From 10/28/2001 To 4/30/2002, the headquarters visitor center is open Wednesday-Sunday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Getting There CAR - The headquarters visitor center is one block off Wisconsin Route 13 in Bayfield. The visitor center and fishery exhibit at Little Sand Bay is accessible by road, 13 miles north of Bayfield. Meyers Road, off Highway 13 about 5 miles east of Cornucopia, offers lake access and a trailhead. Most other facilities are accessible only by water. Weather & Climate Summer temperatures average 75-80 degrees F. during the day and 55 degrees F. at night. Summer thunderstorms commonly create severe, rapidly changing wind and wave conditions. We recommend visitors bring layers of clothing and rain gear. Sea kayakers should use wet or dry suits. Winter temperatures of -10 degrees F. are not uncommon. Accessibility The headquarters visitor center, the Little Sand Bay visitor center, the Stockton Island visitor center, and the Apostle Islands Cruise Service tour boat are accessible to the mobility-impaired. An accessible campsite is located on Stockton Island. Getting Around Although Apostle Islands National Lakeshore features several points of interest located on the mainland, most people consider the islands themselves to be the most rewarding destination. Excursion boat trips leave from Bayfield daily from late May to mid-October. The Apostle Islands Cruise Service offers a variety of excursion trips and a camper and hiker shuttle to several islands. Cruises provide views of most of the islands, as well as close looks at dramatic sandstone cliffs and historic lighthouses. The Cruise Service also operates a water taxi service between Bayfield and any island for up to six passengers per trip. Follow the 'More Information' link above for additional details on tour boats and water taxis. Area marinas offer rental sailboats and will arrange full- and half-day trolling trips for trout and salmon. Local outfitters also rent sea kayaks. If you'd like to take your own boat out onto Lake Superior, or paddle a kayak to one of the islands, follow the 'More Information' link above for essential information. CAMPING Island Campsites Apostle Islands National Lakeshore offers the opportunity to get away from it all by camping on remote islands surrounded by the waters of Lake Superior. Camping opportunities range from developed sites near docks to minimal-impact wilderness camping. All sites are located on islands in Lake Superior; none are accessible by road. For detailed information on camping opportunities, permits, and reservations, as well as photos of all park campsites to help you plan your trip, follow the 'More Information' link. FACILITIES MANITOU ISLAND FISH CAMP Location - Manitou Island, accessible by boat only. Closures - Closed for winter; will reopen summer 2002. Special Programs - Visit the restored site of a historic fish camp to experience how commercial fishermen lived and worked. RASPBERRY ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE Location - Located on Raspberry Island; accessible only by boat. Closures - Closed for winter; will reopen summer 2002. Special Programs - Ranger-guided tours of historic lighthouse. SAND, DEVILS, MICHIGAN, AND OUTER ISLAND LIGHTHOUSES Location - On islands; accessible by boat only. Closures - Closed for winter; will reopen summer 2002. Special Programs - Volunteer lighthouse keepers provide free visitor access to historic lighthouses. Visitor Centers BAYFIELD VISITOR CENTER Phone - 715-779-3397 Location - Located in the old Bayfield County Courthouse on Washington Avenue between Fourth and Fifth Streets, Bayfield. Closures - Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Special Programs - Monday evening 'Around the Archipelago' lecture series, summer only. Exhibits - A good place to begin your National Lakeshore visit, whether by car, afoot, or by private boat, is at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Visitor Center in Bayfield. Apostle Islands brownstone was used to construct this stately building, as well as many other elegant public buildings and residences throughout the Upper Midwest. At the visitor center you can view audiovisual programs and study exhibits about the park's history, natural history, and recreation opportunities. Available Facilities - Rest rooms, information desk, exhibits, camping permits. LITTLE SAND BAY VISITOR CENTER Phone - 715-779-7007 Location - Located on Little Sand Bay Road, 13 miles north of Bayfield, WI. Closures - Closed for winter; will reopen spring 2002. Exhibits - Lakeshore exhibits, park film, Hokenson Brothers Fishery exhibit. Available Facilities - Rest rooms, information desk, exhibits, camping permits, marina. STOCKTON ISLAND VISITOR CENTER Location - Presque Isle, Stockton Island. Available Facilities - Staffed intermittently. Restrooms, exhibits, sales items.   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.   Campgrounds Near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore: Dalrymple Campground, Bayfield County, 2 miles away Buffalo Bay - Chippewa Indians, Bayfield, 4 miles away Legendary Waters Campground and Marina, Bayfield, 4 miles away Apostle Islands View Camp, Bayfield, 4 miles away Bayview Campground, Bayfield County, 5 miles away Little Sand Bay Recreation Area, Bayfield, 7 miles away Point Detour - Chippewa Indians, Bayfield, 7 miles away   Marinas Near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore: Pike's Bay Marina, Bayfield , 2 miles away Roy's Point Marina, Bayfield , 3 miles away Madeline Island Yacht Club, La Pointe , 3 miles away Port Superior Marina, Bayfield , 6 miles away Ashland Marina, Ashland , 11 miles away   Hotels Near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore: Old Rittenhouse Inn, Bayfield , 1 miles away AmericInn Ashland, Ashland , 10 miles away Best Western The Hotel Chequamegon, Ashland , 11 miles away Super 8 Ashland, Ashland , 12 miles away Quality Inn Ashland, Ashland , 13 miles away AmericInn Tofte, Tofte , 35 miles away AmericInn Silver Bay, Silver Bay , 38 miles away   Ski Areas Near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore: Whitecap Mountain, Wisconsin , 36 miles away, 400 foot drop, 8 lifts, 43 runs Lutsen, Minnesota , 40 miles away, 1088 foot drop, 10 lifts, 92 runs Big Powderhorn Mountain, Michigan , 53 miles away, 600 foot drop, 10 lifts, 33 runs Blackjack, Michigan , 59 miles away, 465 foot drop, 6 lifts, 20 runs Indianhead, Michigan , 61 miles away, 638 foot drop, 9 lifts, 23 runs Christie Mountain, Wisconsin , 73 miles away, 350 foot drop, 6 lifts, 23 runs Porcupine Mountain, Michigan , 82 miles away, 641 foot drop, 4 lifts, 15 runs Spirit Mountain, Minnesota , 96 miles away, 700 foot drop, 9 lifts, 22 runs   Whitewater Near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore: White River, Ashland County , 16 miles away, Class II-III - 0.8 miles long (Highway 112 to Highway 13) Bad River, Ashland County , 18 miles away, Class I-II(III) - 20.4 miles long (Elm Hoist Road to Odanah) Marengo River, Ashland County , 20 miles away, Class I-II - 4.8 miles long (Government Road to Bad River) White River, Bayfield Ashland County , 23 miles away, Class I-II - 13.6 miles long (Maple Ridge Road to Flowage) Brunsweiler River, Ashland County , 23 miles away, Class II-III+(IV) - 10.3 miles long (Beaverdam Lake to Highway 13)   Public Lands Near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore: Big Bay State Park, Wisconsin , 10 miles away Copper Falls State Park, Wisconsin , 24 miles away Chequamegon National Forest, Wisconsin , 32 miles away George Crosby Manitou State Park, Minnesota , 34 miles away   Golf Courses Near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore: Apostle Highlands Golf Course, Bayfield , 0 miles away Madeline Island Golf Club, La Pointe , 3 miles away Chequamegon Bay Golf Club, Ashland , 13 miles away