Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is located in Wisconsin, USA. It lies between the Bayfield Peninsula and Lake Superior and is situated in the northern part of the state along the lake shore. The park is famous for its beautiful sea caves, islands, lighthouses, and boating opportunities.
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Location Map, Bayfield, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Maps and Info
Top Attractions Inside Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
- Sea Caves – Stunning sandstone caves along Lake Superior’s shore, accessible by kayak or boat tours.
- Devil’s Island Lighthouse – Historic lighthouse offering scenic views and photo opportunities.
- Bayfield Peninsula Trails – Hiking trails through forests and along lakeshore with panoramic vistas.
- Long Island – Offers camping, hiking, and serene natural landscapes.
- Rocky Islands & Beaches – Small islands with pristine beaches ideal for exploring and wildlife spotting.
- Madeline Island – The largest island featuring shops, restaurants, and cultural sites.
- Camping & Backcountry Sites – Remote sites for overnight stays amid forests and lakeshore scenery.
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Facts
| Official Name | Apostle Islands National Lakeshore |
| Location | Lake Superior — off the Bayfield Peninsula, Northern Wisconsin, USA (Bayfield and Ashland Counties); nearest city: Bayfield, WI |
| Constituents | 21 of the ~22 Apostle Islands + ~12-mile (≈ 19 km) strip of mainland shoreline on Bayfield Peninsula + surrounding Lake Superior waters :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} |
| Latitude & Longitude (approx. central / Bayfield shore) | ≈ 46.81° N, 90.83° W (Bayfield area / main mainland access) :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} |
| Total Area | ≈ 69,372 acres (≈ 28,074 hectares) including land & submerged waters — of which ~42,308 acres is land and ~27,232 acres is water / submerged lake area :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} |
| Established / Designated | September 26, 1970 (by U.S. Congress) :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5} |
| Managed By | National Park Service (NPS) :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7} |
| Main Natural Features / Geography | Sandstone-cliff islands, sea caves / wave-carved caverns along Lake Superior, rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, glacially-shaped terrain, mixed northern hardwood & boreal-forest, freshwater-lake island & shoreline ecosystem, offshore waters of Lake Superior. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8} |
| Cultural & Historic Significance | Historic lighthouses (the largest collection of historic lighthouses in any U.S. National Park area) on multiple islands, evidence of past logging, quarrying, fishing & Native American / Ojibwe heritage; historic quarries, old-growth forest remnants, fish camps, maritime-heritage structures. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9} |
| Wildlife & Ecology Highlights | Mixed northern-forest flora with over 800 plant species; fauna includes bald eagles, loons, waterbirds, fish species native to Lake Superior, northern mammals (e.g. beaver, otter), and typical boreal / Great-Lakes ecosystem biodiversity. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10} |
| Recreation & Activities | Sea-kayaking / boating (including sea-cave & island-hop tours) • Sailing & recreational boating • Camping on many islands (permit-based) • Hiking on trails and coastal walks • Swimming & beach visits • Wildlife & bird-watching • Historic-site & lighthouse visits • Ice-cave & winter walking / snowshoeing (when ice/conditions permit) :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11} |
| Access & Visitor Info | Gateway / main access point: Bayfield, WI — visitor center & HQ located in Bayfield. Access to islands primarily by boat, ferry, kayak or charter; some mainland-shoreline and sea-cave access reachable by road / short boat/shore walk (e.g. Meyers Beach / mainland sea-caves). Camping requires permits. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12} |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – UTC−6 Standard / UTC−5 Daylight Saving (Wisconsin) :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13} |
Distances from Apostle Islands National Lakeshore to Nearby Landmarks
- Bayfield, WI – 3 km (1.9 mi)
- Red Cliff, WI – 8 km (5 mi)
- Washburn, WI – 32 km (20 mi)
- Superior, WI – 128 km (79 mi)
- Duluth, MN – 160 km (99 mi)
- Madeline Island – 5 km (3.1 mi)
- Iron River, WI – 55 km (34 mi)
- Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest – 70 km (43 mi)
- Cornucopia, WI – 16 km (10 mi)
- Port Wing, WI – 24 km (15 mi)
- Bayfield Peninsula Scenic Byway – 3 km (1.9 mi)
- Brule River State Forest – 70 km (43 mi)
- Lake Superior Provincial Park, ON – 300 km (186 mi)
- Grand Portage, MN – 120 km (75 mi)
- Ironwood, MI – 200 km (124 mi)
- Washburn Marina – 32 km (20 mi)
- South Shore of Lake Superior – 40 km (25 mi)
- Bayfield Harbor – 3 km (1.9 mi)
- Apostle Islands Visitor Center – 5 km (3.1 mi)
- Madeline Island Ferry Dock – 5 km (3.1 mi)
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