What to do at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

 The Apostle Islands National Lake Shore is a fantastic travel destination for almost anyone, from families with children to the most adventurous explorers, foodies, and beach bums. Here is a breakdown of some of the most popular activities in the Bayfield Penisula in northern Wisconsin. I will break down these activities into summer and winter seasons, so you can navigate to the more appropriate list based on when you will be traveling. 

This article is a follow-up to my last post about where to stay while visiting Apostle Islands National Lake Shore. While that article is not exclusively for campers, I made sure to summaries all the amenities that would be most important for car camping folks to figure out where to stay. 

NOTE: Due to changes in staffing and funding in 2025, please check with any NPS or National Forest sites you plan on visiting to confirm that campgrounds and amenities are still open.

Summer in and around Apostle Islands

Hiking

The Bayfield Peninsula offers several spectacular hiking options, but the longest and most famous one is located in the National Lakeshore's mainland strip at the northern tip of the peninsula: The Lake Shore Trail. This trail offers ten miles round-trip of hiking within the park proper. The trail features a great lake view, including many creeks and a waterfall. Some sections also provide a nice view of the layered stone structures that make the Meyer's beach area famous. I think this trail also offers a great balance between being challenging enough for avid hikers, without been too advanced for children to enjoy.

To hit this trail, head to Meyer's Beach. The NPS charges a small parking fee: $7 per day last time I visited. Check out the park's website for up-to-date information on passes. There are bathrooms and a water filling station which are free to use. 

For information about hiking island-side, look for "Visit the Islands Via Boat" or "Boat Tours" below. 

Fantastic Beaches

One of the best parts of this area of Wisconsin is the abundance of beaches, some of which have a great view of the islands. These beaches are a great launch point for experienced kayakers with proper equipment. (see "Kayaking" below for further details) Keep in mind while visiting the mighty Lake Superior, that great lakes run much colder than the standard-sized variety. The NPS publishes temperatures and forecasts for the area here. 

Meyer's beach, mentioned in "Hiking" is probably the most famous mainland beach due to the nearby sea caves. However, don't assume it's your only option for soaking up the sun in the sand. 

My personal favorite beach is at Frog Bay Tribal National Park. This park in Red Cliff is the first of its kind and offers free access to easy hiking and a nice beach. Please respect native land while visiting, just like you would in any other forest park. This beach is much less popular than Meyer's, and smaller, which makes it perfect for a quiet soak in the cold superior water, with a view of Oak Island. This park is free, but does accept donations. 

Additional free mainland beach options include Little Sand Bay (west of Meyer's Beach), Washington Avenue Beach (in Bayfield), and Cornucopia Beach. (In Cornucopia). 

 

Kayaking 

One of the most common reasons for visiting the National Lake Shore is the top-tear Kayaking opportunities. The sea caves are a perfect 2 hour adventure for families and casual kayakers, while the islands provide more challenging routes for advanced paddlers. Both options are unforgettable fun. 

The NPS website keeps a record of official vendors who are allowed to operate kayak tours. While you can bring your own equipment, or rent a kayak without a tour, it is highly recommended to paddle with a tour. Lake Superior is prone to bad weather, sudden storms, and water cold enough to create safety issues for capsized paddlers. Furthermore, the coast guard requires paddlers in open water to have advanced equipment in case of emergencies, which you can learn about here. 

Before heading out on your tour, I recommend getting a lanyard or carabiner clip case for your phone, so that you can take pictures easily without being afraid of dropping your phone into the lake, never to be seen again. These can be found online, or at the Trek and Trail store in Bayfield. 

 Visit the Islands Via Boat

The main way to access the islands is to hire a boat service. I recommend boating as a group activity to cut down on costs, since overall this tends to be more expensive than kayaking or other types of tours.

Like kayaking, the NPS website has curated an official list of vendors for water taxi and private tours. Many of these vendors also offer packages. For example, boating to an Island, getting a boat tour around the island, kayaking the island's cave system, and then heading home or camping over night.

This is a great option for the most adventurous, and less budget-minded types of people. Every Island has it's own unique features worthy of visiting, from sea caves, to light houses, to hiking, to wildlife viewing. 

 

 

Boat Tours

Want to see some islands, but don't have $300 for a private boat? You are in luck - Apostle Island Cruises offers a variety of large group tours for a more reasonable price of $40-$60, depending on which outing you buy. The Grand Tour ticket is especially great for photographers and takes you within viewing distance of all islands in the archipelago. If you are really set on getting your feet actually on an island, they also offer lighthouse tours in collaboration with the NPS. 

Additionally, campers and hikers looking for affordable transport to Stockton Island or Oak Island will be happy to see overnight and hiking options offered by the same company. 

 

 Fruit Loop

Aside from water-based activities, the Bayfield Peninsula is also famous for a microclimate favorable for growing fruits like apples, berries, and pears. Take a day to tour a few of the farm stands, and get to know the local growers. Depending on what season you are visiting in, you might even be able to pick your own fruit. I personally enjoyed a pack of local cider and some fruit pastries while visiting. 

 

 

 

Spend a Day in Town in Bayfield

Bayfield my be the smallest city in Wisconsin, but it packs a punch in terms of cuteness and quality small businesses, plus a picturesque marina. A day in town pairs especially well with a round trip boat tour. 

Bayfield offers a great selection of restaurants, bars and shops, from jewelry to outdoors equipment, to art, to t-shirts. If this is in the first half of your trip, you may also want to stop at the National Lakeshore information center in town to pick up maps and ask the rangers for personalized itinerary recommendations. 

Visit the National Forest

the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is a public land that covers a large section of northern Wisconsin and is divided into several management areas. Most day use activities will require a $5/day fee or $30 annual pass. Areas are roughly listed in order of ease of access from Washburn or Bayfield.

•  Valhalla Recreation Area
• This recreation area offers trails for hiking, equestrian and ATV riding, as well as a chalet.
• Birch Grove Recreation Area
• Offers fishing, kayaking, and canoeing for those with their own equipment, as well as a campground. The area's website also notes that berry picking is popular here. 
• Long Lake Recreation Area
• Long lake offers kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and has a sand swim beach. There is also 1 mile of hiking trail. 
• Horseshoe Lake Recreation Area
• This area offers camping, including equestrian camping, as well as nearly 10 miles of mixed use hiking/equestrian trails.
  

 

Native Culture in Red cliff 

 Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa are an integral part of the history and culture of the Apostle Islands area, and there are several opportunities to engage with the tribe. 

First, I highly recommend checking out Frog Bay Tribal National Park, the nation's first tribal national park. Access is free. (Donations are welcome) Here, you can take a very short hike to a quiet beach, with a fantastic view of Oak Island. 

If you are lucky enough to be visiting on the right dates, you might want to check out one of Red Cliff's cultural events. Red Cliff Annual Powwow occurs the first weekend of July, and Red Cliff Annual Cultural Days occurs on the third weekend of September. Both are open to the public. For more information, check the tribal website or their visitor's guide.

Great Lake Visitor's Center

On the southern end of the Bayfield peninsula, outside of the city of Ashland and on your way to Washburn, is the Great Lakes visitor's center. Unlike most National Parks, Monuments and Lakeshores, the Apostle Islands doesn't have one large visitor's center within the park proper. Instead, this space outside the park functions as the main visitor's center for Apostle Islands, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, and some other locally managed entities.  If you are looking to start a NPS stamp collection, buy official NPS souvenirs, watch a film about the park, or enjoy a kid-friendly interpretive center, this is where you need to stop on your way up!

Winter in and around Apostle Islands

Ice Caves

Unfortunately, Ice caves have not been accessible at Apostle Island's Meyers Beach since 2015. Many outdated travel materials still advertise this, so this entry exists more as a warning than a recommendation. Ice caves are gorgeous, but require very cold conditions and very sturdy ice for humans to walk across the water and visit safely.

If you visit Meyer's beach in winter, you can still hike the land trails that go over the sea caves, and you may even get a peak at the icy formations from a distance. 

Snowmobile, Skiing, and Snow Shoeing

The Apostle Islands era offers an abundance of trails for winter sports. Check out the National Forest locations listed above for trail options. Additionally, the city and county manage their own trails, and you can check on their status here. Multiple shops offer equipment rentals for skiing and snowshoeing, such as Howl Adventure Center.

Stay in a Cozy Cabin

There are many, many vendors with great cabins to share during the winter near the Apostle Islands. Many of the established campground mentioned in my article on places to stay near the Apostle Islands also offer cabins. Additionally options can be found by searching for rental properties. 

Sled Dogs and Mushing

Want some real adventure with a unique twist? Bayfied has a venue that offers sled dog mushing! Additionally, the town of Iron River (at the base of the peninsula) hosts the Northern Pines Sled Dog Race. 

Additional Winter Information

The Bayfield peninsula is a rural and somewhat remote part of Wisconsin, and the islands (including the populated Madelyn Island) should be treated as completely remote for tourists in the winter. Winter storms and unpredictable temperatures can make traveling from location to location more difficult. If you are visiting during the winter, make sure you have appropriate clothing, and you feel confident driving your vehicle in winter conditions.  

If you are new to the idea of winter travel or adventure, or you are looking to reduce you winter blues, you might be interested in reading this guide to beating cabin fever.