At the northern tip of Wisconsin, Lake Superior breaks into a scatter of forested islands, sandstone cliffs and sea caves. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore protects 21 of those islands and a 12-mile stretch of mainland shore, along with a remarkable cluster of historic lighthouses. This guide explains how the lakeshore works, how to see it safely, what the winter ice caves really involve, and what has changed for 2026.
The basics
The National Park Service describes the lakeshore as 22 separate units: 21 islands and a 12-mile mainland unit that runs from Meyers Beach to Little Sand Bay. There are 22 Apostle Islands in all. The largest, Madeline Island, is not part of the national lakeshore. It is a lived-in island community with its own history, reached by ferry from Bayfield in the open-water season.
Bayfield: the gateway
Most visits start in Bayfield, Wisconsin. The national lakeshore's headquarters is in town, and the sightseeing cruises and the Madeline Island ferry leave from its waterfront. Bayfield pairs well with a visit to Duluth or a longer Lake Superior road trip.
Fees
The lakeshore does not charge an entrance fee, but it does charge amenity fees. These include daily parking at Meyers Beach, camping permits and overnight docking. Check the NPS fees page for current rates before you go.
Ways to see the islands
By boat
Most visitors see the islands from the deck of a sightseeing cruise out of Bayfield. Cruises are seasonal, so check the operator's schedule. A cruise is the easiest way to see the sandstone cliffs, island lighthouses and the open water of the lake in a single afternoon.
By kayak, with real caution
Paddling into the summer sea caves is the classic Apostle Islands photograph, but the National Park Service is blunt about the risk. Kayakers have died at the sea caves. The park says recreational kayaks should not be used on large bodies of open water like Lake Superior, and recommends a wet suit or dry suit to prevent cold shock and hypothermia. Average water temperatures in May and June are in the 40s Fahrenheit.
If you are not an experienced sea kayaker, the park's own advice is that guided trips are great for beginners. Book a licensed guide, and be prepared to cancel if wind and waves pick up.
On foot: the Lakeshore Trail
You can see the mainland sea caves from above without getting on the water. The Lakeshore Trail starts at Meyers Beach, off Highway 13 east of Cornucopia. It is about 1.8 miles to the first glimpse of the caves at the Crevasse, then another 0.6 miles past several sea cave overlooks to the Bowl. That is a 4.8-mile round trip, and the park describes it as best suited to strong hikers. Stay well back from cliff edges.
Meyers Beach has construction in 2026. The lawn areas are closed, but the park says stair access to the beach will be maintained through the 2026 season.
Camping
All camping in the lakeshore needs a permit, and camping fees apply. Island campsites are popular in July and August, so plan well ahead.
The ice caves: rare, not seasonal
Photographs of frozen waterfalls and icicle curtains inside the mainland sea caves have made them famous. The reality is that the ice caves are rarely accessible. Visitors can only walk out to them when Lake Superior freezes into stable ice along the shore. The National Park Service says conditions allowed access on just one day in 2026, February 16, and before that for a brief nine-day period in 2015. The ice caves page lists their current status, and when we checked it read closed.
Do not walk on the lake ice unless the park has officially opened access.
What has changed for 2026
The NPS lists several projects and closures for 2026:
- Little Sand Bay: from May 1, 2026, the marina is closed to the public and the visitor centre is closed during construction.
- Devils Island: marina access is closed until construction is completed.
- Meyers Beach: the lawn areas are closed for construction, with stair access to the beach maintained.
Check the park's alerts before you travel, especially if you plan to camp or dock overnight.
Ojibwe homeland
These islands are in the heart of Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) homeland, and that history is present, not past. The Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, whose reservation sits at the northernmost point of Wisconsin next to the lakeshore, tells the history of the Ojibwe migration in its own words. In the Band's telling, the seventh and final stopping place was the island now known as Madeline Island, which the Band says was renamed in honour of an Anishinaabe woman, Ikwesewe, the wife of a French fur trader.
The National Park Service says Ojibwe culture is saturated with a relationship to this place and these islands. For the Ojibwe story of the Great Lakes, read the Red Cliff Band's own history pages, and see our introduction to the First Peoples of the Great Lakes.
Planning tips
- Best season: summer, from mid-June to early September, for cruises, camping and warmer air. Water stays very cold all year.
- Fall: quieter, with colour on the islands and the last cruises of the season.
- Winter: expect a quiet, snowy shoreline. Treat the ice caves as a lucky bonus, never a plan.
- Combine it: add Duluth and the Great Lakes Aquarium, and plan the drive around the lake with our guide to when to visit the Great Lakes.
For more on the park itself, see our Apostle Islands National Lakeshore listing.
