Apostle Islands - Northern Wisconsin
There are 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland in the chain. There are 18 campsites dotted across the islands for your enjoyment. Along with camping there are wonderful opportunities to sail or take your boat out.
There are public docks on 13 of the islands in the national lakeshore. These are located at Ashland, Bayfield, Cornucopia, Little Sand Bay, Red Cliff, and Washburn. The cost is $5 per launch in Bayfield and Little Sandy Bay, Marinas are in Ashland, Bayfield, Cornucopia LaPointe, Pike’s Bay, Port Superior, Red Cliff, Roys Point, Schooner Bay and Washburn.
If you are a person that loves to kayak you can enjoy these beautiful islands using their two free launch points which are located at Meyers Beach and just west at Little Sand Bay.
Did you think you would have to go to the Caribbean to do good scuba diving? Not so, you can obtain a free dive permit to dive within national lakeshore boundaries. You can get them from Park Headquarters or Little Sand Bay visitor centers.
Now, if you are into fishing there isn’t anyplace that is much better to enjoy the sport than in Wisconsin and the Great Lakes with their trout and salmon. Summer fishing takes place in deep water with lake trout being the most commonly targeted fish.
Hunting is also allowed in the national lakeshore. Hunting activity may occur from September (after Labor Day) through December. There is muzzle loader deer hunting (by permit only (on several islands during the month of October. You will need a permit which is given out a lottery basis between June 15 and July 15.
Of course the parkland is covered with wonderful wild berries, fruit and nuts which you are welcome to gather for personal use. Rocks, wildflowers and driftwood are not allowed to be collected.
The Apostle Islands archipelago’s sandstones are what were shipped from quarries at the end of the 19th century to Midwestern cities such as Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland, Minneapolis and St. Paul and used to build some of these cities most outstanding landmarks.
The islands were home to the Ojibwe Indian tribe. They found all they needed to survive among the islands from the fish to the game and wild rice. In late winter they would tap the maple trees for their sap which was boiled into sugar. When the blossoms began to show, plants such as leeks, March marigold, and fiddleheads were used for food. Wintergreen, Labrador tea, and sweet flag were some plants used for medicine. The bark from the white birch was used to make wigwams, storage containers, and canoes. Of course there were strawberries, raspberries and blueberries in the summertime for their enjoyment. They respected the land and took care of it. It is their wish that people today would learn the lessons of caring for the land rather than abusing it for selfish purposes.
The largest and finest single collection of lighthouses in the country are located within the boundaries of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
There is: Old Michigan Island Lighthouse which was built in 1856, abandoned in 1858, relit in 1869 and retired in 1929. There are guided tours available. The building is made of rough stone and its exterior walls stuccoed and whitewashed. There was a small; one and a half story keeper’s dwelling with a low, conical light tower. The tower received extensive improvements between 1928 and 1929 with a brick building being constructed to house an electric generator, radio fog beacon, and a hoist engine for a tramway; a new keeper’s dwelling was added; and the relocated tower (obtained from Pennsylvania’s Delaware River) was finally assembled at 112 feet in height. It became the tallest lighthouse in Wisconsin.
Due to conditions to reach the Light Station only the most experienced private boaters and sea kayakers should consider attempting a trip to this lighthouse. It is best if you take Apostle Islands Cruise Service which will visit Michigan Island via Stockton. The Stockton Island afternoon cruise departs daily at noon and returns to Bayfield at 5 pm. Private boaters planning to visit may want to consider visiting outside the tour boat visiting hours. Volunteers are usually available for tours between the hours of 9 and 11 and 1 and 4.
Old LaPointe Lighthouse is on Long Island. It was built in 1858 and retired in 1897. It served as a housing unit until abandoned in 1940. All that remains are foundation ruins. If you plan to visit this lighthouse you should use caution due to shallow waters around the island. Distant views of the Chequamegon Point and New LaPointe towers can be seen from locations on Madeline Island and along State Highway 13 on the mainland. The lighthouses on Long Island are not open to the public, but may be viewed from outside.
Raspberry Island Lighthouse was built in 1862 with the light being moved outside in 1957. Guided tours are available. During the summer season, Apostle Islands Cruise Service tour boats stop at the island and rangers conduct tours of the tower from 9 am to 4 pm. This is a great destination for skilled sea kayakers and private boaters who like the challenge of Lake Superior!
Outer Island Lighthouse was built in 1874, automated in 1961. Due to the bank stabilization project currently in progress access to Outer Island will be impossible for extended periods. Please call 715-779-3398, ext. 6 before planning your visit.
Sand Island Lighthouse was built in 1991 and automated in 1921. The light was moved to a steel tower c. 1933 and moved back to the lighthouse in 1985. The lighthouse is still in service. There are tours available. Since it is close to the mainland Sand Island is popular for intermediate-level sea kayakers and private boaters. There is no dock at the lighthouse but nearby rock ledges and beaches may provide access in favorable weather conditions. During the summer season, rangers provide tours usually during the hours of 12 noon and 4 pm.
Devils Island Light Tower was built in 1898, external braces added in 1914, automated in 1978, lens removed in 1989 and replaced in 1992. The lighthouse is still in service. The island is relatively remote but accessible for boaters and sea kayakers. There are several landing sites which make it accessible in a variety of wind conditions. Visitors to reach the island will find the lighthouse staffed with a volunteer lightkeeper during the summer season; tours of the tower are usually available between 9 am – 11 am and 1 pm & 4 pm.
New LaPointe Light Tower, Long Island was built in 1897 and automated in 1964. it is not open to the public but is still in service.
Chequamegon Point Light Tower, Long Island was built in 1897, retired and moved in 1987 and not open to the public.
New Michigan Island Light Tower was built in Pennsylavania in 1880, dismantled in 1918 and re-erected on Michigan Island in 1929 and automated in 1943. Still being used there are tours available.
Location: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Headquarters: 415 Washington Ave., Bayfield, Wisconsin 54814
Phone: 715-779-3397
Open: Year Around
Visitor Centers: Bayfield, open end of May to early September from 8 am to 6 pm and September to May from 8 – 4:30
Phone: 715-779-3397
Location: in the old Bayfield County courthouse on Washington Ave. between 4 & 5th Streets in Bayfield.
Closed on federal holidays, except Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.
Little Sand Bay Visitor Center: Phone: 715-779-7007
Located on Little Sand Bay Road, 13 miles north of Bayfield, Wisconsin
Devils, Michigan, and Sand Island Lighthouses are on islands and accessible by boat only
Stockton Island Visitor Center
Location: Presque Isle, Stockton Island. This one is staffed intermittently but there are restrooms available. (at all the visitor centers.)
To get the cruise line to take you on your tour:
Apostle Islands Cruise Service
PO Box 691, Bayfield, Wisconsin 54814
Phone: 715-779-3925
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