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Apostle Islands National Park & Madeline Island

apostle islands national park

The ferry trip from Bayfield to Madeline Island provides a nice view of
some of the Apostle Islands and the surrounding sea, a favorite sailing area.


 

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a scenic archipelago of 22 islands surrounding the northern tip of Wisconsin's Bayfield Peninsula. The islands were long home to native peoples; the Objiwe trace their history back to the 1400s. The islands also occupy an important place in the early European settlement and exploration of the upper midwest by French voyageurs, fur traders, and missionaries.

bayfield sea caves
The Sea Caves of the Apostle Islands National Park are a major attraction.

Apostle Islands Video to see the
Devil's Island Sea Caves

devils island sea caves

Visiting Madeline Island

Madeline Island, the most southern and largest island of the Apostles, is the only year-round inhabited island. Yet several of the other islands have docks, rustic campgrounds, hiking trails and seasonal visitor attractions, including lighthouses. Cruise services in Bayfield and in Cornucopia offered regular tours of the Islands, custom tours, and shuttle services for people who want to camp on any of the islands.

madeline island of the apostle islands
View of Madeline Island from Bayfield, Wisconsin

Visiting the Apostle Islands National Park

Take a Cruise Around the Apostles Islands

Raspberry Island Lighthouse

 

One of the easiest ways to see the Apostles is through one of the many cruises offered by the Apostle Islands Cruise Service.

Apostle Islands Cruises we've taken:


Apostle Islands Visitor Center - Bayfield

bayfield apostle islands visitor center

The old county courthouse in Bayfield houses the main Apostle Island National Lakeshore Visitor Center. Here one can view audiovisual programs, exhibits, and obtain information on touring and recreational opportunities.

There's also a smaller visitor center at Little Sand Bay (see pictures and information below)

arrowLinks to more information on visiting the Apostle Islands

devils island sea caves


arrowSee a VIDEO of Devil's Island Sea Caves


Little Sand Bay Apostle Islands Visitor CenterLittle Sand Bay - Apostle Island National Lakeshore

Northeast of Bayfield via Hwy 13 and Cty K is an Apostle Island Visitor Facility with a Ranger Station/Visitor Center, a public boat launch, an "Industrial Strength" dock and breakwater, a swimming beach and picnic area, a campground, and a fishery exhibit.

sand bay apostle islands visitor center

sand bay apostle islands visitor centerThe Ranger Station/Visitor Center looks out over Little Sand Bay.

Inside is a bookstore, a small museum and an mini-theatre showing tapes on the Islands. > > >

For mainland camping information: see our Bayfield Area Campground Page

The Little Sand Bay Recreation Area's grounds, parking areas, washrooms, and waterfront facilities are well maintained - kudos to the Park Service.Apostle Islands - Little Sand Bay


There's a nice sand beach and a waterfront picnic area. Good for swimming and a favorite with kayakers. > > >

sand bay marina

The "industrial strength" dock and seawall protects boats and ships from the occasional rages of Gitchee Gummi.

fishery museum sand bayMuseum Tour

Just west of the visitor center is the Hokenson Brothers Fishery Museum. The Park Service has preserved the buildings, tools, and craft used by the brothers in their fishery operation. Tours are conducted by the Park Service staff.

fishery museum sand bay

 

Their fishing tug, the "Twilite" remains in dry dock for viewing.

Winter Activities

John Thiel Sled Dog Racer
Apostle Islands Dog Sled Race has competitors of all ages and is a fun wintertime family event both for participants and their families and spectators.

town square - Madeline Island

Once the Ice Road freezes up it makes it easy to
visit Madeline Island in the winter

Bayfield apostle islands sea and ice caves

 

Hiking, skiing, or snowshoeing out to see the Bayfield Apostle Islands Park Ice Caves is the most popular winter event in the area.

Madeline Island FerryVisiting Madeline Island

As soon as the ice is out, the Madeline Island Ferry begins running 4 times a day from Bayfield to the village of La Pointe. After May 7th, its schedule increases to 11 daily trips, in June and July even more frequent.

Grandpa Tony's

 

arrowVisiting Madeline Island - see our photos and visitor articles on things to see and do on Madeline Island.

 

Visiting Bayfield Wisconsin

red arrowPopular Bayfield Events & Visitor Attractions.

red arrowCampground Listings - Bayfield Area.

red arrowBayfield Apple Festival.

red arrowBayfield Pictures & Scenes.

red arrowBayfield & Ashland Fall Color Scenic Drives.

Bayfield, WI Chamber and Visitors Bureau



The Bayfield Chamber & Visitors Bureau office is conveniently located downtown on Manypenny Avenue. They are the prime sponsor of AppleFest and are an essential stop for the Bayfield visitor to get useful advice, maps, brochures, and information on enjoying the Bayfield area.

 


 

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Joanne's Scandinavian Christmas

Bayfield Holiday Events & Activities

santa visit
Duluth Holiday Events and Fun.

gooseberry falls park
Winter - Michigan UP
Winter - Wisconsin Winter - Minnesota
Winter - Sault Ste Marie.



Grandpa Tony's madeline island and Most popular Madeline Island AttractionsSee our guide to interesting and fun things to see and do on Madeline Island.

Bayfield Apostle Islands Sea Caves
See photos from our recent Apostle Islands
Sea Caves
cruise.

sea caves apostle islands national lakeshore
Apostle Islands Sea Caves Hiking Trail is about a 3.5 mile round trip from Meyers Beach to the Bayfield Sea Caves

Shovel Point

Lake Superior Travel Directories

Minnesota Travel
Wisconsin Travel
Upper Peninsula
Ontario Travel


town square - Madeline Island
Visiting Madeline Island in Winter

Grandpa Tony's madeline island
Things to see and do on Madeline Island

Island Princess, Apostle Island Cruise Service
Apostle Islands National Park Cruises.

Raspberry Island LighthouseApostle Islands Raspberry Island Lighthouse Cruise & Tour.

Hauser's Orchards
Orchard Touring
Take a scenic drive of
farms and orchards in the Bayfield area.

Little Manitou Falls
Wisconsin Waterfalls

red bar
hotel planner
Hotel, Motel Lodging
Ashland, Superior, Ironwood, Wisconsin South Shore

red bar


lake superior road map of the circle tour
Lake Superior Circle Tour Road Map & Guide to Travel Attractions around Lake Superior.


bentleyville tour of lights
Duluth's amazing Bentleyville Duluth Christmas Lights Village.

How to recognize Lake Superior Agates and Beach Rocks.Lake Superior Agate?

Best Wisconsin Lake Superior Agate Beaches

saxon harbor beach

Devil's Island Lighthouse Apostle Islands
See the lighthouses on an Apostle Islands Cruise.

copper falls, copper falls state park
Copper Falls State Park
is near Mellen, Wisconsin.

Enjoying the great swimming Beach Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island.
Madeline Island Big  Bay Park


ashland wisconsin murals
Ashland Mural Walk is an interesting attraction in nearby Ashland, Wisconsin

 

 

Golf Courses Around Lake Superior
See our
Reviews of Best Wisconsin golf courses on Lake Superior.

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