Apostle Island National Lakeshore - Superior Island Wilderness

The Apostle Islands are 20+ islands along the south shore of Lake Superior, just off Bayfield, Wisconsin. The largest, Madeline Island, is a well know 'Martha’s Vineyard of the North' type place. But the other islands are primitive hiking and camping only, with no roads or houses. Stockton Island, the largest, is roughly 8 x 10 miles, covered with dense forest, and has the highest population of black bears per square mile of anywhere in the lower 48.

There are miles of trails in various types of habitats, along the shore and in deep woods. Very few people midweek, even in midsummer.

When we were there in early July when the weather was hot, the surface water was blown in and we could swim and body surf on the sandy beaches of the island - amazing, considering that the lake only warms into the 30's on average in midsummer. Campsites are just a few feet from the beach. A great place to see migratory birds!

You can reach the islands by your own boat (must be seaworthy - Superior is known for very intense, sudden storms) or by ferry service from Bayfield, daily service to Stockton and some of the other smaller islands.

Check our more details on the website www.nps.gov/apis