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National Lakeshore · Wisconsin

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

National Lakeshore in Wisconsin. No entrance fee.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypeNational Lakeshore
StateWisconsin
Entrance feeNo entrance fee
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkIsle Royale (126 mi)
Closest airportDLH (73 mi)
Photograph of Lake Superior sandstone rock stack under a blue sky.
Stockton Island Photo: NPS Photo / Billy Flynn

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a national lakeshore run by the National Park Service in Wisconsin.

In the park service’s words

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, located at the northern tip of Wisconsin's Bayfield Peninsula, features 21 stunning islands, a scenic 12-mile shoreline along Lake Superior, and is located within the ancestral homeland of the Ojibwe people. Established in 1970, the park showcases picturesque sea caves, sandy beaches, and the largest collection of lighthouses in the National Park system.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Open 24 hours, every day. The park is open 24/7 year-round. Visitor centers are open only in summer, with varying hours.

Getting there

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is located in northern Wisconsin along the shores of Lake Superior. The Lakeshore has several entrance points, with much of its area accessible primarily by water.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Duluth International Airport (DLH) Duluth, MN No road route 73 Regional
Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX) Hancock, MI No road route 103 Regional
Range Regional Airport (HIB) Hibbing, MN No road route 106 Regional
Minneapolis, Saint Paul International Airport / Wold, Chamberlain Field (MSP) Minneapolis, MN No road route 189 Large hub

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

  • Bayfield Headquarters: Daily, 9:00AM - 4:30PM. The Bayfield Headquarters Visitor Center is open during the summer and closes for the season in September.
  • Little Sand Bay Visitor Center: Closed. The Little Sand Bay Visitor Center will be closed throughout 2026 due to construction associated with the Little Sand Bay Marina Rehabilitation Project. We appreciate your patience as we work to improve infrastructure and visitor access.

Weather

Lake Superior is renowned for its cold temperatures, rough seas, fog, and sudden squalls. Boaters and paddlers should monitor marine weather forecasts and be constantly alert to changing conditions. Average daytime high temperatures range from 60 degrees Fahrenheit in May, to the upper 80s in mid-summer, to the mid-60s in September. Average lows vary from 40 degrees in May, to the upper 50s in mid-summer, to 50 degrees in September. Average water temperatures in May and June are only in the 40s.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Isle Royale, about 126 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?

No entrance fee.

Where is Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?

In Wisconsin. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Duluth International Airport, about 73 miles away.

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