Bid Farewell to Summer with a Last Minute Trip to the Apostle Islands Lakeshore

Aug 12, 2025

Apostle Islands is a must-visit destination along the Wisconsin National Lakeshore! This chain of Islands in Lake Superior is an integral part of local Native American History, namely that of the Ojibwe people whose main village was on Madeline Island. The Apostle Islands National Lake Shore was also the home of several lighthouse keepers, many of whom were women (more than 60 women held positions of authority at lighthouse stations in the Great Lakes!) And then there are the historic remains of multiple shipwrecks just off the shores, as well as a history of commercial fishing enterprises. But what we love most of all about this area is its remoteness, affording a wonderful chance to just get away from it all and recharge immersed in nature. Whether you enjoy fishing, kayaking, hiking, diving, hunting, boating, camping, or sailing, there’s plenty of things to see and do, and we hope you may even be inspired to try something new! Check out our list today for some suggestions on fun things to do in the Apostle Islands area.

For fishing, you can expect to catch several types of trout as well as salmon as your most common catch: Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Coho or Chinook Salmon. Other fish may include Lake Sturgeon, Smallmouth Bass, Lake Herring, and whitefish. Shore fishing is recommended along Long Island, Basswood, Hermit and Oak Islands.

There are more than 50 maintained miles of trails on the islands, including ones that lead to lighthouses, old farm sites, historic logging camps, beautiful beaches, rustic campsites, stunning scenic overlooks, and even abandoned quarries. Visitors recommend checking out favorite shoreline hiking spots including Julian Bay on Stockton Island, Raspberry Island Sandspit, Little Sand Bay, and Meyers Beach. Other trails include Tombolo Trail, Basswood Island Dock to Brownstone Quarry, and Anderson Point Trail. Beware there are numerous biting insects and flies on the island, so prepare yourself with proper clothing and bug repellent.

Kayaking through the gorgeous crystal clear waters of the Apostle Islands is a dream come true. There are two kayak launches off the mainland section of the park: Meyers Beach and Little Sand Bay Visitor Center. Top recommendations for paddling and kayaking include: Long Lake, Sisikiwi Lake, Chequamegon Bay, and more. There are 21 islands in the area which are easily accessible by kayak or canoe, and of course we’d be remiss if we didn’t recommend paddling past the stunning sea caves. Your best view of the sea caves up close, however, is to charter a boat via Devils Island, Sand Island, and the mainland near the beach. Use caution as kayak/paddling fatalities have occurred in the sea caves area; do not kayak to the area alone; do not paddle to the area if conditions are rough. Make sure you check lake conditions and marine weather forecasts before heading out!

If weather conditions and temperatures permit, you may want to try your hand at scuba diving! There are numerous sandstone sea caves and historic docks around the area, as well as sunken shipwrecks to explore. You’ll need a NPS Diving Permit to enjoy this adventure. Sea caves can be found at Devils Island, Sand Island, Stockton Island, and “The Wall”. Shipwrecks include the Lucerne, Nocquebay, Sevona, and Pretoria.

Hunting and trapping with a valid WI state license/permit is also popular, but this requires boat transportation and will not be permitted from May 15th through Labor Day as that’s the high tourist season. Deer Hunting and Bear Hunting and Turkey Hunting are allowed. Check rules and regulations for specifics.

Camping is available on 18 of the lakeshore’s 21 islands along with 1 mainland site. There are NO drive-up car, tent, or RV campsites available; you’ll need to kayak, use a motor boat, sail boat, or water taxi service to reach the campsites. Reservations are required ahead of time and fees do apply. Camping options for more traditional drive-up camping nearby include areas such as Bayfield, Red Cliff, Cornucopia, Washburn, Ashland, Madeleine Island, and Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.