Sand Island

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Green islands on blue water with Sand Island called out in orange

About the Island

Sand Island is the most westerly usable island in the National Lakeshore. The southwest corner of Sand Island is a bit over 2 miles northwest of the mainland launch site of Little Sand Bay. The Sand Island Lighthouse is perhaps the most beautiful in the Apostles. The keeper’s house and the tower for the light were built in 1881 using local sandstone.

The population of Sand Island, mostly Norwegian immigrant farmers and fishermen, reached one hundred permanent residents in 1918. The Sand Island shoreline has it all – rock shelves, sea caves and long beaches. There are more than three miles of trails on the island. Excerpts from Apostle Islands Water Trips by John C. Frank. Buy a copy here.

Proceeds benefit Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and the park.

Fast Facts

NPS map showing the island outline and features

NPS Map – Click image to enlarge

Sand Island Lighthouse with sunrise showing over Lake Superior

Sand Island sunrise. Click image to enlarge. – Photo: Jon Okerstrom

Sand Island – Waabaabikaa-minis

Location:  46.9791° N, 90.9485° W

Features: 

  • 1 lighthouse, built in 1881
  • Public dock in East Bay
  • 6 individual campsites
  • 3 group campsites – some with wooden accessible platforms
  • Boardwalk between lighthouse and East Bay under construction
  • Historic structures and artifacts

NPS Sand Island Information:

 

Where would you like to go next?

Basswood Island

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Bear Island

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Cat Island

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Devils Island

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Eagle Island

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Gull Island

Gull Island

Hermit Island

Hermit Island

Ironwood Island

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Little Sand Bay – Mainland

Little Sand Bay – Mainland

Long Island

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Manitou Island

Manitou Island

Meyers Beach – Mainland

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Basswood Island - Accessible features, camping, dock, hiking, popular

Bear Island - Camping

Cat Island - Camping

Devils Island - Camping, dock, hiking, lighthouse, popular

Eagle Island - No amenities

Gull Island - No amenities

Hermit Island - Camping

Ironwood Island - Camping

Little Sand Bay: Mainland - Accessible features, dock, mainland, popular, visitor center

Long Island - Dock, hiking, lighthouse

Manitou Island - Camping, dock, hiking

Meyers Beach: Mainland - Camping, hiking, mainland, popular

Michigan Island - Accessible features, camping, dock, hiking, lighthouse, popular

North Twin Island - Camping

Oak Island - Camping, dock, hiking, popular

Otter Island - Camping, dock, hiking

Outer Island - Camping, dock, hiking, lighthouse

Park Headquarters: Mainland - Accessible features, mainland, popular, visitor center

Raspberry Island - Dock, hiking, lighthouse, popular

Rocky Island - Camping, dock, hiking

Sand Island - Accessible features, camping, dock, hiking, lighthouse, popular

South Twin Island - Camping, dock, hiking

Stockton Island - Accessible features, camping, dock, hiking, popular, visitor center

York Island - Camping