Sand Island
JOIN USAbout 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 – Click image to enlarge
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:
- Lighthouse: https://www.nps.gov/places/sand-island.htm
- Campsite: https://www.nps.gov/apis/planyourvisit/sand-campsites.htm
- How do I get there? https://www.nps.gov/apis/planyourvisit/commercial-services.htm
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