Ironwood Island

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

About the Island

Ironwood Island is centrally located among the islands in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Ironwood is nearly round in shape and about 1 mile in diameter, measuring about 659 acres in area. About 10 feet above the sandpit is a flat area that probably served as the base for logging activity.

Now the island has a mixture of hardwoods and conifers, but it may have derived its name from the hard ironwood trees  constituting part of the original forest. Excerpt 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

The moon and a single cloud are visible over the Ironwood Island sandspit, viewed from the water

Moon over Ironwood Island. Click image to enlarge. – Photo: Jeff Rennicke

Ironwood Island – Gaa-maananoonsikaag-minis

Location:  47.0002° N, 90.6155° W

Features: 

  • Sandspit on southwestern end
  • 1 campsite with tent pad, fire ring, food locker and stump privy
  • Primitive camping
  • No hiking trails
  • No dock
  • Sandspit offers partially protected anchorage

NPS Ironwood Island Information:

Where would you like to go next?

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