Otter Island

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

About the Island

The clearing around the dock area provides the easiest access to the island and probably served as a fish camp in earlier days. The island was last logged for hardwoods in the late 1950s. Shortly after the last logging, in 1960, the island served as a temporary home for about fifteen hundred Boy Scouts who held a Jamboree.

The sandspit and dock area offer the best and perhaps the only location for landing a kayak or larger boat, although the island map shows a possible calm weather rock shelf landing. The only designated campsite on the island is located at the sandspit on the southeastern corner of 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

A trail sign marks the start of the north-south trail that cuts through the woods on Otter Island

Otter Island hiking trail. Click image to enlarge. – Photo: NPS

Otter Island – Anweshin-nigig-minis

Location:  46.9929° N, 90.7008° W

Features: 

  • 1,333 acres
  • 1 individual campsite
  • Primitive camping
  • Dock
  • Trail runs through the island to a small rock ledge on the north side
  • 14 miles from Bayfield
  • 14 miles from Little Sand Bay

NPS Otter Island Information:

Where would you like to go next?

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Cat Island - Camping

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Hermit Island - Camping

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