As of 12:01 a.m. on October 1st, many parts of the federal government, including the National Park Service, entered a shutdown which will continue until Congress passes – and the president signs – legislation extending the funding of federal agencies.

In an effort to serve park visitors, Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is providing periodic informational updates. Please note that available information is limited. It is based largely on first-hand observations in the Lakeshore, unless otherwise noted. Official updates from the National Park Service are available on the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore website.

IS THE LAKESHORE CLOSED?

The National Park website says, “National parks remain as accessible as possible during the federal government shutdown. However, some services may be limited or unavailable.”

Here in the Apostle Islands the Visitor Centers at Park Headquarters in Bayfield and at Little Sand Bay are normally closed for the season now. These closures are not related to the government shutdown.

Outdoor attractions such as the Lakeshore Trail, Little Sand Bay, and Meyers Beach on the mainland and the islands themselves remain open and available to users.

WILL CONSTRUCTION OF THE MEYERS BEACH ACCESSIBLE WALKWAY PROJECT BE DELAYED?

This important project, funded by Friends, our partners and donors, will replace the existing wooden staircase at Meyers Beach with an all-accessible walkway and a new set of stairs with kayak slides. We hope to have the project out for contractor bids by the end of the year.

However, the shutdown could delay that process as National Park Service planners control the next steps. We continue to hope for construction to begin next spring with completion and a ribbon cutting in the fall. However, no progress can be made on this project until the government reopens.

DO I STILL NEED TO PAY FEES?

Unlike many national park units, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore does not charge entrance fees. However, parking fees at Meyers Beach should still be paid using “scan and pay” through recreation.gov. You will find instructions and a QR code in the kiosk on site. Camping permits (required year-around) should still also be purchased through recreation.gov. Note that you should be print your permit directly from Recreation.gov and bring it with you to the campsite.

CAN I GET MY PARK PASSPORT STAMPED?

With the regular seasonal closure of the visitor centers, this service will not be available in the national lakeshore.

WILL THE BATHROOMS BE OPEN AND WILL GARBAGE BE COLLECTED?

With the closure and the regular seasonal staffing changes, visitor services will be extremely limited. While some bathrooms may be open and garbage receptacles on site, maintenance staff may not be available to clean or service these areas. Please plan accordingly and leave no trace. 

WILL EMERGENCY SERVICES SUCH AS SEARCH & RESCUE BE AVAILABLE?

As is often the case this time of year, fewer park boats are still in the water and only limited law enforcement officers are still on duty, providing essential services. Regular emergency contacts can still be used but search & rescue and emergency services could be very limited and delayed. Please practice safe travel and be prepared to be self-sufficient even in emergencies.

WHAT ELSE IS BEING IMPACTED IN OUR PARKS DUE TO THE SHUTDOWN?

While visitors to some park units like the Apostle Islands may not experience substantial direct impacts from the shutdown, many of the things visitors don’t see have halted as well. Park planning, maintenance, research, school programs, staff training, interpretive preparations, search & rescue training, historic artifact cataloging, and more cannot proceed on schedule in the face of the government shutdown. These invisible impacts could have serious long-term consequences to the parks we love.

HOW CAN I HELP?

Visitors to the lakeshore can help by practicing patience and leave-no-trace principles on their journey. Carry out your own garbage. Practice careful trip planning, route-finding, and low impact camping techniques to minimize your potential impact and reduce the likelihood of requiring ranger assistance or emergency services.

Even while not in the park, visitors can help by:

• Keeping informed about the status of national park staffing and funding and expressing your opinions about the importance of parks to elected officials.
• Supporting local businesses. Many are highly dependent upon visitors to our national parks and may be experiencing an economic downturn due to fewer visitors.
• Joining and donating to organizations like Friends of the Apostle Islands to stay informed about ways you can volunteer in the lakeshore once it reopens and supporting important projects and programs of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

NPS Headquarters in Bayfield with fall colors

At Friends, our commitment to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore remains strong. We need your help. Use your voice. If you travel to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, or any national park, be patient, self-sufficient, and safe. There has never been a more important time to support our parks. Let’s all Love Our Lakeshore together.