For the first time in more than a decade, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is expected to open the ice caves near Meyers Beach to public viewing on Monday, February 16, 2026. The ice caves will remain open only as long as the National  Park Service deems conditions safe. View information you can use to plan your trip on the National Park Service website.

The Park Service says, “The ice caves remain closed until Feb. 16. The Meyers Beach parking lot is currently closed to vehicle traffic and parking. Wisconsin DOT has prohibited parking on Hwy 13. Beginning Feb 16, visitor access is via county-run shuttles…No on-site parking is available at Meyers Beach—visitors must shuttle from off-site locations to the trailhead. A $5 per  person/day fee (ages 16+; under 16 free) must be paid online. Additional fees apply for off-site parking and shuttles. Parking and shuttle fees are separate from the NPS Ice Caves event fee and are not charged by the National Park Service.

Conditions can change quickly. Closures may happen anytime for safety. Always check official updates before you travel: go.nps.gov/IceCaves, call the ice line at (715) 779-3398 x3, or visit facebook.com/apostleislandsnps“

NPS infographics

If you visit the mainland ice caves Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore invites you to share your photographs on our Facebook page. Enjoy the spectacular ice formations and stay safe.

BAYFIELD, Wis. – (NPS News Release) Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is expected to open the ice caves near Meyers Beach for visitation beginning on Feb. 16, 2026, if current ice conditions remain stable. This rare winter event occurs only when conditions meet minimum safety thresholds. The last time conditions allowed access was in 2015.

Park officials stress that public safety is the highest priority and conditions can change rapidly. Visitor access may close with little notice if conditions deteriorate.

“Few places offer an experience like the Apostle Islands ice caves,” said BriAnna Weldon, superintendent. “The ice caves are a rare and remarkable winter phenomenon. We know visitors are excited about the possibility of exploring the ice caves. Safety is our top priority, and conditions can change quickly on Lake Superior. Please check official sources before traveling.”

For Official Updates

Website: https://go.nps.gov/IceCaves
Ice Line: (715) 779-3398 x3
Official Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/apostleislandsnps
About the Apostle Islands Ice Caves

In winter, when conditions allow, visitors can hike across the frozen lake to see dramatic ice formations created by waves and freezing water. Access is rare and depends on sustained cold temperatures, calm winds, and stable ice.

Where are the ice caves?

The ice caves form along the mainland cliffs of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore near Meyers Beach, on the south shore of Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin. These caves are part of the park’s mainland unit, not on the islands themselves. Visitors access the ice caves by hiking across the frozen surface of Lake Superior from the Meyers Beach trailhead. The Meyers Beach trailhead is located at GPS coordinates 46.8834, -91.0484. There is no parking available at this location. Visitors must use off-site parking lots and county-managed shuttles provided by Bay Area Rural Transit to reach the trailhead at Meyers Beach.

Distances to nearby cities:

Cornucopia, WI: ~4 miles southwest
Bayfield, WI: ~18 miles east
Ashland, WI: ~38 miles southeast
Duluth, MN: ~90 miles west
Minneapolis, MN: ~230 miles southwest
Parking and shuttles

There is no parking at Meyers Beach or on nearby Hwy 13. Visitors must use county-managed shuttles (Bay Area Rural Transit) and off-site parking lots. Vehicles parked on closed roads may be towed.

Shuttle service: $5 each way ($10 round trip), cash only. Shuttles will run approximately every 25–35 minutes, but traffic conditions may cause delays.
Parking and shuttle fees are separate from the NPS Ice Caves event fee and are not charged by the National Park Service.

Cornucopia parking lots (4 miles southwest of Meyers Beach):

Bell Town Hall Parking Lot (GPS: 46.85267, -91.10198)
Cornucopia Beach Parking Lot (GPS: 46.85875, -91.09975)
Sand River Gravel Pit lot (6 miles east of Meyers Beach):

30675 State Highway 13, Bayfield, WI 54814 (GPS: 46.89324, -90.93237)
What to bring

Dress for harsh winter conditions
Warm, waterproof boots with traction devices
Warm layers and windproof outerwear
Trekking poles for stability
Water and snacks
Fees

Ice Caves Event Fee: $5 per person/day (ages 16+; under 16 free). Visitors are encouraged to pay online before visiting: https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/1442411180
Shuttle Service Fee: $5 each way ($10 round trip), cash only. Charged by Bay Area Rural Transit.
Cornucopia Parking Fees: Separate fee payable on site by QR code (electronic payment only). Not charged by the National Park Service.
Sand River Gravel Pit Parking Fee: Separate fee, cash only, payable on site. Not charged by the National Park Service.
Fees are established to recover costs associated with providing visitor services and managing safety operations required for this event in a remote area.

Facilities

There is no shelter, water, concessions or garbage cans at the caves or Meyers Beach. Visitors must pack out all trash. Porta-potties are available only at the Meyers Beach trailhead.

Other visitor information

Dogs: Allowed on a leash (6 ft max), but not recommended due to harsh conditions
Tours: No authorized tours; visiting the ice caves is self-guided
How to stay safe

Dress for harsh winter conditions
Avoid standing under hanging ice
Watch for cracks and pressure ridges
Do not crawl into small openings