Busy season: Summer gears up in the Apostle Islands

paddlers on shore at sunset - Jeff Rennicke photo

May 7, 2026

Summer is gearing up in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. It is going to be a busy season. Here is a rundown of important things to know to make the most of your island adventures.

BAYFIELD HEADQUARTERS AND VISITOR CENTER
The main Visitor Center located in Bayfield will be open for the season beginning May 15th. Park staff will be available daily to provide information, issue camping permits, and sell interagency passes. The bookstore will also be open.

ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS
Due to a recent executive order, park fees will be moving to electronic forms of payment. Due to connectivity challenges, the park will be phasing in this required change. This season, Meyers Beach parking fees must be paid electronically.

Parkling fee station sign with QR code - Neil Howk photo

Meyers Beach Parking fee station sign with QR code – Neil Howk photo

Little Sand Bay Visitor Center at night

LITTLE SAND BAY
Work to repair and prevent storm damage to infrastructure in the area of the marina at LSB will mean major changes for your visit this summer. The Visitor Center will be closed this summer although kayakers will still be able to launch. Expect construction activities and potential noise.

MEYERS BEACH
Our access pathway project will upgrade the existing staircase to include a universally designed path improving access to the beach and the kayak launch. Made possible by the Friends of the Apostle Islands and your generosity, construction will begin in July and run through October 2026. Expect limited impacts to visitor parking and beach access. The lawn and picnic area will be closed during construction. Again this year, park staff will be onsite from May through mid-September providing visitor safety, orientation and basic information.

Meyers Beach pathway infographic - NPS

Meyers Beach pathway infographic – NPS

Sand Island boardwalk through the woods - Neil Howk photo

Sand Island boardwalk through the woods – Neil Howk photo

SAND ISLAND
Work will continue on the 2.2 mile Sand Island Boardwalk from May through August although the trail to the Lighthouse will remain open. Stabilization work at the Hanson Farm will mean the area will be inaccessible at times.

MICHIGAN ISLAND
Michigan Island will not be staffed with volunteers this summer. Park staff will be providing guided tours for visitors on scheduled trips through Apostle Islands Cruises on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays June 20-September 2nd.

RASPBERRY ISLAND
Apostle Islands Cruises will be offering trips to the Raspberry Island Lighthouse on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from June 20 to September 2nd. Tours will be led by a ranger.

MANITOU ISLAND FISHERY TOURS
Apostle Islands Cruises will be offering trips to the Manitou Island Fish Camp on Wednesdays from June 20th to September 2nd. Tours will be led by a Park Ranger with volunteers on site daily to greet other visitors.

Wave Watch buoy splashes into the water

Wave Watch buoy splashes into the water

WAVE WATCH
Thanks to the National Park Service, the University of Wisconsin, and Friends of the Apostle Islands, the Wave Watch buoys will back in the water by mid-May. This free boater safety program offers boaters real-time wave data including height, period, direction, and water temperature every 30 minutes, 24-hours a day, for five strategic locations in the islands all just by scanning a QR code. Get your Wave Watch QR code sticker here.

MORE INFORMATION
As always, be sure to check the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore website for the latest updates and safety information and visit the Friends of the Apostle Islands website to support the ongoing efforts to protect and improve the islands you love.

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