Visitor Center Articles

Visitor Center locations in the park.

Park Headquarters – Mainland

Park Headquarters – Mainland

About this LocationThe main visitor center and headquarters for the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is located at 415 Washington Avenue in Bayfield. The historic building, built in 1884 features brownstone harvested from local quarries. It served as Bayfield County Courthouse until 1892 when Washburn became the county seat. The building served at various times as a school, as a community center and even a prisoner of war camp during World War II.The National Park Service started leasing the building in 1976. You can get information about the park, as well as camping permits. You can also...

Little Sand Bay – Mainland

Little Sand Bay – Mainland

About this LocationLittle Sand Bay is part of the mainland unit of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, 13 miles west of Bayfield. It is the gateway to nearby Sand Island along the park’s western boundary and is within the Red Cliff Reservation. You’ll find interactive exhibits outside of the seasonal visitor center, which offers orientation and information, camping permits, kayak safety guidance, and the America's National Parks bookstore. Camping is available nearby.The historic Hokenson Brothers fishing dock and facilities are currently being restored. If you’re planning a visit to the...

Stockton Island

Stockton Island

About the IslandStockton is the second largest island (after Madeline) in the Apostles. It is about 7.25 miles long and 2 to 2.5 miles wide. Its terrain includes a sandy lake level lagoon and bog along the tombolo. There is also sandstone on the island, producing sea caves and majestic rock ledges and towers.Throughout the 1990s and the first decade in the new millennium, Stockton Island was known as the island with the highest density of black bears. With 14.5 miles of trails, Stockton provides hiking opportunities through the most diverse ecological backgrops in the national lakeshore....