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Discover the Park – Park Info

Government shutdown: what’s happening in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Government shutdown: what’s happening in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Oct 18, 2025 |

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...

What you can expect on your next Apostle Islands National Lakeshore adventure

What you can expect on your next Apostle Islands National Lakeshore adventure

Jun 13, 2025 |

We're getting lots of questions about what to expect when you visit the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore this summer, especially during this time of signficant change in the federal government, which includes the National Park Service. Generallly speaking, Lakeshore facilities are open and available as they have been in prior years, although there are changes in how you pay fees in some locations, and some construction projects in the park may affect speciic locations.Lakeshore Headquarters in BayfieldThe Secretary of the Department of Interior has ordered National Parks to remain open and...

Bear encounters in the Apostle Islands: safety tips to help campers and visitors minimize the risk

Bear encounters in the Apostle Islands: safety tips to help campers and visitors minimize the risk

Sep 5, 2024 | , , , , ,

When visiting the Apostle Islands, it's important to understand that these islands are wild places and to be bear aware. Oak and Outer Islands are currently closed to camping and day-use because bears have been escalating their encounters with humans and have caused property damage. The current National Park Service advisory (as of September 5, 2024) says,"These closures are necessary to ensure visitor safety and bear well-being." As background, the park service adds, "Black bears are an important component of the native wildlife community within Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, and park...

Abnormally dry conditions in the Apostle Islands prompt cautions about fire and potential bear encounters

Abnormally dry conditions in the Apostle Islands prompt cautions about fire and potential bear encounters

Jun 20, 2023 |

As drought-like conditions continue in much of northern Wisconsin, users of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore are urged to be very careful with fire and to be vigilent about potential interactions with hungry black bears. As of June 21st, the Wisconsin DNR says the fire danger in Bayfield, Douglas and Ashland Counties is high, meaning "wildfires ignite easily, spread rapidly and can be challenging to control." The number of northern Wisconsin counties classified as "high danger" increased dramatically from June 20th. As the DNR graphic below also shows, the fire danger in the blue...

Park improvements offer new camping options, force temporary closures of Park Headquarters and Quarry Bay dock

Park improvements offer new camping options, force temporary closures of Park Headquarters and Quarry Bay dock

Jun 19, 2023 |

Two big projects designed to improve safety and services at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore are forcing temporary closures. Two more recently completed projects are ready for you to enjoy.First, the City of Bayfield is completing improvements to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore headquarters in Bayfield. The National Park Service leases this facility from the city. While the repairs and improvements are being completed, National Park Service rangers will be available from 9:30am to 4:15pm Friday through Tuesdays at the Bayfield Chamber & Visitor Bureau located at 42 South...

Celebrate National Park Week through April 24th

Celebrate National Park Week through April 24th

Apr 17, 2022 | , ,

(National Park Service News Release) National Park Week, April 16 through 24, encourages everyone to discover something new about their national parks. With more than 400 national parks hosting a mix of special programs, activities, and digital experiences, the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation invite all to explore and enjoy national parks during this annual event. The week begins on April 16 with free entrance to every national park. “Since Yellowstone National Park was established 150 years ago, over 400 extraordinary places have been added to the National Park...

Tree blowdown on Oak Island temporarily closes trail sections

Tree blowdown on Oak Island temporarily closes trail sections

Apr 19, 2021 | , , ,

Bayfield, WI (National Park Service) – The southeastern part of Oak Island was heavily impacted by a severe storm that created a dense tree blowdown, blocking access to multiple trail sections.  The following sections of trail are temporarily closed:   The Sandspit Trail (between the dock and sandspit)  The Loop Trail for 1 mile traveling north from sandspit  Note – currently the sandspit is accessible by water only, not by trail and it is not possible to walk the entire Loop Trail  “The trail crew will be working on clearing the downed trees, but with this much blowdown reopening these...

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore reopens island camping for summer 2021

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore reopens island camping for summer 2021

Apr 1, 2021 | , , , ,

Bayfield, WI – (National Park Service) Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health authorities, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is reopening access to island camping, including group, individual, and primitive zone camping today.   To protect the health of those who work and visit national parks, face masks are required on NPS-administered lands where physical distancing cannot be maintained and in all NPS facilities. With the support of public health professionals, park operations will be regularly evaluated and adjusted...

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore reopens storm-damaged docks

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore reopens storm-damaged docks

Jun 16, 2020 | , , ,

Bayfield, WI (National Park Service News Release) – The National Park Service (NPS) is pleased to announce that the Michigan and Manitou Islands docks have been repaired and reopened.  Winter storms damaged these docks, causing safety hazards and the need for temporary closures.  “The Michigan dock gets damaged every year because of its open lake exposure to all storms. When you consider the purpose of lighthouses, it is easy to understand that building a dock by them makes those docks subject to big storms,” said park superintendent Lynne Dominy. “Our innovative and skilled maintenance team...

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore increases recreational access

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore increases recreational access

Jun 8, 2020 |

Bayfield, Wisconsin (National Park Service News Release) – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is expanding recreational access for self-contained boaters to include overnight use of most park docks. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. As staff are being onboarded and...

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