News-Advisories Articles

Discover the Park – Park Info

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

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

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

(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

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

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

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

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...

Park Service provides FAQs about visiting the Apostle Islands

Park Service provides FAQs about visiting the Apostle Islands

(National Park Service) To protect public health and safety, all visitors to the park are encouraged to: Stay home if sick and/or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms- Bayfield County has no hospital and limited emergency services. If an island or dock is crowded, choose an uncrowded destination to visit.  Stay 6 feet back from all other boaters and park visitors in all locations. Maintaining safe distances in areas will result in the ability of popular areas to stay open. Wear a mask when other people are present in centralized areas including docks, restrooms, staircases, and trails. Please use...

Winter storms damage docks in Apostle Islands

Winter storms damage docks in Apostle Islands

Bayfield, Wisconsin (National Park Service) – Two docks and a vault toilet in Apostle Islands National Lakeshore were damaged by winter storms.The Michigan Island and Manitou Island docks will remain closed until work crews can fully assess and repair damages to these docks. Island access is still possible along the shorelines when weather permits. The York Island vault toilet is buried by sand and debris and will remain closed until it can be excavated. Beaches on York remain open for day use.“Every year the winter storms take their toll on docks, buildings, and trees on all of the islands....

Welcoming Lynne Dominy, new Superintendent

Welcoming Lynne Dominy, new Superintendent

She hails from Acadia National Park in Maine, but by way of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Point Reyes National Seashore, Bandelier National Monument and Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument where she was the Acting Superintendent. Most recently she has been Chief of Interpretation and Education. Lynne is particularly interested in fostering collaboration. She met with our board on her first visit here in February – we had two snowstorms that week. She, nevertheless, remained enthusiastic about returning the end of March to begin work and call this lake...