Trail Conditions Articles

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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...

New National Park Service app features Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

New National Park Service app features Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Curious about the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and more than 400 other national parks? The National Park Service just launched an app that includes an interactive map and current information about the park we love. The app is called “National Park Service.” You can find it in iOS and Android app stores. According to the app description, ” The app was created by National Park Service staff—people who know national parks—to help you make the most of your visit. With all of these parks and a brand new app, it will take some time to finish creating content for each park. If you don’t find...

Apostle Islands ice caves remain closed

Apostle Islands ice caves remain closed

BAYFIELD, WISCONSIN (National Park Service) – Public access to the mainland ice caves in Apostle Islands National Lakeshore remain closed due to unstable ice conditions. As recently as February 4, there was open water at the caves, and ice cover on Lake Superior was at record lows. In spite of the recent cold temperatures, most of Lake Superior remains open water and the ice that has formed near the caves is unstable, jagged, and rough, creating high risk conditions. “Ice at the caves is so unstable and jagged that it will not allow safe access by rescue teams using snowmobiles," said Chief...

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...