Mainland Sea Caves 2008

Please call the Ice Line at (715) 779-3397 extension 3 for the most current information on access to the Mainland Sea Caves.

Some things to think about before you head out on the ice:

Travel on Lake Superior can be dangerous any time of the year. Traveling across the ice demands extra attention to personal safety. Because of the unpredictability of lake ice, traveling across it is never completely safe. Before heading out, visitors must understand all of the risks involved with and the physical demands required for hiking out to the caves.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore staff checks the ice and monitors the weather to determine when the Mawikwe Caves are accessible. We cannot, however, be there all the time. Cold temperatures can form thick ice, but wind and waves can break up that ice and make it very unstable. The conditions at the caves can change in less time than it takes to walk there. The Park website and ice-line will notify the public when a thick, stable, expansive sheet of ice forms near the Mawikwe Caves. Until then, ice travel is too dangerous to reliably say that the caves are accessible. The Ice Line will have the most current information and can be reached at (715) 779-3397 extension 3.

Mainland Caves 2008

Be sure to dress appropriately for the conditions. Wear layers so that when you heat up from the hike, you can remove a layer. When you get colder you can add those layers back on. Wear supportive winter boots. The hike from the bottom of the stairs at Meyers Beach to the first point of the caves is 1.1 miles away. The hike will take you over very uneven terrain, posing the potential for injury. Wearing crampon type products made for walking on ice will help you stay on your feet.

Bring a backpack along with some food and a thermos with a warm drink. Be sure to bring some water so that you don’t get dehydrated as well. Bring along a first-aid kit in case of emergency. Let someone know your plans to hike out to the caves and check the weather before you head out. Bring along some ice-picks and know how to use them. Please pack out whatever you pack in.

Bring along a cell phone to communicate in case of emergency. It is very difficult to connect a call from the caves, however, if you do make an emergency 911 cell phone call, be sure to let the dispatcher know exactly where you are. Sometimes cell calls are picked up by towers across the lake in Minnesota. Cell phone users should call the Bayfield County Sheriff at 373-6120.

Pets are better left at home unless you are prepared to completely clean up after their waste and keep them on a leash. National Park Service laws and regulations will be actively enforced at the caves. These regulations include cleaning up pet waste and keeping them on a leash.

Meyers Beach is a Recreational Fee area. Please pay your fee before heading out on the ice or trail. Please use the west side of Meyers Road for overflow parking. Traffic cones will be placed in the parking lot to block off areas for emergency vehicles.

The ice formations at the sea caves are beautiful, but they are very large chunks of heavy ice. They can fall at anytime so try not to spend much time underneath them. Keep in mind that what you enjoy about the spectacular formations at the caves is also what other people enjoy. Please do not damage the ice or break off the pieces.

Snowmobiling and ATV use is not permitted within ¼ mile of the mainland from Saxine Creek to Sand Point.