News Release

Outer Island Re-opens to Day Use

Date: August 27, 2019
Contact: Chris Smith, 715-779-3398, ext. 1801
Contact: Julie Van Stappen, 715-779-3398, ext. 1601

Bayfield, WI - Outer Island has been re-opened to day-use. Overnight use continues to be closed, including Outer campsite 1 and zone camping. On August 16, the island was temporarily closed due to bear activity. This was done to ensure visitor safety.

Park staff monitored the sand spit, campsite, and light station area for 10 days. No evidence of bear activity was captured through track observations or wildlife cameras. It is possible that the bear swam to another island or that natural foods have become more abundant.However, the island will remain temporarily closed to overnight use because of this bear's behavior. It was coming into the campsite at night and exhibited behavior that indicated it is not afraid of humans.

The park will continue to monitor for bear activity to determine when it is appropriate to reopen the island to overnight camping.