Ice Caves

Ice Caves Status: Expected to open Feb. 16 if conditions remain stable

Posted: 02/14/2026, 4:00pm

The ice caves near Meyers Beach within the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore are expected to open to visitation beginning Feb. 16 if conditions remain stable. Ice stability can change rapidly. Access may close for public safety with short notice.

Note: ice caves remain closed to visitation until 2/16/2026.

 

 

Ice caves formation in 2014.

NPS Photo

Plan Your Ice Caves Visit

Note: ice caves remain closed to visitation until 2/16/2026.

Visiting the Apostle Islands ice caves is a stunning but challenging winter adventure. Be prepared for:

• 2–6 mile round trip hike on uneven lake ice with no shelter, water, and limited cell service.
• Dress for harsh winter conditions with warm layers, waterproof boots with traction devices, and windproof outerwear.
• No on-site parking is available at Meyers Beach—plan to shuttle from off-site locations to the trailhead.
• $5 per person/day fee (ages 16+; under 16 free) paid online. Paying the day of your visit before arriving is encouraged. Additional fees apply for off-site parking and shuttles operated by Bay Area Rural Transit.
• Conditions can change quickly and closures may happen anytime for safety.

Always check official updates before you travel: this webpage (go.nps.gov/IceCaves), the ice caves phone line at [phone] x3, or visit facebook.com/apostleislandsnps.

 

Ice caves visitor map and guide flyer.

NPS Photo

Ice Caves Flyer and Map

Download flyer and map.

 

Visitors walking to and from the ice caves in 2015.

NPS Photo

About the Apostle Islands Ice Caves

The ice caves form along the mainland cliffs of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore near Meyers Beach, on the south shore of Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin. These caves are part of the park’s mainland unit, not on the islands themselves. Visitors access the ice caves by hiking across the frozen surface of Lake Superior from the Meyers Beach trailhead. The Meyers Beach trailhead is located at GPS coordinates 46.8834, -91.0484 (no parking at this location).

Distances to Nearby Cities:

• Cornucopia, WI: ~4 miles southwest
• Bayfield, WI: ~18 miles east
• Ashland, WI: ~38 miles southeast
• Duluth, MN: ~90 miles west
• Minneapolis, MN: ~230 miles southwest

 

What to Bring

• Dress for cold winter conditions
• Warm, waterproof boots with traction devices
• Warm layers and windproof outerwear
• Treking poles for stability
• Water and snacks

Other Visitor Information

• Dogs: Allowed on a leash (6 ft max), but not recommended due to harsh conditions
• Tours: No authorized tours; visiting the ice caves is self-guided

How to Stay Safe

• Dress for harsh winter conditions
• Avoid standing under hanging ice
• Watch for cracks and pressure ridges
• Do not crawl into small openings

 

Bayfield County shuttle and parking map.

Parking and Shuttles

There is no parking at Meyers Beach or on nearby Hwy 13. Visitors must use Bayfield County managed shuttles (Bay Area Rural Transit) and off-site parking lots. Parking and shuttle fees are separate from the NPS Ice Caves event fee and are not charged by the National Park Service. Visit the Bayfield County website for additional information. Download parking and shuttle map.

• Shuttles will run approximately every 25–35 minutes, but traffic conditions may cause delays. $5 each way (cash only).

Cornucopia parking lots (4 miles southwest of Meyers Beach):

• Bell Town Hall Parking Lot (GPS: 46.85267, -91.10198)
• Cornucopia Beach Parking Lot (GPS: 46.85875, -91.09975)

Sand River Gravel Pit lot (6 miles east of Meyers Beach):

• 30675 State Highway 13, Bayfield, WI 54814 (GPS: 46.89324, -90.93237)

 

Is there a fee?

$5 per person/day (ages 16+; under 16 free) online at https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/1442411180. Paying the day of your visit before arriving is encouraged.

How far is the hike?

2–6 miles round trip, depending on how far you explore from the Meyers Beach trailhead.

Is the ice safe?

Ice is never completely safe. Park staff monitor conditions daily, but wind and temperature changes can destabilize conditions. Standing water may be present. Waterproof boots with traction devices are reccomended. Slips and falls are common. Icicles and ice features may fall. Do not stand under hanging ice.