Explore This Park

• Plan Your Visit
  • Basic Information
    • Operating Hours & Seasons

Operating Hours & Seasons

The mainland portion and the islands of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore are open to visitors year round. From time to time closures or advisories will close or limit access to certain locations. Check here for current closures and advisories.

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Bayfield Visitor Center	Little Sand Bay Visitor Center
Devils, Michigan, and Sand Island Lighthouses	Stockton Island Visitor Center
Raspberry Island Lighthouse

 

 

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Headquarters

Damon Panek

Bayfield Visitor Center

The HQ visitor center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm from May 4 through May 22. The visitor center is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm from May 23 to September 30. From October 1 to 16, the visitor center will be open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. The visitor center will close for the season on October 17. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Headquarters business offices, at the same location on the second floor, will remain open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, except on federal holidays.

Closed Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, and President's Day

Phone:
715-779-3397

TTY/ASCII: 800-877-8339 FedRelay allows the general public to conduct business with the federal government and its agencies. Calls are relayed using specially trained Communications Assistants.

Location:
Located in the old Bayfield County Courthouse on Washington Avenue between Fourth and Fifth Streets, Bayfield.

Closures:
The visitor center is closed on federal holidays, except Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

Exhibits:
A good place to begin your National Lakeshore visit, whether by car, afoot, or by private boat, is at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Visitor Center in Bayfield. Apostle Islands brownstone was used to construct this stately building, as well as many other elegant public buildings and residences throughout the Upper Midwest. At the visitor center you can view audiovisual programs and study exhibits about the park's history, natural history, and recreation opportunities.

Available Facilities:
Rest rooms, information desk, exhibits, camping permits.

 

 

Little Sand Bay Visitor Center

Damon Panek

Little Sand Bay Visitor Center
Open:
Mid-June to Labor Day, as staff is available, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Phone:

715-779-3459

Location:
Located on Little Sand Bay Road, 13 miles north of Bayfield, WI.

Exhibits:
Lakeshore exhibits, park film, Hokenson Brothers Fishery exhibit.

Available Facilities:
Rest rooms, information desk, exhibits, camping permits, marina.

 

 

Devils, Michigan, and Sand Island Lighthouses
Location:
On islands; accessible by boat only.

Special Programs:
Volunteer lighthouse keepers provide guided tours through the historic lighthouses from mid-June to early September. Tours are generally available on request from about 9am to 4:30pm when volunteers are present. Guided tours cost $3/children under 16, $5/ages 16 and older, or $10/immediate family.

 

 

Stockton Island Visitor Center
Location:
Presque Isle, Stockton Island.

Available Facilities:
Visitor Center staffed intermittently and hours will be posted at Presque Isle by the Ranger on duty. However, the building is open daily for self-service use from July through Labor Day. Exhibits, brochures, camping registration, sales items (sales only available when staffed).

 

 

Raspberry Island Lighthouse
Location:
Raspberry Island, accessible by boat only

Special Programs:
Ranger guided tours of the restored lighthouse are offered from mid-June to mid-September. Tours include access to the lighthouse tower and the refurnished head lighthouse keeper's quarters, and are available on request daily from 10 am to 5:00 pm. Guided tours cost: $3/children under 16, $5/age 16 and older, or $10/immediate family.