Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

WHERE WATER MEETS LAND AND SKY

Described by National Geographic as both “sublime and dangerous”, nestled within Lake Superior is The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.  With a total of 12 miles of mainland, this National Lakeshore protects 21 individual islands unique to Lake Superior and Chequamegon Bay.  Known as the Jewels of Lake Superior, the islands formed during the last glacial period and are made primarily of red sandstone, resulting in its iconic cliff faces, sea caves, and rock formations.  The islands are also home to old-growth forests that have gone undisturbed for over 150 years!  With pristine remaining sandscapes, Insider named The Apostle Islands as Wisconsin’s Most Beautiful Natural Attraction.

The Apostle Islands offers over 50 miles of maintained hiking trails in addition to its many beaches, docks, and camping sites.  While not all islands are open to recreation, tours offer a great opportunity to learn about the lakeshore and their history.  With eight lighthouses on six of the islands, the Apostles have more lighthouses than any other National Park!  Once used to guide ships and boats through the rough waters of Lake Superior, these structures were essential to the safety of our historic maritime freighter industry that still supplies coal, taconite, and limestone today to docks around the Great Lakes.

To request additional information on the walking trails in Washburn, visit the Washburn Area Chamber website or stop by:

  • Washburn Area Chamber

100 W Bayfield Street

Washburn, WI

If you’d like to read more about the Apostle Islands, visit the National Park Service’s website here.

The Apostles featured in Travel + Leisure’s 50 Most Beautiful Places in the US!

Apostle Islands sign