Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

**Camping within Apostle Island National Lakeshore is strictly tent camping. There is no car or RV camping within the park. All campsites within the national lakeshore must be reached by boat or sea kayak, except for the Mainland 1, 2, and 3 campsites, which can be accessed by kayak or by hiking in only.**  

Mainland camping for car & RV camping: There are a variety of state parks and private campgrounds with facilities for car and RV camping in the Bayfield area on the mainland and on Madeline Island. Visit the park's Camping in the Apostles web page and scroll to the "Local Area Camping" section. Madeline Island is not part of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. The Madeline Island Ferry is a car & passenger ferry service to transport visitors to the island.    

Camping within Apostle Islands National Lakeshore: The Apostle Islands offer a unique camping experience. There are many campsites within the park, and each have their own unique characteristics to them. There are 57 individual campsites, 9 group campsites, and 17 primitive camping zones.   

• NOTE: Visitors who choose to visit the islands and sleep in their personal self-contained vessel do not need a camping reservation. Public docks are available first-come, first-serve on 12 of the islands. You'll pay the overnight docking fee upon arrival. Be sure to download the Recreation.gov mobile app on your mobile device before you visit so that you can complete payment for overnight docking using scan & pay upon arrival. 

Advance reservations for camping permits are required for camping in Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Each camping permit may cover up to 14 consecutive nights. Permit holders can not have concurrent night stays. Permit holders can only have one reservation for the same nights of camping. Permit holders are responsible for any damages. Camping permits are non-transferable.

Individual campsites: These campsites are designated for groups of 1-7 people. Most sites are equipped with a fire ring, bear locker, and a picnic table. These sites are recommended for first-time primitive campers. It will give a sense of backcountry camping with the pleasantries of the amenities. They are a good way to work up to the primitive zone camping. These sites are $15 per night. Reservations can be made starting 30 days from the start of a trip.   

Group campsites: These campsites are designated for groups of 8-21 people. Each site is equipped with a fire ring, bear locker, and a picnic table. These sites are great for large families or get-togethers with friends. These sites are $30 per night. These sites can be reserved in March every year during the Group Camping Lottery and remaining sites will open after the lottery is completed.   

Primitive zone camping: These campsites are designated for groups of 1-5 people. These sites are for the truly hardcore backpackers. Primitive zone camping is not a specific site but provides the option of choosing a backcountry area to camp. This type of camping experience has NO amenities. There are specific guidelines on where to camp for this type of experience. Consult the Primitive Zone camping maps for potential landing sites and available areas.  

The following areas are closed to primitive zone camping: 

• Areas excluded from primitive camping zones and closed to camping to protect sensitive natural and cultural resources. 
• Area posted as closed to protect bird nesting areas and threatened or endangered species. 
• Areas in view of any designated trail. 
• Areas within 1/4 mile of any building, historic structure, individual or group campsite, or another camping party. 
• Areas within 100 feet of a flowing stream. 
• Private land or lease holdings. 

For more information or questions about your itinerary, call park staff at (715) 779-3398 extension 2, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily from Memorial Day through September or Monday to Friday from October through Memorial Day.  

Need to Know

• RULES AND REGULATIONS

  • Group Size: Individual campsites accommodate a maximum of seven people at one time. Children of any age count towards the total number. Group campsites accommodate parties of 8 to 21 people. Parties camping in designated camping zones are limited to a maximum of five people.
  • Tents: Parties camping in individual campsites can have a maximum of three tents (including those used only to store gear). Parties using camping zones are limited to two tents. All tents must be located in areas designated by tent pads or signs, where they are provided.
  • Bears: Black bears are found on the islands. All food, beverage containers, garbage, toiletries, and cooking materials must be secured from wildlife. Bear proof lockers are provided for this purpose at all designate campsites. In camping zones, all food and garbage must be hung from a tree at least twelve feet above the ground and six feet from the trunk of the tree. Cookware and dishes should be cleaned as soon as practicable after preparation of the meal. DO NOT FEED BEARS OR OTHER WILDLIFE.
  • Garbage: All refuse must be carried out of the park. Please do not dispose of garbage in toilets, do not try to burn it, do not bury it, and do not dispose of it in Lake Superior.
  • Fires: Build fires in fire receptacles where provided. Zone campers will need to use a backpacking stove for cooking. Beach and camp fires must be less than three feet in height or diameter. Fires are not allowed on beaches on Raspberry Island, Julian Bay and Presque Isle Bay on Stockton Island, on beaches within 150 feet of sites where fire receptacles are provided. Do NOT transport firewood to, or between islands in the national lakeshore. Use dead or downed wood on the ground for firewood. Wood may not be collected from vegetated portions of island beaches. Do not leave fires unattended. Extinguish fires before leaving the area. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more about preventing the spread of tree-killing pests. Chainsaw use prohibited.
  • Soap: Please do not use any type of soap within 100 feet of Lake Superior, or any water source.
  • Quiet Hours: Quiet hours are enforced from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Pets: All pets must be kept on a leash that is six feet or shorter, and never left unattended. Pet excrement must be immediately collected and disposed of.
  • Check Out: Campsite check out must be by 11 a.m.
  • Itinerary Changes: If itinerary changes are necessary during a camping trip, please contact park staff by phone (715-779-3398) or in person, if possible. Have your permit available. There is no charge for changes due to severe weather conditions.

• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Trail conditions: Many of the trails may be not be maintained which can make route finding difficult. 
  • Booking Window: Reservations for individual campsites and primitive camping zones can be made 30 days prior to the start of a trip. Group campsites can be made at any time after the group camping lottery. Information on the group camping lottery can be found on the park website.
  • Camping in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore: All island campsites are only accessible by boat. There are three individual campsites that are hike-in or paddle-in sites along the Lakeshore Trail on the mainland. People sleeping on their boat do not need to obtain a camping permit, but must pay an overnight dock fee at the site. You may pay this fee upon arrival using Scan & Pay. Please download the Recreation.gov mobile app before you visit the islands.
  • Island Transportation: The cost of transportation to the islands may be much higher than the cost of camping. If you do not have your own boat, find out what it will cost to rent a sea kayak, charter a water taxi, or ride the camper shuttle before paying to reserve campsites.
  • Closed to the public: The southeast corner of Sand Island and an area north of Group Site A on Rocky. These areas include cabins (and docks) where previous land owners retain special rights.
  • Cold Water: Camping is allowed all year, the demand for camping is greatest from June to September. Temps during this period feature average highs in the 60s and 70s and lows in the 40s and 50s. Annual precipitation averages 33 inches. Lake Superior waters are dangerously cold with an average water temperature of 42F. The threat of hypothermia is real all year.

Changes & Cancellations

Cancellations made prior to the reservation start date will be given a 50% refund of the use fees.
Changes to the reservation will be charged a $15.00 change fee.
There is a $10 reservation fee for each permit made. The $10 reservation fee is non-refundable.

Contact Information

Mailing

415 Washington Ave. Bayfield WI 54814

Physical Address

415 Washington Ave Bayfield WI 54814

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 715-779-3397 EXT 2

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

**Camping within Apostle Island National Lakeshore is strictly tent camping. There is no car or RV camping within the park and no campsites that you can drive to. All campsites within the national lakeshore must be reached by boat or sea kayak, except for the Mainland 1, 2, and 3 campsites, which can be accessed by kayak or hiking in only.**  

Mainland camping for car & RV camping: There are a variety of state parks and private campgrounds with facilities for car and RV camping in the Bayfield area on the mainland and on Madeline Island. Madeline Island is not part of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. The Madeline Island Ferry is a car & passenger ferry service to transport visitors to the island.    

Available Campsites

• Site South Twin 2, Loop South Twin, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Basswood 2, Loop Basswood, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Stockton 13, Loop Stockton, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Oak 4, Loop Oak, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Basswood 1, Loop Basswood, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Stockton 17, Loop Stockton, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Stockton Z2, Loop Stockton, Type Zone
• Site Sand Site A, Loop Sand, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
• Site Outer 1, Loop Outer, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Stockton 11, Loop Stockton, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Bear Primitive Zone, Loop Bear, Type Anchorage
• Site Sand Site B, Loop Sand, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
• Site Stockton 8, Loop Stockton, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Rocky 1, Loop Rocky, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Basswood Site A, Loop Basswood, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
• Site Basswood 6, Loop Basswood, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Cat Primitive Zone, Loop Cat, Type Zone
• Site Sand Primitive Zone, Loop Sand, Type Zone
• Site Rocky 3, Loop Rocky, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Oak Site A, Loop Oak, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
• Site Sand 4, Loop Sand, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Stockton Z1, Loop Stockton, Type Zone
• Site Stockton Site B, Loop Stockton, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
• Site Stockton 12, Loop Stockton, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Rocky Primitive Zone, Loop Rocky, Type Zone
• Site Oak Z3, Loop Oak, Type Zone
• Site Rocky 4, Loop Rocky, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Sand 2, Loop Sand, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Stockton 4, Loop Stockton, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Stockton Primitive Zone, Loop Stockton, Type Zone
• Site Stockton 3, Loop Stockton, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Long 1, Loop Long, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site South Twin 1, Loop South Twin, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Stockton 6, Loop Stockton, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Sand 6, Loop Sand, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Hermit Primitive Zone, Loop Hermit, Type Zone
• Site Outer Z2, Loop Outer, Type Zone
• Site Rocky 5, Loop Rocky, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site York 3, Loop York, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Stockton 7, Loop Stockton, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site York 1, Loop York, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Stockton Site A, Loop Stockton, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
• Site South Twin Primitive Zone, Loop South Twin, Type Zone
• Site Oak Z1, Loop Oak, Type Zone
• Site Outer Z4, Loop Outer, Type Zone
• Site Ironwood 1, Loop Ironwood, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Ironwood Primitive Zone, Loop Ironwood, Type Zone
• Site Stockton 2, Loop Stockton, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Rocky Site A, Loop Rocky, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
• Site Basswood 4, Loop Basswood, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Otter Primitive Zone, Loop Otter, Type Zone
• Site Devils 1, Loop Devils, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Rocky 2, Loop Rocky, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Basswood Primitive Zone, Loop Basswood, Type Zone
• Site Cat 1, Loop Cat, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Sand 1, Loop Sand, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Stockton 15, Loop Stockton, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Stockton 20, Loop Stockton, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Oak Z2, Loop Oak, Type Zone
• Site Michigan 1, Loop Michigan, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Stockton 21, Loop Stockton, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site South Twin 4, Loop South Twin, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Oak 1, Loop Oak, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Stockton 19, Loop Stockton, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site North Twin Primitive Zone, Loop North Twin, Type Zone
• Site Sand 3, Loop Sand, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Outer Z1, Loop Outer, Type Zone
• Site Otter 1, Loop Otter, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Outer Primitive Zone, Loop Outer, Type Zone
• Site Basswood 3, Loop Basswood, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Sand Site C, Loop Sand, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
• Site Manitou 1, Loop Manitou, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Michigan Primitive Zone, Loop Michigan, Type Zone
• Site Basswood 5, Loop Basswood, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Stockton Z3, Loop Stockton, Type Zone
• Site Oak Primitive Zone, Loop Oak, Type Zone
• Site Stockton 16, Loop Stockton, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Mainland 1, Loop Mainland, Type Hike To
• Site Manitou Primitive Zone, Loop Manitou, Type Zone
• Site York 2, Loop York, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Oak Site B, Loop Oak, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
• Site Stockton 18, Loop Stockton, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Stockton 10, Loop Stockton, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Mainland 3, Loop Mainland, Type Hike To
• Site Mainland 2, Loop Mainland, Type Hike To
• Site South Twin 3, Loop South Twin, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Oak 6, Loop Oak, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Oak 2, Loop Oak, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Oak 3, Loop Oak, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Sand 5, Loop Sand, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Stockton 1, Loop Stockton, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Outer Z3, Loop Outer, Type Zone
• Site Stockton 5, Loop Stockton, Type Standard Nonelectric

Photo Gallery