About Little Sand Bay Campground — Apostle Islands NS
The 22 islands and 12 miles of Lake Superior mainland coast of Apostle Islands offer some of the most
extraordinary sea kayaking in North America. Sea caves carved into red sandstone cliffs are accessible by kayak
in summer and on foot across the frozen lake in winter.
Highlights
- Sea caves accessible by kayak (summer) or ice walk (winter)
- Island camping on 21 of 22 park islands
- Lighthouse cruises past 6 restored historic lighthouses
- Dark sky stargazing over Lake Superior
- Fall foliage reflecting in the lake
Directions & How to Get There
From Duluth, MN: Take US-2 E to WI-13 N through Ashland to Bayfield, approximately 1.5 hours. From Green Bay:
Take US-141 N to US-2 W to WI-13 N, approximately 4 hours. Little Sand Bay is 13 miles north of Bayfield on
WI-13.
Nearby Attractions
- Sand Island (boat access)
- Devil's Island sea caves (kayak)
- Bayfield town (13 mi)
- Madeline Island ferry (from Bayfield)
- Copper Falls State Park (60 mi)
Insider Tips
- Sea kayak tours of the sea caves from Meyers Beach are extraordinary but require skill
- Island camping permits are required for all 21 campsites on the islands
- Winter ice caves are one of America's most magical natural phenomena — accessible only when ice is thick
enough
- The town of Bayfield is charming with excellent fish boils and apple orchards
Best Time to Visit
Best months: July–September
Season: May–October
Access difficulty: Moderate (boat/kayak for island sites)
What to Pack for Wisconsin Camping
- Navigation: downloaded offline maps, compass, and GPS device
- Water: at least 3 liters per person per day (more in desert parks)
- Food: bear canister or use provided bear boxes where required
- Shelter: 3-season tent, rain fly, and ground tarp
- Clothing: moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layer, waterproof shell
- First aid kit: including blister treatment, pain reliever, and any personal medications
- Sun protection: SPF 50 sunscreen, wide-brim hat, UV-blocking sunglasses
- Lighting: headlamp with extra batteries, lantern for camp
- Safety: whistle, emergency bivy, and knowledge of your emergency exit route