Apostle Islands — Local services in Town of La Pointe

Not a pure wild, but a re-wilded area of unimaginable beauty. The 22 Apostle Islands consist of 21 Islands that are National Park, and 1 Island, Madeline Island, that is inhabited and one of the oldest town in America with La Pointe being a major fur trading center from the 17th century. When the National Park Service first surveyed the islands the logging and sand stone quarrying left the impression it could never be a National Park of natural wild area. But just 30 years later it was designated the Apostle Islands National Lake Shore. The island are a grand example of the resilience of nature, and the potential to heal humans damage to nature.

The Sea Caves are a popular destination and the most picturesque part of the islands. The best caves are on Devils Island, Sand Island, and a stretch of the mainland.

Many People Kayak to the islands and caves, there are also tour boats and a cruise ship is guaranteed a monopoly on inspected vessels by the park service. The lake is large and though the island provide some protection any adventure into the islands should be treated with respect for The Big Lake, as an ancient fisherman said: The Lake is The Boss.

Red Cliff Indian Reservation has a Casino and Marina located near the islands. Bad River Reservation is south by Ashland but has a claim to the North End of Madeline Island. The towns of Bayfield, Cornucopia, Washburn, and Ashland are on the Lake Near the Islands. La Pointe is the town on Madeline Island accessed by a ferry service that also has no competition and runs like a monopoly.

The Park Service provides docks for recreational boaters. Docks are all first come first serve and vary from not protected at all from certain directions of wind and waves to Presque Isle which is a bonified harbor.

Camping is reserved on the parks website.

There are a handful of properties in the park held by private parties on a lifetime lease that the park is under no obligation to renew. The most recent that had the person pass away whos name it was in as I understand was passed to the families in a curator status. As the tide has turned and the human element is now seen as integral to the history and effort is now to preserve what remains of human encroachment. Originally many structures were destroyed by the park to...

The Apostle Islands is really a destination for those that just want to chill or those that have water crafts. There is very little to do in this area otherwise. You can do a half a day kayak tour, a half a day boat tour and a Madeline Island day. You can see very little of the National Lakeshore from land besides a hike out of Meyers Beach. Otherwise you can shop in Bayfield if that is your thing. The beaches are just ok. Lots of driftwood and algae on beach and water is murky. It was very disappointing after coming from Michigan's Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Most of the campgrounds in this area are just ok. ATV riders will find lots of ATV roads but it is just a ride through forestry roads that you could do anywhere else. If you just want to chill by a lake and relax, this place will work like any other. But there are way more magical places by Lake Superior....

What a wonderful day, perfect weather and a beautiful ride on the ferry. We took the cave tour because the longest one was already booked. I suggest booking a few days before, we did the day before. But...the cave tour was excellent. Got top deck, do for sure if you can. I took too many videos and some are a bit fast or wobbly, really, I wasn't drinking 🙃, it was fear of dropping my phone as the waves knocked me around 😉. The videos don't do it justice, at all but I tried. Put this one on you list. Just realized can't post anything but photos hear so will go to...