Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits

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 designated 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 practical after preparation of meals. 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 campfires must be less than three feet in height or diameter. Fires are not allowed on beaches at Meyers Beach, 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.