Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits

Wisconsin, United States

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits

Adventure with your pack

Plan your trip to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits

Build a pet-friendly route with campgrounds, stops, and travel details tailored to your crew.

Plan your trip

Source-backed summary

Overview Camping within Apostle Island National Lakeshore is strictly tent camping. There is no car or RV camping within the park.

Current weather

Loading current conditions…

Pet suitability

Checking verified info…

Weather guidance uses air temperature only; humidity or hot pavement may increase risk.

Online info—check with the campground or park before planning.

Uses verified pet access, leash rules, and air temperature.

    Network availability

    Coverage data not loaded for this area

    This does not mean there is no signal. FCC carrier data for this area has not been loaded yet.

    Amenities

    • Park-Recreation Area
    • Boating Services

    About Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits

    Overview

    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 cannot 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.

    Contact Info

    For facility specific information, please call (715) 779-3398.

    Charges & 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.