Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore — lakeside

Location: Bayfield, WI, WI

Price: From $15 per night

Price range: $15–$30 per night

Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (126 reviews)

Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day

**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 Is

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.

Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Bear Boxes

Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/apostle-islands-national-lakeshore-camping-permits to be notified when sites open up.

Apostle Islands offers unique tent-only island camping accessible by boat or sea kayak, with 83 sites featuring fire rings, picnic tables, and bear boxes across multiple islands. The $15/night price point and strict wilderness camping preserve make it ideal for backcountry paddlers seeking isolation.

Wildlife alert: Gray wolves and gray foxes observed in the area; use bear boxes provided at all sites and practice food storage discipline.

Insider tips for Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits: Mainland 1, 2, and 3 campsites are only accessible by kayak or hiking—no boat required, unlike other island sites All island campsites require boat or sea kayak access; plan water transportation in advance Book as early as possible; federal campground with seasonal operations and limited capacity fills quickly

Skip Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits if: You have an RV or car—no vehicle camping exists within the park; mainland state parks nearby offer RV facilities. You need hookups—none available at any sites. You cannot reach sites by boat or paddling—water access is mandatory except for three mainland locations.

Best time to visit Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits: Memorial Day - Labor Day — Only operational period for camping permits; book early as this is a popular federal campground with limited 83 total sites.

Nearby campgrounds: Birch Grove (WI), Horseshoe Lake Campground (WI), Wanoka Campground (WI), Namekagon (Hayward, WI).