Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Adventure in Northern Wisconsin

Dogs are allowed on the beach of Lake Superior in Big Bay Town Park until you reach the state park line.

We took a weeklong camping, hiking, and kayaking adventure to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Northern Wisconsin! We stayed on Madeline Island, visited Stockton Island, and had an epic fall beach trip experience on the waters of Lake Superior. I even was swept out of my sea kayak by the majestic Great Lake waves :)!

If you are interested in learning more about the outdoor adventures and experiences available on the Apostle Islands check out this article as we share our favorite memories from our trip.

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore features 21 Islands on Lake Superior. We stayed on the only one that humans still live on (this is the ancestral homeland of the Obijwe people.) Time on Lake Superior is always special to me and this trip was no exception. It was a place I had heard much about but never had the chance to visit until September 2025! The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore fell into my heart quickly and it will definitely be a place we return to many more times I hope!

We spent six days in Cornucopia (the northernmost village in Wisconsin), Bayfield (where you catch the ferry to many of the Apostle Islands), Madeline Island, and Stockton Island.

Things to know about the Apostle Islands:
1. Cars are only permitted on Madeline Island. We took the ferry from Bayfield and set up Madeline as a basecamp for our adventure.
2. Stockton Island is one of 18 Islands that you can camp on! Madeline Island features the only “drive-in” campground. Camping info and reservations can be found HERE!
3. The kayaking is world renowned. Between the sea caves, lighthouses, and turquoise waters of Lake Superior you’ll be in for a unsalted, shark free, bumpy paddle!

Our Adventure Memories on the Apostle Islands!

We knew we were headed “Up North” but as our tent camping road trip approached we realized that it would be more like late fall instead of mid summer even though it was the week after Labor Day. We wound up moving into an apartment rental for the end of the trip because of thunderstorms and overnight lows approaching freezing. It’s all part of tent camping sometimes! We spent six exquisite days tooling around these magical islands. We saw just a small slice and sliver of them and to me it was one of the most beautiful places I had been to in North America.

Lake Superior goes over 1,300 feet and is the largest freshwater lake in the world (by surface area.) The first day of kayaking I knew it was windy and the waves would be choppy, but I am a great swimmer and above average sea paddler. Many a time on Lake Superior I thought to myself “I am surprised I didn’t flip over today.” And I was just grateful that when my day finally came I was wearing a wetsuit, water temps were 65F, and Jessie and Lauren from Adventure Vacations helped me flip my kayak quickly and get back in within minutes.

One reason I love visiting the Great Lakes is the dog friendly accessibility. Most trails are dog friendly and the terrain also suits the paws. We were able to go just about everywhere we wanted to go with Cotopaxi so if you like adventuring with your furry friend this is a fabulous place to head!

Below are some of our favorites for you to figure out your own trip to this unforgettable region of Planet Earth!

#RuddsontheRoad Apostle Islands Faves!

Eat:
Cafe Seiche, Firefly Cafe, The Pub Restaurant, Mission Hill Coffee, The Beach Club, and while we didn’t go in we LOVED Tom’s Burned Down Cafe signs/vibe and the menu at Jody’s Food Truck looked splendid. We just were gone when it was open.

Adventure:
Madeline Island Wilderness Preserve, Big Bay State Park, Big Bay Town Park, Stockton Island, and Sea Cave Kayaking.

Stay:
We camped at Big Bay Town Park and since dogs are allowed on a portion of the beach we would pick that over Big Bay State Park. The town park had clean flush toilets, plenty of space at your campsite, and clean water to drink.

What else?
We got goodies to take home from Madeline Island Candle Store, did yoga with Nate at Healing Motion, hiked a majority of the trails on Stockton Island, spent time with sailors island hopping, and Cotopaxi shook like a leaf on a windy day on his boat rides to the other islands.

I loved reading the plaque for “Nucy” in the wilderness preserve. Check it out if you find it!

We’ve explored the Great Lakes many times and in many different ways but this was my first journey to the Apostle Islands. Lake Superior summers are short but stunning, its waters are rough but rejuvenating, and it’s a reminder to me always that beauty appears in many different ways.

I hope we’ll be back again soon but you never know how this beautiful journey will play out so for now I will cherish my memories we created together in our first, and as of now only, tent camping adventure in Northern Wisconsin.

Comment if you have any questions that we can help you with in planning your adventure there!

Because Adventure Feeds the Soul,
Mike R