The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore-USA

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is experimenting with new ways to bring the park experience to visitors. Along windswept beaches and cliffs, visitors experience where water meets land and sky, culture meets culture, and past meets present. The 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland host a unique blend of cultural and natural resources.  Lighthouses shine over Lake Superior and the new wilderness areas. Visitors can hike, paddle, sail, or cruise to experience these Jewels of Lake Superior.The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a U.S. national lakeshore consisting of 21 islands (Apostle Islands) and shoreline encompassing 69,372 acres (281 km²) on the northern tip of Wisconsin on the shore of Lake Superior. It is known for its collection of historic lighthouses, sandstone sea caves, a few old growth remnant forests, and natural animal habitats. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is located off Wisconsin’s peninsula in Lake Superior, the “largest, cleanest, and coldest of the Great Lakes.” The Apostle Islands are a result of the glaciers that once covered North America. “Geologically they are originally part of the main land at the edge of the great riff or fault which formed the depression to which the waters of Lake Superior collected.”. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore protects unique resources, islands, forests, wildlife and other natural features, safeguards and interprets the area’s cultural history, and provides for public education, appreciation, and the recreational use and enjoyment of these resources. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore – Social Networking. Sand Island lighthouse has been thought to be the most beautiful light house to visit. This lighthouse is approximately 44 feet (13 m) tall and was one of the first lighthouses to be lit in 1921. Boats tour this island June through late August every year on trips provided by volunteers of the National Park Service. The lighthouse on Raspberry Island has been completely renovated and is one of the most scenic in the Apostle Islands.The lighthouse photos that you see above, are sold to support the activities of The Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. These powerful photos were taken by volunteers to honor the late Martin Hanson who was instrumental in the establishment of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Martin was a highly acclaimed conservationist in Wisconsin. The shoreline contains some historical sites, such as the many lighthouses throughout the islands. Fishing on Lake Superior is a popular activity for boaters and non-boaters alike. The lake holds several species of trout and some species of salmon. In seasons when the water is warmer visitors can catch fish from the shore in water as shallow as ten feet. Not long after, the islands were visited by Étienne Brûlé, a French explorer who, like many French Canadians, was trying to discover a new way to the East Indies. “The French are believed to have named the islands ‘Apostle’ meaning 12, because they believed in the practice of giving names of religious significance to geographic locations It is said that fur traders were the first explorers to settle in the area, building a village from the money they brought in. Camping is available on 18 of the lakeshore’s 21 islands and at one campsite on the mainland. Permits are required for all camping in the national lakeshore. The permit system allows campers to reserve campsites in advance (see camping fees). Individual campsites (for one to seven campers) can be reserved beginning one month before the start of a trip. Individual campsites are reserved at $10 per night. Group campsites (for eight to 20 campers) can be reserved beginning the second week in January. The fee for group campsites is $20 per night. Camping zones have also been established on 15 islands in the national lakeshore for visitors seeking a remote backcountry experience.