Can you reserve a site at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits?

Yes, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits have?

95 sites in total, of which 93 can be booked.

Are pets allowed at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits?

Yes, pets are allowed at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits.

Are campfires allowed at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits?

Campfires are allowed at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits

Campground · Wisconsin · 93 bookable sites ·

Managed by the National Park Service

93
Bookable sites: up to 21
People per site: 5
Accessible sites: 747 ft
Elevation

View of choppy waters at the Stockton Presque Isle dock — Photo: J. Gary · Recreation.gov

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. Each site is equipped with a fire ring, bear locker, and a picnic table. These sites are great for large families or get-togethers with friends. These sites are $30 per night. These sites can be reserved in March every year during the Group Camping Lottery and remaining sites will open after the lottery is completed.

Primitive zone camping: These campsites are designated for groups of 1-5 people. These sites are for the truly hardcore backpackers. Primitive zone camping is not a specific site but provides the option of choosing a backcountry area to camp. This type of camping experience has NO amenities. There are specific guidelines on where to camp for this type of experience. Consult the Primitive Zone camping maps for potential landing sites and available areas.

The following areas are closed to primitive zone camping:

Areas excluded from primitive camping zones and closed to camping to protect sensitive natural and cultural resources.
Area posted as closed to protect bird nesting areas and threatened or endangered species.
Areas in view of any designated trail.
Areas within 1/4 mile of any building, historic structure, individual or group campsite, or another camping party.
Areas within 100 feet of a flowing stream.
Private land or lease holdings.

For more information or questions about your itinerary, call park staff at (715) 779-3398 extension 0, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., daily from Memorial Day through September or Monday to Friday from October through Memorial Day.

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.

The facts

93 bookable sites
95 sites in total, including non-bookable
5 accessible sites
Up to 21 people per site
Loops: Basswood, Bear, Cat, Devils, Hermit, Ironwood, Long, Mainland, Manitou, Michigan, North Twin, Oak, Otter, Outer, Raspberry, Rocky, Sand, South Twin, Stockton, York, Zone

Site types

56 Standard Nonelectric
24 Zone
9 Group Standard Nonelectric
3 Hike To
2 Management
1 Anchorage

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Pets allowed
Water hookups — not available

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, grills, shade.

Book on Recreation.gov

95 campsites at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits

Check-in 11:00 AM · Check-out 11:00 AM

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Water	Max rig	People
Basswood 1	Basswood	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7	🐾
Basswood 2	Basswood	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7	🐾
Basswood 3	Basswood	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7	🐾
Basswood 4	Basswood	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Basswood 5	Basswood	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7	🐾
Basswood 6	Basswood	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7	🐾
Basswood Primitive Zone	Basswood	Zone	—	—	—	—	5	🐾
Basswood Site A	Basswood	Group Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	21
Bear Primitive Zone	Bear	Anchorage	—	—	—	—	5
Cat 1	Cat	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Cat Primitive Zone	Cat	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
Devils 1	Devils	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Hermit Primitive Zone	Hermit	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
Ironwood 1	Ironwood	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Ironwood Primitive Zone	Ironwood	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
Long 1	Long	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Mainland 1	Mainland	Hike To	—	—	—	—	7	🐾
Mainland 2	Mainland	Hike To	—	—	Lakefront	—	7	🐾
Mainland 3	Mainland	Hike To	—	—	—	—	7	🐾
Manitou 1	Manitou	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Manitou Primitive Zone	Manitou	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
Michigan 1	Michigan	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Michigan Primitive Zone	Michigan	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
North Twin Primitive Zone	North Twin	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
Oak 1	Oak	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Oak 2	Oak	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Oak 3	Oak	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Oak 4	Oak	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Oak 6	Oak	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Oak Primitive Zone	Oak	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
Oak Site A	Oak	Group Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	21
Oak Site B	Oak	Group Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	21
Oak Z1	Oak	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
Oak Z2	Oak	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
Oak Z3	Oak	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
Otter 1	Otter	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Otter Primitive Zone	Otter	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
Outer 1	Outer	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Outer Primitive Zone	Outer	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
Outer Z1	Outer	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
Outer Z2	Outer	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
Outer Z3	Outer	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
Outer Z4	Outer	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
Raspberry Z1	Raspberry	Management	—	—	—	—	5
Rocky 1	Rocky	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Rocky 2	Rocky	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Rocky 3	Rocky	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Rocky 4	Rocky	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Rocky 5	Rocky	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Rocky Primitive Zone	Rocky	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
Rocky Site A	Rocky	Group Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	21
Sand 1	Sand	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Sand 2	Sand	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Sand 3	Sand	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7	♿
Sand 4	Sand	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Sand 5	Sand	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Sand 6	Sand	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Sand Primitive Zone	Sand	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
Sand Site A	Sand	Group Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	21
Sand Site B	Sand	Group Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	21
Sand Site C	Sand	Group Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	21	♿
South Twin 1	South Twin	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
South Twin 2	South Twin	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
South Twin 3	South Twin	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
South Twin 4	South Twin	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
South Twin Primitive Zone	South Twin	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
Stockton 1	Stockton	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7	♿
Stockton 10	Stockton	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Stockton 11	Stockton	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Stockton 12	Stockton	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Stockton 13	Stockton	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Stockton 15	Stockton	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Stockton 16	Stockton	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Stockton 17	Stockton	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Stockton 18	Stockton	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Stockton 19	Stockton	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Stockton 2	Stockton	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Stockton 20	Stockton	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Stockton 21	Stockton	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Stockton 3	Stockton	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Stockton 4	Stockton	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Stockton 5	Stockton	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Stockton 6	Stockton	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Stockton 7	Stockton	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Stockton 8	Stockton	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Stockton Primitive Zone	Stockton	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
Stockton Site A	Stockton	Group Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	21	♿
Stockton Site B	Stockton	Group Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	21	♿
Stockton Z1	Stockton	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
Stockton Z2	Stockton	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
Stockton Z3	Stockton	Zone	—	—	—	—	5
York 1	York	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
York 2	York	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
York 3	York	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	7
Zone Z	Zone	Management	—	—	—	—	—

Getting there

**Camping within Apostle Island National Lakeshore is strictly tent camping. There is no car or RV camping within the park and no campsites that you can drive to. 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 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. 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.

Getting Here: Starting from Washburn, follow Highway 13 North for about 12 miles. Turn left onto 4th Street. The headquarters is the large brownstone building a block 1/2 up.

46.81324, -90.82031 · 46°48'47.6"N 90°49'13.1"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 77°F in Jul, down to 23°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	23	26	37	49	60	71	77	76	68	55	40	28
Low °F	4	6	17	29	40	50	56	55	48	36	25	12
Precip in	1.5	1.3	1.6	2.7	3.5	3.9	3.9	3.6	3.4	3.2	2.1	2.0

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Group Camping Use Fee (Nightly): $30.00 Individual Site Camping Use Fee (Nightly): $15.00 Primitive Camping Zone Use Fee (Nightly): $15.00 Change fee: $15.00

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Ways in

Showing 40 of 68.

Basswood 1 — Campsite
Basswood 2 — Campsite
Basswood 3 — Campsite
Basswood 4 — Campsite
Basswood 5 — Campsite
Basswood 6 — Campsite
Basswood Site A — Group Site
Basswood Z1 — Zone
Bear Z1 — Zone
Cat 1 — Campsite
Cat Z1 — Zone
Devils 1 — Campsite
Hermit Z1 — Zone
Ironwood 1 — Campsite
Ironwood Z1 — Zone
Long 1 — Campsite
Mainland 1 — Campsite
Manitou 1 — Campsite
Manitou Z1 — Zone
Michigan 1 — Campsite
Michigan Z1 — Zone
North Twin Z1 — Zone
Oak 1 — Campsite
Oak 2 — Campsite
Oak 3 — Campsite
Oak 4 — Campsite
Oak 6 — Campsite
Oak Site A — Group Site
Oak Site B — Group Site
Oak Z1 — Zone
Otter 1 — Campsite
Otter Z1 — Zone
Outer 1 — Campsite
Outer Z1 — Zone
Raspberry Z1 — Zone
Rocky 1 — Campsite
Rocky 2 — Campsite
Rocky 3 — Campsite
Rocky 4 — Campsite
Rocky 5 — Campsite

More photos

A map of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore — Photo: NPS · Recreation.gov

Devils Island lighthouse and sea caves — Photo: NPS · Recreation.gov

Member photos

Add a photo

Common questions about Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits

Can you reserve a site at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits?: Yes, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits have?: 95 sites in total, of which 93 can be booked.
Are pets allowed at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits?: Yes, pets are allowed at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits.
Does Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits have hookups?: No hookups are recorded here.
Are campfires allowed at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits?: Campfires are allowed at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits

Namekagon 32.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
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Beaver Lake (Chequamegon-Nicolet NF, WI) 35.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Bayfield Headquarters 0.1 mi · Visitor Center
Little Sand Bay Visitor Center 9.8 mi · Visitor Center
Birch Grove Recreation Area 14.4 mi · Campground
Horseshoe Lake Recreation Area 20.9 mi · Facility
Iron River National Fish Hatchery 28.1 mi · Facility
Wanoka Lake Recreation Area 28.8 mi · Campground
Perch Lake Recreation Area 35.4 mi · Campground
Beaver Lake Recreation Area 35.5 mi · Campground
Rainbow Lake Wilderness 35.6 mi · Facility

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-07-11.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.