Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Devils Island shoreline
Map showing the location of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Map showing the location of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Map showing the location of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Map showing the location of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
LocationAshland County and Bayfield County, Wisconsin, United States
Nearest cityBayfield, Wisconsin
Coordinates46°57′55″N 90°39′51″W / 46.96528°N 90.66417°W / 46.96528; -90.66417
Area69,540 acres (281.4 km2)[1]
EstablishedSeptember 26, 1970 (1970-September-26)
Visitors176,040 (in 2011)[2]
Governing bodyNational Park Service
WebsiteApostle Islands National Lakeshore

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a U.S. national lakeshore consisting of 21 islands (Apostle Islands) and shoreline encompassing 69,540 acres (28,140 ha)[1] 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. It is featured on the America the Beautiful Quarters series.

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is located in Bayfield, Wisconsin, on Lake Superior, the "largest, cleanest, and coldest of the Great Lakes."[3] The lakeshore comprises beaches, cliffs, water, and 21 islands.[4] Of its area, 42,308 acres is land and 27,232 acres is water, extending 1/4 mile from the 155 miles of shoreline.[5] Madeline Island, with commercial establishments of the town of La Pointe, is the only one of the Apostle Islands not included in the national lakeshore, although a portion of the island is protected as Big Bay State Park.

Ecologically, the islands contain some old growth, but primarily secondary Northern hardwood forest. There are elements of the oak, hickory, and hemlock hardwood forests of the eastern United States, but also features of the Boreal forest typical of Ontario. Larger wildlife on the islands and surrounding area include whitetail deer, black bear, red fox, and coyote. Smaller mammals such as squirrels, beaver, otter, snowshoe hare, and voles are also present. Avian species in the wilderness include waterfowl, ruffed grouse, and woodcock.

  1. ^ a b "Listing of acreage – December 31, 2011" (XLSX). Land Resource Division, National Park Service. Retrieved 2012-03-19. (National Park Service Acreage Reports)
  2. ^ "NPS Annual Recreation Visits Report". National Park Service. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  3. ^ "Making a Great Lake Superior!" (PDF). Environmental Protection Agency. Spring 2005. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  4. ^ "Apostle Islands National Lakeshore". National Park Service. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  5. ^ "Park Statistics - Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2024-07-12.