Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Ice Caves
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Ice Caves
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Ice Caves
5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
232 reviews
Excellent
207
Very good
20
Average
5
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Ivy G
17 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Kayaking the Devil’s Island Sea caves was the highlight of our 10-day drive around Lake Superior. Getting deep inside the caves via kayak is breathtaking! We used Escape Excursion private boat charter to get to Devils island quickly (45 min each way), and spent 2 hours paddling among the caves. Captain Shelly was great, allowing us to explore at our own pace while she took some photos of us from her boat. We had a glorious afternoon in the Apostle Islands!
Written 8 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edward G
Washburn, WI34 contributions
Feb 2021
The caves are beautiful in the Summer, but about every third Winter they are spectacular. A few years ago tens of thousands of people came here. It is definitely worth a long trip. Also about February the lake freezes and you can drive over the ice to Madelaine Island. The locals contribute their Christmas Trees that mark the route.
Written 19 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaryRose
Eau Claire, WI66 contributions
Aug 2020
I took an Apostle Island cruise around the area and most of the islands. 3 hrs ride. Nice that this area is being managed.
Watching the few fishing and sailing boats come in at sunset while sipping a wine.....nice.
Watching the few fishing and sailing boats come in at sunset while sipping a wine.....nice.
Written 29 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
janice b
Taylor, MI138 contributions
Jun 2021
The weather was absolutely beautiful, not a cloud in the sky. We chose to do the 3 hour boat tour since we were only on a day trip from the Porcupine Mountains State Wilderness Park in Michigan. It was lovely! A relaxing , beautiful tour. It was great to be on the water, watching the scenery go by. I would like to go back and spend more time there. I would do more research on tours and kayaking. Bay field was a cute town and I could definitely spend more time exploring.
Written 25 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Esther A
Fair Grove, MO8 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
we walked the trail at the Meyers trailhead and although it is 3 miles roundtrip and is not "easy" walking the forest trail in July, the view at the end is worth the walk. The kayaks below entering the ice caves is a beautiful sight too.
The park management intends to keep the trails as natural as possible so there are few benches, no facilities, and the path is steep in places.
The park management intends to keep the trails as natural as possible so there are few benches, no facilities, and the path is steep in places.
Written 8 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carole O
5 contributions
Jul 2021
We hiked ten miles through the well maintained paths of this forest. Scenic overlooks provided breathtaking views of caves below. Crowds were minimal and Lake Superior, the perfect pristine backdrop. Only suggestion to future visitors would be to book kayaking reservations s ahead of time. Kayaking would afford a closer vantage of the caves.
Written 5 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim R
5 contributions
Jun 2022
Very comfortable boat; nice and helpful crew. Information supplied by the captain was very informative and brought the islands to life. Highpoint was the tunnel rock formations on Devil's Island. Thanks for the great trip.
Written 5 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carson
Neenah, WI157 contributions
Aug 2020
We hiked the lakeshore trail in the summer, beautiful views. I did not think it was a terrible hike, the first 0.7 miles is on a built wooden boardwalk, after that you walk about 1.25 miles mostly through a trial and a lot of up and down, rocks and steps and short, steep grades. Not bad for most but something to consider for very young kids or if you have walking issues. The views are definitely worth it though if you can make it and there are some stops looking directly over cliffs into caves.
Written 1 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PrairiePaddler
Wisconsin382 contributions
Jun 2020
Outstanding, definitely one of the better narrated scenic cruises we've experienced. Our 2-1/2 hour Grand Tour was conducted by a lifetime local resident who grew up on the water and had a wealth of information to share. The ice caves on Devil's Island alone are worth the trip.
Written 20 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vtxriders
Missouri486 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
This was a great hike. Lots of ups and downs but not difficult. Not necessarily for beginners either, unless you are in good shape. Definitely not kid oriented, although we did see some with toddlers in tow.
Do go past the first overview for additional beautiful views. It’s o my another .4 miles.
Do go past the first overview for additional beautiful views. It’s o my another .4 miles.
Written 14 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are going to Apostle Islands in June. Can you tell me the best way to explore the sea caves? Also, is there a protected are to kayak where you're not kayaking really far to be able to sea the caves that way as well?
Written 10 April 2021
Would you recommend the half or full day kayak tours? New to kayaking but fit couple. Wanting to experience the sea caves.
Written 17 August 2020
I'd suggest half-day, depending on wind conditions it will likely be arduous paddling through wind and currents. Alternatively, pack a nice picnic lunch (can pick up something in Bayfield) and plan to spend a little time on one of the islands before paddling back. Be sure to check with the rangers for recommendations for your first time out.
Written 18 August 2020
Hi there, when is the best time to go to Apostle island? We are thinking to go there in September, is it still warm enough for kayaking? Is 8 y.o. kid be allowed to kayak on that lake?
Thank you,
Luba
Written 16 August 2019
The water is at its warmest in late August/Early September. That said, its still not very warm. I cant help with an answer on the child, though I believe they would be.
Written 17 August 2019
What is the name of the boat company you too the cruise on? There are several listed and all have different reviews. Thanks!
Written 29 July 2019
Apostle islands cruises. We took the grand tour. Great informational fun tour. Very nice ride
Written 30 July 2019
Can you bike the national shoreline?
Written 30 January 2019
I brought my bike up to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore last summer and was not impressed with the biking options. I did not see any shoreline bike trails.
Written 30 January 2019
Is the water ever warm enough to swim in this area? We're looking at a last minute trip this weekend and would really enjoy swimming in the area lakes....if we wouldn't freeze. Thanks
Written 27 August 2018
It is cool about 65-70 degrees during the summer. If it is a warm day its very refreshing!
Written 28 August 2018
What was the name of your tour company?
Written 12 August 2018
Bayfield kayak and we did the full sea caves tour
Written 13 August 2018
We took the evening tour that takes you around the farthest point.
Written 25 August 2018
My assumption is that the ice caves or ice road will not be "ready" the week after Christmas. Do boats tours still run around the Apostle Islands? Is Madeline Island accessible by boat? If so, is anything on the island open? We get cold where I live and snow on occasion. But not serious cold or snow and I want to see WINTER!
Thank you
Written 19 September 2016
There is no way of knowing when the Ice Caves will be open. I believe the WI Dept. of Natural Resources or Parks post it when they are. Even if you can drive or if there is no ice boat to Madeline Island after Christmas almost everything is shut down. The same in Bayfield. Love this area, however I would not go there unless you want to just go for hikes, snow shoeing or skiing. But if you want to do that, the Irownwood, MI and Hurely WI are better areas for X country skiing/downhill and snow shoeing.
Written 20 September 2016
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