Accessibility

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (APIS) is dedicated to enhancing accessibility for all visitors. The National Park Service (NPS) strives to make its facilities, programs, information, and services accessible and usable for everyone.

Accessibility encompasses a range of needs, including mobility, vision, and hearing. APIS is committed to accommodating diverse accessibility requirements across the Lakeshore. In recognition of these efforts, the park received the “Accessibility Excellence” award in 2017 for its well-designed, accessible campsites on Sand Island and at Quarry Bay on Stockton Island.

Visitor Center Accessibility

Bayfield Visitor Center and Headquarters

There are 3 accessible parking spots. There is a ramp entrance on the west side of the building with an accessible, push button operated door. The women’s bathroom also has an accessible door. An elevator is available on the east side of the building. (During winter months, when the visitor center is closed, please call (715) 779-3398 x0, during business hours for elevator access)

The front desk was remodeled in 2017 to accommodate wheelchairs and smaller persons. The park film is open captioned. In addtion, a large print text script and hearing devices are available upon request. The Interagency Access Pass is available at the visitor center for those who qualify. Access Pass holders will receive a discount for parking, docking, camping, and interpretive services at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

Little Sand Bay Visitor Center

There are accessible parking spots on the east side of the visitor center as well as in the main parking lot, near the restrooms. A paved path leads to the visitor center and to the Twilite exhibit. Restrooms in the main parking lot are accessible.

The visitor center (new in 2020) has a push button operated, accessible door at the main entrance. The new custom built front desk is designed to accomodate wheelchairs and smaller persons. The new outdoor exhibits are fully audio described and the audio portions include transcriptions. Audio description and transcription are available from the front desk upon request or can be found on the Little Sand Bay Exhibits page.

There is also an accessible ramp to a viewing platform with binoculars on the NPS dock, and a ramp down to the beach at the NPS kayak launch area.

Accssible Camping

Accessible campsites are located on Stockton Island and Sand Island. All sites have a wooden tent pad, a boardwalk leading from the dock to the campsites, and vault toilets located near each location which can accommodate wheelchairs. Accessible picnic tables, fire rings, and bear lockers are at each location. During the summer, potable water may be available along the boardwalk at Presque Isle and Sand Island.

Stockton Island Accessible Campsites

• Stockton Island - Quarry Bay
  • Group site A and B
• Stockton Island - Presque Isle
  • Individual site #1

Sand Island Accessible Campsites

• Sand Island - East Bay
  • Group site C
  • Individual site #3

Camping permit reservations are required and must be made in advance by visiting Recreation.gov.

Accessible Hiking & Viewpoints

Sand Island Hiking

The trail on Sand Island, stretching from East Bay to the Sand Island Lighthouse, is being transformed into an accessible boardwalk. As of 2024, one mile of this accessible boardwalk has been completed. The ultimate goal is to extend the boardwalk to the lighthouse grounds at the northern end of Sand Island, covering a total distance of two miles.

Stockton Island Hiking

An accessible ramp from the Presque Isle Bay marina leads to accessible restrooms, the Stockton Island visitor center, and an accessible group gathering space on Stockton Island.

Little Sand Bay Viewpoint

The accessible viewing platform and ramp at the Little Sand Bay marina offers an inclusive experience. The wooden deck, located along the edge of the marina, features wide pathways and sturdy railings, making it easy for people using wheelchairs or mobility devices to navigate. The platform provides clear sightlines across Lake Superior, and a binocular viewer is placed thoughtfully lower to the ground for use by those in a wheelchair.

Accessible Exhibits

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore works to incorporate universal design and accessible standards into our exhibits, so all visitors can gain the same information and experience. This may include visual, audio, and hands on components.

Little Sand Bay Exhibits

Exhibits at the Little Sand Bay Visitor Center are all outdoors, to allow for year round visitation. Exhibits are broken into three main areas: the fish tug: Twilite, the visitor center patio, and the kiosk. The Twilite exhibits tell the story of commercial fishing and the challenges of making a living in this area, as well as showcase the restored fish tug: Twilite, completed in 2019. Patio exhibits tell the stories of Little Sand Bay, a gathering place for generations, and provides a detailed satellite map of the Apostle Islands and region. The kiosk shares park information as well as vital kayak safety information.

While the majority of these exhibits are made up of panels with photos and text, there are three audio components, as well as, a hands-on, 3-D bronze terrain model of the Apostle Islands and a variety of rocks found along the shorelines.

Transcription

There are three audio components which accompany the exhibits. Each "audio box" contains 6 messages, ranging in length from one to two minutes. Use the following links for transcriptions of the audio messages:

• Life on the Lake (Located at the Twilite)
• Stories from the Landscape (Located next to the large map)
• Little Sand Bay Stories (Located at the Patio)

Official Park Map and Brochure

The official park map and brochure is available at most visitor contact locations throughout the park, including visitor centers and staffed islands (during the summer months). The park brochure is also available in a variety of formats: Braille, audio description or text-only. You can also to request a paper copy be mailed to you.