You can enjoy nature on two of the five Great Lakes while island camping in northern Wisconsin. Rock Island State Park, at the northeastern tip of Door County on Green Bay, is a secluded island setting with miles of hiking trails and views of Lake Michigan. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, located in Lake Superior off the northern shore of Wisconsin's Bayfield and Ashland counties, offers canoing, kayaking and hiking as well as camping..
Rock Island State Park
Rock Island State Park is located in Door County, Wisconsin, on the Door Peninsula, which shields Green Bay from the rest of Lake Michigan. The park itself is on Rock Island, a 912-acre refuge that allows no motorized vehicles other than park vehicles. The island has 40 campsites, and you should reserve early to ensure a spot. There are pit toilets, fire rings and picnic tables, with running water at the dock and boathouse. Miles of hiking trails, a lighthouse and a mile-long sand beach beckon to visitors.
Getting to Rock Island
Visitors to Rock Island take a ferry from the town of Northport on the mainland to Washington Island. From there, you cross to the other side of the island and take another ferry to Rock Island. You can bring your car on the ferry to Washington Island and park it there. You also can bring your bike to Rock Island. You can take your own boat to Rock Island, where docking fees are $1 per foot of boat per night, as of 2010.
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a treasure located at the southwestern end of Lake Superior. The park includes 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland lakeshore. Opportunities abound for the camping and outdoor enthusiast, including hiking, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving, fishing, birdwatching and sightseeing.
Camping on the Apostle Islands
Eighteen of the 21 islands offer camping, and all campgrounds take reservations, which are recommended. You also need a camping permit. Individual campsites for one to seven people cost $10 per night, as of 2010. Group sites for eight to 20 people cost $20 per night. Fifteen of the islands have special camping zones for backcountry camping. The National Park Service handles all reservations and fees. See the References section for a link to the Apostle Islands website.
Activities
Hiking is extremely popular on the Apostle Islands, and there are more than 50 miles of trails within the park, on the mainland and on the islands. Many trails go to interesting sights, including lighthouses, abandoned quarries, ruins of farmhouses, fishing and lumber camps, and incredible views of the natural beauty of Lake Superior and the other islands. Scuba diving, kayaking and canoeing are also popular with visitors to the park. Divers need a free diving permit to dive within the park. Kayakers often explore the sea caves on the mainland. There is a ban on powerboats within the park. For more information on trails, scuba diving and kayaking, see the Apostle Island site in References.
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