Apostle Islands

Wisconsin's ghost towns are lead mines, lumber towns, and cutover country that went back to forest.

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a U.S. national lakeshore consisting of 21 islands (the Apostle Islands) and shoreline encompassing 69,540 acres (28,140 ha) in northern 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. Of its area, 42,308 acres (17,121 ha) is land and 27,232 acres (11,020 ha) is water, extending one-quarter mile from the 155 miles (249 km) of shoreline.

The on-the-ground condition of Apostle Islands is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Apostle Islands is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.