You Won't Believe This Town Is In Wisconsin

Imagine stumbling upon a town with wave-sculpted sea caves, island chains, and wide sandy beaches, all in the middle of the Midwest. Although it might sound like something you could only find on the Pacific or Atlantic coast, this unexpected destination exists in Bayfield, Wisconsin. If you are looking for a vacation filled with sunbathing, kayaking, and cruising, Bayfield will offer you an experience that you would never expect to find in the Badger State.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Just north of the Bayfield Peninsula in Lake Superior, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore features 21 beautiful islands and 12 miles of scenic shoreline. The park, which was founded in 1970, is filled with sandy beaches, sea caves, and one of the National Park system’s largest collections of lighthouses. Travelers hoping to explore these islands have several ways to do so, one of the most popular being a kayaking tour. For a safe and enjoyable excursion, booking a tour with an authorized kayak outfitter is essential. Apostle Islands Rustic Makwa Den is a great choice, a veteran-owned small business offering tours that explore the islands’ red cliffs, Meyers Beach, and the caves by night.

If you enjoy camping, the national lakeshore also permits camping on 18 of the 21 islands, along with a mainland campsite that is accessible via kayak or a 6-mile hike. Campers can choose between individual campsites, primitive camping zones, and group campsites, depending on their preferences and group size.

The Sea Caves

The Sea Caves are among the most impressive attractions in the Apostle Islands. Shaped over centuries by freezing, thawing, and relentless wave action, they have been carved from sandstone into vaulted chambers, intricate arches, and honeycomb-like passageways. When conditions are calm, kayakers can paddle into the caves and explore their depths, appreciating the incredible formations that lie within, with outfitters such as the aforementioned Apostle Islands Rustic Makwa Den offering tours.

Another way to explore these caves is by cruise. Apostle Islands Cruise Service provides tours through the sea caves and cliffs during the summer, with tours that include explorations of Devils Island or the mainland sea caves. There is also a trailhead at the Meyers Beach parking lot that overlooks the sea caves. The trail extends for about four and a half miles, with the first sea cave overlook sitting at about the two-mile mark.

Ice Caves

On very rare occasions in winter, visitors may have the chance to witness the Apostle Islands’ ice caves. These formations only appear when a perfect combination of consistent subzero temperatures, low winds, and thick ice occurs. When they do, the seaside cliffs are transformed into an arctic scene, with pillars of ice stretching from top to bottom, frozen waterfalls, and countless needle-like icicles filling the caves. The formations inside change from chamber to chamber each day, ensuring that no two visits are the same.

However, their accessibility is exceptionally limited. The last time National Park Service staff deemed conditions safe for entry was in 2015. Between 2000 and 2023, the mainland ice caves were accessible just 2% of the time, highlighting how rare this phenomenon truly is. If the perfect conditions align again one day, perhaps you will be able to partake in this unforgettable experience as well.

Beaches

Bayfield and the Apostle Islands have many miles of untouched, sandy beaches to explore. For a beach close to town, Halvor Reiten Park and Public Beach is a great option. Located at the end of Broad Street and Wilson Avenue, it has a designated swimming area and a picnic spot for enjoying lunch in the sun. If you are up for a ferry ride, Big Bay State Park is nearby as well. This park features a mile and a half of sandy beaches, picnic areas, and a campground, along with roughly seven miles of boardwalk and hiking trails. About 16 miles northwest of Bayfield, visitors can reach Meyers Beach, a popular spot for sunbathing in the summer and visiting the sea caves.

There is so much about Bayfield that feels almost unreal. The beautifully sculpted sea caves are already impressive enough on their own. However, when conditions are just right, the mystical ice caves appear, offering the chance for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to view the arctic formations. In the spring and summer, sandy beaches like Halvor Reiten Park and Big Bay State Park are just as incredible, especially for those who prefer to spend their vacation in the sunshine. No matter what catches your attention, you are bound to discover something unforgettable in Bayfield.