Apostle Islands Trip

2025 Apostle Islands kayak camping and paddling trip plans!

For 2025, NEWP has decided to take a different approach to our annual Apostle Islands trip due to the addition of an Isle Royale trip for many of our members, and the addition of a Pictured Rocks club trip. Instead of competing in the lottery for a group campsite in the Apostle Islands, we may overlay our already scheduled Bayfield Gathering with a smaller group Apostle Islands paddle. The smaller group would start from Little Sand Bay with a goal of reaching Devil’s Island, using individual campsites along the way. Since those campsites cannot be reserved more than 30 days in advance, trip plans will develop a bit later. Angie Lent will lead the Apostle Islands trip, if it goes forward and can be reached at [email protected].

Miles: varies each day

Challenges: weather; packing ALL gear into kayaks; possible long paddle days.

Fee: TBD

Register: Current NEWP and ACA membership required. To join, see the membership page.

Registration and payment options will be set up if this trip is scheduled. Please check back later.

Pay for the event
(if you have not already).

SAFETY FIRST

All participants must wear a personal flotation device (PFD or lifejacket) at all times while on the water.
No alcoholic beverages are allowed on the paddle or during lunch stops.

Confirmed Participants

Membership status confirmed; forms submitted and payments submitted.

Angie Lent
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Trip 2: ___-___ (_______)

NEWP is offering one Apostle Islands group trip in 2024 following the same format as past years. A reservation has been made for Stockton Island Group Campsite B for three nights, Thursday July 25 through Sunday July 28. NEWP will also host a Bayfield Gathering event this year, with land-based camping at Little Sand Bay from August 11 through August 15 and featuring daytrips to various island destinations or shoreline venues.

Group camping permits require a minimum of 8 and allow a maximum of 21 participants. Based on past trip experience, we intend to limit the size of each trip to sixteen participants. Although participants must meet the stated experience, boat and equipment criteria stated on this page, our goal is to mix experienced paddlers with “first-timers” in each trip. If more than sixteen people register for a trip, we will start a wait list in case any of the first sixteen are not able to make the trip.

Further trip details will be updated below on this page as they develop.

NEWP club trips provide an opportunity for experienced paddlers together with newer paddlers to safely enjoy a few days of great paddling and camping in the beautiful Apostle Islands. For many participants over the years, our club trip has been a “first” experience paddling extensively in the Great Lakes, and often also for camping with only the equipment and supplies that can be packed into a kayak.

We select destinations and campsite locations to offer a variety of paddle destinations, hiking and other activity options based on weather and paddle conditions. Ken Braband’s short video clip from our 2019 trip to Sand Island, or his long version with participant interviews provides a good trip overview. For more information check out the Apostle Islands website.

Trip Plan Information

Camping will be on Stockton Island at Group Campsite B Thursday July 25 through Sunday July 28. The Trip Leader is Angie Lent. Here is the anticipated trip timeline:

Travel to Bayfield, WI on Wednesday 7/24.
- Overnight accommodations for Wednesday night 7/24 are each individual’s responsibility, but we will help facilitate collaboration.
  - Angie, Tom and Mike at Little Sand Bay campground
  - Richard, Greg, Scott and Jeff at Washburn hotel
  - Terry and Aubrey at area campgrounds
- PADDLE OPTION – Some participants may time their travel to meet at Meyers Beach and tour the mainland sea caves (parking fee) if paddle conditions are favorable or do a Chequamegon Bay shoreline paddle.
- DINNER OPTION: 6 PM at Mannypenny Bistro, 201 Manypenny Ave, Bayfield, WI 54814
Launch day Thursday 7/25. Meet at 8 AM at Washington Avenue Beach in Bayfield to pack boats then launch and paddle to Stockton Island Group Site B. (13 miles).
- Overnight parking in City-designated sites (map here); fee will be reimbursed by NEWP
- Paddle route along west side of Basswood Island with short stop at Basswood dock; lunch break on Hermit Island en route.
- Set up camp, share dinner and enjoy island life!
Days 2 and 3 (Friday 7/26 and Saturday 7/27): Daytrips to visit Michigan Island lighthouse, the Stockton Island sea caves/singing sands/nature center. (Manitou Fish Camp is closed due to dock repairs.) Some hiking is available on Stockton Island; trail to Presque Isle is closed due to bridge washout.
Return to Bayfield on Sunday 7/28: Break camp and planned launch to return to Washington Avenue Beach in Bayfield at 9 AM; pack up and drive home.
Apostle Islands Current Conditions: The National Park Service maintains a web page with current conditions or situations that may impact traveling and camping in the islands. Here is a link to that page: Current Conditions – Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Stockton Island Group Campsite B Information

This site is located in Quarry Bay, 600 feet from the Stockton Island dock and is situated on a wooden platform. Vault toilet facilities are nearby. Two picnic tables, a fire ring and two food lockers are on the site, also on a raised wooden platform. Well water is not available at this site so we will filter Lake Superior water for cooking and drinking.

All tents must be set up on the raised wooden platform. Some special platform “hooks” are provided at the platform site. Additional hooks can be purchased in advance.

Apostle Island Group Campsite Information for Oak Island Group Campsite B

This site is 50 yards west of the dock and adjacent to the volunteer cabin. 2 picnic tables, a fire ring, food locker and vault toilet are nearby. We will filter our own water supply for cooking and drinking.

Participant Qualifications and Preparation

To ensure participants meet fitness qualifications and equipment requirements, all participants must complete at least one two-hour group paddle. This will:

Expose the participant to the physical requirements of an extended crossing. We will be prepared to stay in the kayaks for the full trip.
Confirm each participant’s ability to make the trip.
Verify that the kayak and equipment are suitable for a Lake Superior trip.
Practice/test paddles are listed on the Practice Paddles page.
Other opportunities to paddle in “big water” conditions:
- Wednesday night Lake Michigan/ Green Bay paddles
- Others TBD

Trip Leaders

Trip leaders will have authority over all participants on water trips or activities.
If the trip leaders believe that due to weather or water conditions it is unsafe to proceed with a trip or activity, they may restrict or cancel that trip or activity.
Note that past trip weather and wave conditions have resulted in early return trips or change to land-based daytrips.

Safety Considerations

Water Crossings, Trips and Activities:
- No solo on-water crossings, trips or activities will be allowed.
- All on water activities will be done in groups with designated lead paddlers. Groups must be three or greater paddlers.
Equipment
- Trip leaders have final approval of all participating kayaks and equipment.
- All kayaks, equipment and clothing must be suitable for Lake Superior paddling.
- Kayaks must have flotation or bulkheads, deck-lines and be fitted with spray skirts. If the kayak does not have bulkheads the use of and knowledge of how to use sea socks is required.
- Inflatable PFDs are not acceptable for this trip.
- Participants are encouraged to acquire and become familiar with safety equipment such as paddle floats, radios, tow ropes, spare paddle etc.
- Night paddling is not planned, however paddlers should be prepared in case a night paddle becomes necessary. Coast Guard rules require everyone to have a visual light source such as a laser flare or three traditional flares, a sound source (whistle) and a white light source (head lamp) to display in the presence of moving boat traffic.
Paddle Clothing – Lake Superior is COLD!
- Practice self and group rescues; review the video Cold Water Boot Camp.
- Bring suitable cold water paddling gear, wetsuit, dry suit, splash jacket, gloves, etc.
- Dress to confidently function in cold weather and in case of cold-water immersion.
Alcohol and Drugs
- NO ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION WILL BE ALLOWED WHILE PADDLING.
- NO ILLEGAL DRUGS WILL BE ALLOWED.

Meals and Camping

Participants are responsible for their own camping and cooking. However, we will coordinate “group cook” dinners each night for those that wish to participate. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are on your own. Group dinner meal leaders:

- Night 1 – Tom & Greg Team – Jambalaya
- Night 2 – Richard & Mike – Stir Fry (tentative)
- Night 3 – Jeff & Scott Team – White chicken chili

Black bears are active in the Apostle Islands and occasionally present a problem. Steel “bear boxes” are provided at the group campsite and must be used to store all food, toiletry or clothing that smells of food.

Trip Goal

The trip goal is to have a fun, safe outing. Because of the nature of Lake Superior, safety will be the primary factor. Due to possible weather and wind conditions on Lake Superior, there is no guarantee that events or activities will happen as planned. Participants must be flexible and be prepared for changes in events and timing.

Park Rules

All Apostle Island National Lakeshore rules must be followed. All participants will be expected to follow the “Leave No Trace” practices. Burning of garbage, cigarette butts or other waste is not allowed in the fire area. Questions? Contact Jeff M. at [email protected].

Participants Must

Be a current ACA and NEWP member.
Have taken a NEWP class or be known by one of the lead paddlers to have the requisite skills and training for the planned trip.
Complete the event form, ACA waiver and submit the event fee.
1. The fee will cover event expenses and purchase of trip safety equipment.
2. In the event a participant cannot make the outing and a qualified replacement is willing to take their place, the fee will be refunded.
3. If the event is cancelled due to conditions beyond our control, any remaining funds after paying expenses will be refunded proportionately. The participant can choose to donate their refund to the club for the purchase of safety equipment.