Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Photo Gallery

From mid-June to September, visitors to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore can tour four of six historic lighthouses, including 44-foot-tall Sand Island Lighthouse (pictured), which was constructed in 1881 using locally quarried stone. In 1885, keeper Charles Lederle spotted a burning ship and rowed miles on the open water to rescue its crew.  

Lakeshore Trail overlooks Keyhole Arch, a spectacular sea cave sculpted by waves and weather over hundreds of years. In summer, when conditions are calm, the lakeshore's caves are best seen by boat or kayak.  

In December the lakeshore morphs into a snowy playground. Touring the ice caves is a wintertime must. Waterfalls freeze in thick pillars at the entrance, while glittery icicles dangle from the cave walls and ceiling like crystal chandeliers.  

Eager hikers, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers tread a snow-covered path to the ice caves, roughly a mile from Meyer's Beach.  

A sandstone arch at Swallow Point makes a perfect platform for admiring Apostle Islands' snowy panorama.  

Time it right, and you can catch sunset framed by Keyhole Arch—a sought-out attraction at the mainland caves. A wide variety of habitats surround the sandstone caves, including old growth forest and lagoon, bog, and dune communities .  

The endangered piping plover nests on the lakeshore. This small, dark-collared shorebird scouts the beach for worms, shellfish, and insects.