The Apostle Islands have been a favorite for many years, and now you can take your family there. Camp among the tall trees at our cozy Little Sand Bay base, and do day paddles and day hikes with your family. There are many different activities to choose from, including hiking, ship wrecks, and light houses. You’ll enjoy the caves and pristine beaches from the comfort and safety of our 21-foot Grand San Juan family kayaks, or, if the mood fits, from our 24-foot “Voyageur” canoes. Enjoy a campfire at night at our safe and secluded base camp. Your kids will love it. Because of special support for our family trips, children 16 and under go for half fee on this trip.

Sample Itinerary

Please note: While the itinerary presented is an accurate depiction of what your trip will be like, it is only an example. Our trips are real adventures in the outdoors--not pre-packaged tours that happen on a schedule.

The Apostle Islands offer many fun activities to choose from, but much depends on how strong the wind is blowing and which direction it is coming from. On really windy days, we will stick to the land and take some great hikes. On calmer days we can venture out in Sea Kayaks. On windier days we may opt for our 24" Voyageur canoes.

DAY 1: Your trip starts in the early afternoon at Wilderness Inquiry's base in Little Sand Bay. Your family will learn how to set up camp, go over safety issues, and begin to explore this area full of beautiful hemlock and cedar trees. After dinner you'll get to know your trip mates and make s'mores around the campfire.

DAY 2: After breakfast, your guides will provide an orientation to our 21-foot sea kayaks, or our 24-foot voyageur canoes, similar to the canoes used during the fur trade. Depending on weather and the direction of the wind, paddle out to Sand Island where your family will get a chance to explore the vast chambers of the sea caves. After lunch on a sandy beach, paddle onward to the historic lighthouse on the northwest shore. Spend the evening back at base camp around the fire relaxing and listening to the stories about many of the Apostle Islands' shipwrecks.

DAY 3: After enjoying a hot cup of coffee or cocoa with breakfast, set out on another adventure. Options for the day include paddling out to explore the skeleton of the famous Fedora shipwreck near Buffalo Bay or a day hike out to view the Mawikwe sea caves from above. WI staff will lead structured activities for the children throughout the day and evening.

DAY 4: Spend the morning relaxing and doing your favorite activities. After lunch, pack up for the trip home. Your Apostle Islands adventure will end in the early afternoon, after one last lunch with new friends. Those using WI's van transportation can expect to return to Minneapolis in the evening.

Travel, Terrain, Etc...

TERRAIN/ROUTE CHOICES: Much of the time is spent along the beaches and shoreline of the islands, experiencing the shipwrecks and caves. The islands are made up of red sandstone, covered with a mixed forest of birch, pine, oak, and maple. Except for a few cliffs, the terrain is gentle and rolling. We have several activities to choose from, each revealing a different dimension of this archipelago. Wind and weather largely determine the actives, and storms may delay paddling.

TYPE OF TRAVEL/DISTANCE: You will be base-camping at WI's new Apostle Islands camp on this trip, and taking day trips from there. An average day's activities consist of hiking, canoeing and exploring the immediate area. You will travel in either 24-foot cedar strip canoes, which hold 6-10 paddlers, or our 21-foot Grand San Juan kayaks, which hold three persons. Outings typically consist of 2-5 hours, depending on weather conditions. Be prepared for the possibility of a wind bound day. To protect the environment, WI uses Leave No Trace camping techniques.

WEATHER: Temperatures in the summer months range from 45 F to 85 F. Rainfall can vary, but you should expect at least one day of rain. Weather in the area is strongly influenced by Lake Superior and can change suddenly.

LODGING/BATHROOM FACILITIES: This is a camping trip. At night you will sleep in a comfortable Eureka Timberline tent. Typically, there are 3 people per 4 person tent (although other arrangements can be made). We recommend that you bring your own personal sleeping bag and "camprest" foam core inflatable mattress (a limited number of sleeping bags and mattresses are available for individuals who need them). Bathroom facilities consist of an outhouse. You will be able to take a shower at our base at Little Sand Bay. We make every effort to ensure privacy and cleanliness.

GROUP SIZE: The group size ranges from 10 to 20 participants, plus 3 or more Wilderness Inquiry staff. Each group consists of people of various ages, backgrounds and abilities, including people with disabilities.

CAMP CHORES: Our trips are cooperative in nature. WI staff will assist you in whatever areas you need, however most people pitch in where they can. Part of the adventure involves learning about daily camp activities.

EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING: If you are new to outdoor activities, you need not spend a lot of money on gear. Wilderness Inquiry will provide all necessary kayaking and camping equipment. All you need to provide is your personal gear, such as clothing and a sleeping bag. A detailed equipment list will be sent to you upon confirmation of your participation. If you need to borrow personal gear, that can usually be arranged.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: No previous experience is needed to complete this trip. This trip is open to families with kids of all ages; however it is recommended for kids age 3 and older.

Wilderness Inquiry is proud to serve Caribou Coffee on all our trips. Great food, great coffee, and great company are just some of the ingredients that make Wilderness Inquiry trips special.

[ Dates & Fees ]      

The unique geological features, rich cultural heritage and diverse ecological system of the Apostle Islands has attracted visitors for centuries. One story says that Jesuit missionaries, believing that there were only 12 islands in this 21-island archipelago, named the region after the twelve apostles in the Bible. Another, quite different story is that they were named after a well-known band of pirates - the Apostles.

The history of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore predates these missionaries by eons, however, as the region's bedrock can be traced to Precambrian times. Nearly a billion years ago, sand and silt were deposited in this region via northwesterly flowing streams and rivers. Under the weight of additional layers the sediment slowly compacted and began to bond together.

These layers eventually experienced tremendous pressure as the ice age began and glaciers thousands of feet thick covered the forming sedimentary rock. The cycle of advancing and receding glaciers continued to shape the Apostles landscape until 10,000 years ago. Although the glacial activity formed much of what we see today, other dynamic processes continue as differential erosion alters the islands' beautiful sandstone arches, pillars and caves.

These geologic wonders are partly responsible for attracting the native inhabitants and present day visitors. The Chippewa, or Ojibwe, were the first people in recent history to inhabit the islands. Hunting, fishing and maple sugaring provided food and supplies, and were eventually traded with the Europeans. During the mid-1800's the islands' resources attracted European settlers and for 80 years these resources were seriously exploited. Brownstone was quarried and used to construct buildings and lighthouses, forests were cleared and turned into farmlands, commercial fishing increased and mills and mines were established.

By the time of The Great Depression, the islands' natural resources were scarce. While unfortunate for the people of the US, the Depression saved the archipelago as it all but stopped development of the islands.

Today, the islands, which were dedicated a National Lakeshore in 1970, are governed by the National Park Service. Ecological succession has returned this system to a natural balance and visitors enjoy abundant wildlife, heavily forested islands and geologic wonders worthy of the Park Service's protection.

 

For more information, visit these links:

National Park Service - Official Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Website

Wilderness Suitability Study for the Apostle Islands

"The Riddle of the Apostle Islands: How do you manage a wilderness full of human stories?" by William Cronon

The Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center

Support the Apostle Islands, join the Friends!

Bayfield Chamber of Commerce - There's lots to do in Bayfield!

[ Dates & Fees ]

2010 Dates		Fee	Youth Fee
09/02/2010 - 09/05/2010		$345	$172	Register Now
2011 Dates		Fee	Youth Fee
05/27/2011 - 05/30/2011		$345	$172	Register Now
07/01/2011 - 07/04/2011		$345	$172	Register Now
07/21/2011 - 07/24/2011		$345	$172	Register Now
07/28/2011 - 07/31/2011		$345	$172	Register Now
08/04/2011 - 08/07/2011		$345	$172	Register Now
08/11/2011 - 08/14/2011		$345	$172	Register Now
08/18/2011 - 08/21/2011		$345	$172	Register Now
09/01/2011 - 09/04/2011		$345	$172	Register Now
Transportation Meet your group at WI's property near Little Sand Bay, Town of Russell, WI on the afternoon of the first day of the trip. You can use your own transportation or use WI’s van transportation from Minneapolis. Most people meet us in Minneapolis at 7:30 am the morning of the first day of the trip. Detailed meeting place instructions will be sent to you when you are confirmed for the trip.
Meeting Places:		Additional Round-trip Fee:
Minneapolis, MN - WI Headquarters		$75 per person
Duluth - Thompson Hill		$50 per person
WI's Little Sand Bay Property		$0 (No charge)