Bayfield & Apostle Islands Travel Guide
Nestled on the shores of Lake Superior, Bayfield, Wisconsin, is a charming harbor town that serves as the gateway to the breathtaking Apostle Islands. Known for its vibrant marina, historic architecture, and artisan shops, Bayfield offers a perfect blend of small-town charm and outdoor adventure. Just offshore, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore boasts 21 forested isles with sea caves, sandy beaches, and some of the best kayaking in the Midwest. Whether you’re exploring the ice caves in winter or sailing under a summer sunset, this hidden gem in northern Wisconsin is a year-round destination for nature lovers and explorers alike.
where to stay
Bayfield is a very small town so you can stay almost anywhere in the city and still be close to everything or you can ferry to Madeline Island and stay there. The main thing to consider is if you want to camp or stay in a hotel or Airbnb.
Campsite recommendations: Apostle Islands Area Campground, Dalrymple Park (no reservations) or Big Bay State Park (on Madeline Island).
Hotel/Airbnb recommendations: St James Social (pricey), Queen’s View Bed and Breakfast (famous B&B in Bayfield, pricey), or have a true Bayfield experience and stay on this Airbnb sailboat!
Ashland, WI is another city that’s 30 minutes South you could consider looking into if you aren’t finding anything to your liking in Bayfield!
Know ahead of time
How Many Days To Spend There
A weekend is enough time to spend in Bayfield, WI. You’ll be able to explore the town, ferry to Madeline Island, maybe add in a hike all within a weekend stay!
Time of year to Visit
Bayfield is definitely a summertime destination. Fall also being up there with the changing colors and surrounding apple orchards. A lot of places close down or have shorter hours during the Winter. The ferry to Madeline Island runs frequently May – Sept and then much fewer times the rest of the months with limited to no access during the harsher winter months. Overall, May – Sept would be the best time to visit!
Things to Do
#1 – Visit Madeline Island
If you go to Bayfield, WI, you should definitely plan time to take the ferry over to Madeline Island! Madeline Island has shops, restaurants, beaches, hiking, Big Bay State Park, and more. There is lodging and camping if you want to stay on the island. You can ferry over your car, or just get a passenger ticket. It’s $21 roundtrip for a passenger ticket and $38 roundtrip to bring a car (campers, RV’s, etc. are more expensive). Find all the pricing here. The ferry runs at different times during different months so make sure you make a plan according to the ferry schedule.
#2 – Rent a Moped on Madeline Island
If you opt out of bringing your car but still want to explore the whole island, you can rent a moped at Motion To Go. They cost $30/hour, so it’s not the cheapest option but if you skip the price of bringing a car on the ferry, it’s not too bad. Also if you don’t have a WI State Park pass, you can skip paying that fee to get into Big Bay State Park because all mopeds come with a state park pass. It was such a fun and unique way to explore the island!
Motion To Go also rents e-bikes & regulars bikes as well if you want something more active/cheaper! It’s first come, first serve so be aware if you are going during a busy time, there is a chance they might sell out!
#3 – Big Bay State Park
Big Bay State Park is located on Madeline Island and offers gorgeous trails along the coast, tons of lovely viewpoints & picnic areas, beaches and camping.
#4 – Barrier Beach
If you’re looking for a nice beach to relax on, Barrier Beach in Big Bay State Park is huge and so serene!
#5 – Tom’s Burned Down Café
Also located on Madeline Island, Tom’s Burned Down Cafe has to be one of the most unique places I’ve ever been. It’s not a coffee shop like the name would make you think, but a dive bar. And the name rings true because it has been destroyed by a fire two different times! It’s decorated with hilarious bar signs like “Who were the testers for Preparation A through G?” and has been voted ‘Best Dive Bar’ and named one of the ‘Top 25 Best Beach Bars in the World’. Just be aware that they decide their own hours. The day I was there they were supposed to only be open 4-7pm but I got lucky and they opened early that day because it was nice out lol. During the busy tourist season, the hours are longer but I doubt they stay open if it’s bad weather because the whole place is outdoors.
#6 – Sea Caves Kayak Tour
Take a Sea Cave tour of the Apostle Islands. There are so many different tour options: half day, full day, overnight, sunset, etc. Some tours take you to the Apostle Islands off the coast, whereas the shorter ones keep you to the caves that are part of the coast. Depending on which tour you take, they can get a little pricey, the cheapest starting around $75 and going up from there. Trek & Trail was the tour company I got the most recommendations to use, followed up with Apostle Islands Rustic Makwa Den.
#7 – Apostle Islands Cruise
There are other ways to see the sea caves that don’t involve getting in a kayak like a cruise! Lot of different routes/options with Apostle Islands Cruises. This option is also cheaper than kayaking, with a price tag of $53/person.
#8 – Honest Dog Books
In the small town of Bayfield there are tons of cute shops, one of my favorites was Honest Dog Books. It’s such a unique bookstore and if you want to grab a cup of coffee and plop right down on a couch to read a book, you can do that!
#9 – Penny Print Studio
Penny Print Studio is an adorable print shop with illustrations created by local artists. There are fun souvenirs and other trinkets you can purchase as well.
#10 – Bayfield Maritime Museum
If you are in Bayfield June – Sept, check out the FREE Maritime Museum! It features Historical seafaring artifacts & exhibits in a fun, high-ceilinged building.
#11 – Stroll around the Marina
The marina is home to a ton of sailboats, which I don’t see very often so I took a nice stroll along the docks to look at all the fun sailboats!
#12 – Drinks at Bayfield Inn Rooftop
The rooftop at Bayfield Inn has some of the best views of the Chequamegon Bay, Madeline Island, sailboats, and more! If you’ve spent the day exploring, take a pitstop here to rest your feet and relax as you look out at the beautiful scenery.
#13 – Beach Day at Meyers Beach
About 20 minutes Northwest of Bayfield is the gorgeous Meyers Beach. Lots of sea cave tours kick off from here. There is a $5 fee to park here!
Hikes
Lakeshore Trail
If there is one hike you do while visiting Bayfield, make it this one! It’s a very family-friendly hike with tons of views of sea caves. I would consider it an Easy hike due to almost no elevation, the distance however is a bit longer so it’s listed as Moderate. There is a $5 fee to park!
Distance: 4.5 miles out and back
Elevation Gain: 196 ft
Level: Moderate
More info here
Point Trail
You can either do a Loop or Out and Back on Point Trail. I started at the Overlook Picnic Area and went about mile in and then turned around and stayed on the same trail that hugged the coastline so that I could have views of the water and rock formations! The loop trail brings you into the woods for half of it so it just depends on what you’re looking for.
Distance: Varies depending on which route you go, 1.5 miles – 3 miles
Elevation Gain: 42 ft
Level: Easy
More info here
More Hikes
Lost Creek Falls
I didn’t have time to squeeze this hike in but it was the second most recommended hike after the Lakeshore Trail! The trail takes you to waterfalls. According to some of the AllTrails reviews, sometimes the falls aren’t as crazy if there hasn’t been a ton of rain so heads up on that!
Distance: 2.2 miles out and back
Elevation Gain: 216 ft
Level: Moderate
More info here
Casper Trail
If you go to Madeline Island but stick around the La Pointe area, you can walk to this fairly easy trail from La Pointe. I didn’t get a chance to do it but they say there are “fairies” on this trail (AKA I believe you can find little fairy villages that people have built).
Distance: 2.5 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 59 ft
Level: Easy
More info here
Restaurants
Hoops Fish & Chips Dockside
Casual fish restaurant offering lightly breaded fried fish and live music.
Pickled Herring
Fish frys and comfort fare with great views of the lake.
Manypenny Bistro
Casual restaurant and bar featuring wood-fired pizzas and other dishes plus beer and wine
Grandpa Tony’s
Located on Madeline Island offering up comfort food, pizza and ice cream.
Coffee Shops
Wonderstate Coffee
It’s a good thing this coffee shop serves up good coffee because it’s pretty much your only option in Bayfield! I went twice and loved their cold brew!
Mission Hill Coffee House
This coffee shop is on Madeline Island and I don’t like talking bad about small businesses but this place was not my favorite. However, if you need your caffeine fix, it’ll do the job.
