Ice Caves

Apostle Island ice caves formations in 2014. The last time the ice caves were accessible to visitors was in 2015.

NPS Photo

Ice Caves Status: Closed

The ice caves are currently inaccessible due to non-existant or unstable ice conditions. The last time the ice caves were accessible to visitors was in 2015.

For the ice caves to form and allow visitor access, there must be combination of low winds, persistent subzero temperatures, and thick, quality ice.

Note that NPS staff only provide updates when lake conditions allow access. If conditions haven’t been updated recently, it’s an indication that conditions haven’t changed and remain unfavorable for ice cave access.

Winter Activities When Ice Caves Are Inaccessible

For winter activities in the area, visit the Bayfield Chamber & Visitor Bureau winter recreation page.

 

About the Ice Caves

The ice caves are rare winter formations that form along the cliffs and sea caves of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore near Meyers Beach. As Lake Superior freezes, waves splashing against the rock and water seeping between sandstone layers form sculptures of ice.

When Will the Ice Caves Open?

The short answer is very rarely.

Conditions must be perfect for stable ice to form and allow access. Visitor safety is our first priority.

Read more about the rarity of access to the Apostle Islands ice caves.

 

The mainland ice caves have only been accessible on 2% of all days from 2000-2023.

NPS

How Rare is Rare?

The last time stable lake ice allowed access to the ice caves was for a brief nine-day period in 2015.

From 2000 to 2023, the Mainland Ice Caves were open for only 2 percent of all days. Moreover, most ice cave events since 2000 have occurred in just four years: 2004, 2008, 2009, and 2014.

What Are the Right Conditions?

To safely walk across the miles of Lake Superior's frozen surface to reach the ice caves, several conditions must align.

Conditions include sustained low winds to form an unbroken ice shelf, persistent subzero temperatures for strong ice formation, the ice shelf anchored to three land points, consistently frozen ground for the ice to adhere to land masses, and thick, quality lake ice that can support both people and emergency vehicles.

 

The recipe for accessing the mainland ice caves at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore calls for an extremely rare blend of conditions. With Lake Superior's unpredictability always in play, remember that visitor safety is our top priority.

NPS / Billy Flynn

Location Challenges

Wind and waves rippling across the largest lake in the world can quickly break up seemingly stable ice.

 

Left image
March 2014 MODIS satellite image of Lake Superior
Credit: NOAA CoastWatch: Great Lakes Node

Right image
March 2024 MODIS satellite image of Lake Superior
Credit: NOAA CoastWatch: Great Lakes Node

 

Left image
March 2014 MODIS satellite image of Lake Superior
Credit: NOAA CoastWatch: Great Lakes Node

Right image
March 2024 MODIS satellite image of Lake Superior
Credit: NOAA CoastWatch: Great Lakes Node

 

Ice is Dangerous

Lake ice is unpredictable. The webcam can be misleading.

The ice may look stable; however, without an ice shelf that extends miles from shore to protect the lake ice at the bottom of the cliff from the open lake, the ice you see can break apart quickly. Cold temperatures can form thick ice, but wind and waves can break up that ice in a matter of hours. The conditions at the caves can change in less time than it takes to walk there.

For example, on February 6, 2013, the park was ready to announce that the Ice Caves would open. However, by 8 a.m. the following day, the ice shelf began to break up. By 8 a.m. on February 8, the entire area was open water.

 

Webcam Comparison Showing Ice Shelf Breakup in Less Than 12 Hours

Top image
5 pm February 6, 2013
Credit: Sea Caves Watch

Bottom image
8 am February 7, 2013
Credit: Sea Caves Watch

 

How Will I Know if the Ice Caves are Accessible?

Park staff will update this page, our Facebook page, and the ice line in the rare event that the ice caves are accessible to visitors.

• Apostle Islands Facebook page
• Ice Line: [phone] x3

NPS staff monitor ice conditions on an ongoing basis. Note that NPS staff only provide updates when lake conditions allow safe access. If conditions haven’t been updated recently, it’s an indication that conditions haven’t changed and remain unfavorable for ice cave access.

 

NPS Photo

Winter Activities When Ice Caves Are Inaccessible

Even when the Ice Caves are inaccessible, there are many winter activities to enjoy in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and surrounding communities.

• Snowshoe and hike along the Lakeshore Trail
• Ski at nearby Mt. Ashwabay
• Explore the area on a fat tire bike

Visit the Winter Activities page on the Bayfield Chamber & Visitor Bureau for activities in the area.

 

2013 picture of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore ice caves.

NPS

 

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore ice caves viewed from the Lakeshore Trail.

NPS / A. Hernandez