Fees & Passes

Key Information

1. Parking/transportation fees are possible

   You may need to pay for parking, or for a shuttle, ferry, or other transportation while visiting the park.

   More about parking/transportation fees

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore does not have an entrance fee. However, there are fees for camping, docking, interpretive programs, parking at some locations, and for special recreation permits.

2024 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:

• Monday, January 15 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Saturday, April 20 — First Day of National Park Week
• Wednesday, June 19 — Juneteenth
• Sunday, August 4 — The Great American Outdoors Act
• Saturday, September 28 — National Public Lands Day
• Monday, November 11 — Veterans Day

 

Sailing next to Devils Island.

NPS/Photo

 

Park Fees

Enhanced Amenity Fees - Recreation User Fees

NPS recreational user fees were implemented at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in 2007. After extensive public involvement, these fees were approved by the NPS national office. The current fee schedule (below) went into effect January 1, 2016. Fees help pay for projects around the Lakeshore and services, particularly during ice cave events.

 

Camping
Individual site or primitive camping zone, per night	$15
Group site, per night	$30
Camping reservation fee (per trip)	$10
Docking
Overnight docking, boats less than 40 feet	$15
Overnight docking, boats 40 feet and greater	$30
Interpretive Programs
Regularly scheduled on or off-site, per child (up to age 16)	$3
Regularly scheduled on or off-site, per adult	$5
Regularly scheduled on or off-site, per family	$10
Parking
Vehicle length includes length of a trailer Meyers Beach day use, vehicle length less than 20 feet (including trailer)	$5
Meyers beach day use, vehicle length 20 feet or greater	$8
Meyers Beach annual parking pass, vehicle length less than 20 feet	$25
Meyers Beach annual parking pass, vehicle length greater than 20 feet	$40
Bayfield HQ overnight	Free
Bayfield HQ special event	NA
Little Sand Bay	Free
Special Recreation Permit
Ice Cave Event Fee (child)	Free
Ice Cave Event Fee (over age 16)	$5
Ice Cave Event Fee season pass (over age 16)	$10

 

Recreation.gov Scan & Pay QR code

Recreation.gov Mobile App

Use the Recreation.gov Mobile App to save time while planning your trip. You can make camping reservations and use the Scan & Pay feature to quickly pay your parking or docking fees. By downloading the Recreation.gov Mobile app in advance you can avoid issues with cell connectivity and enjoy your trip. Make your visit a little easier this summer with the Recreation.gov Mobile App and Scan & Pay! Download the app on the Apple App Store, Google Play, or scan the Scan & Pay QR code.

 

Fee station at Little Sand Bay dock

NPS Photo

Scan & Pay

With the Recreation.gov Mobile App feature Scan & Pay paying your parking and docking fees at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore has never been easier! Parking and docking fees are good for the day of purchase. Once you are ready to pay follow these easy steps:

1. Download the Recreation.gov Mobile App for Apple or Android (already have it? Proceed to Step 2!)

2. Open the Recreation.gov Mobile App.

3. Select “Scan” at the bottom of the app screen.

4. Select “Scan QR Code”.

5. Scan the appropriate QR code located on the fee stations at Meyers Beach and docking areas on the islands.

6. Follow the prompts to proceed to payment. (No service? No problem! Payment will process once back in service.)

7. Fill out the envelope receipt and place it on your boat or car window where readable.

*No refunds will be issued.

 

Interagency and National Lakeshore Pass Information:

• Interagency Passes are available at the Bayfield Visitor Center.
• The America the Beautiful Interagency Senior Lifetime Pass, Interagency Senior Annual, or Interagency Access Pass (previously called the Golden Age and Golden Access Passports) provide a 50% discount on federal recreational user fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, docking, parking, and tours.
• Discounts will not be offered on the purchase of season passes.
• Only the pass signee is entitled to the 50% price reduction.
• Annual Meyers Beach parking passes will not be available to organizations under Commercial Use Authorizations or Special Use Permits.
• FLREA Section 11(b) permits NPS to waive or discount fees in exchange for significant volunteer services.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Fees and Passes at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

1. Is there an entrance fee?

No. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore does not charge an entrance fee, but does have expanded amenity fees. These fees apply to overnight docking, parking at Meyer's Beach Road, lighthouse tours, and camping.

2. Is my Interagency Pass good at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?

Since there is no entrance fee, the Interagency Pass is not usable for entrance fees at this Park. However, the Interagency Senior Lifetime Pass, Interagency Senior Annual Pass, & the Interagency Access Pass will provide the owner a 50% discount on certain fees (see more below, in question 6).

3. How do I pay for overnight docking?

Use the Recreation.gov app Scan & Pay feature.
There are also fee payment station at most docks in the Park. Fill out a fee envelope at the station, according to the instructions on the envelope. Place payment inside the envelope, or write your credit card number on the envelope where indicated. Write the date on the removable receipt, and place the receipt in a boat window where it is visible. Place the envelope with your payment in the fee safe slot.

4. How do I pay for parking at Meyer's Beach Road?

Use the Recreation.gov app Scan & Pay feature.
There is also a fee payment station at Meyer's Beach Road parking lot during the summer season. Fill out a fee envelope according to the instructions on the envelope. Place payment inside the envelope, or write credit card number on the envelope where indicated. Write the date on the removable receipt and place it on the dashboard, so it can be easily seen and read. Place the envelope with payment in the fee safe slot.

5. What do I do if I'm at the fee station and don't have any money or correct change?

Use the Recreation.gov app Scan & Pay feature.
Or, payment can be made with a credit card by writing the card number and expiration date on the envelope. Payment can also be made at a later time in person at the Park's headquarters Visitor Center in Bayfield, or by mailing the envelope to: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore ATTN: Fees, PO Box 770, Bayfield, Wisconsin 54814.

6. Does my Senior Pass (or Golden Age Pass) or my Access Pass cover fees?

Since Apostle Islands National Lakeshore doesn't charge an entrance fee, the pass is not used for that purpose here. The Senior Lifetime Pass, the Senior Annual Pass, & the Access pass does provide the pass owner a 50% discount on other fees in the Park, including camping, lighthouse tours, Meyer's Beach Road parking, and overnight docking. In these cases, the discount only applies to the pass holder.

7. Is my State Park sticker or my U.S. Forest Service sticker good at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?

No. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a unit of the National Park System, and is not a state park or a national forest. Only the Meyer's Beach Road parking pass work for Park fees. The Senior Lifetime Pass, the Senior Annual Pass, & the Access pass does provide the pass owner a 50% discount on other fees in the Park, including camping, lighthouse tours, Meyer's Beach Road parking, and overnight docking. In these cases, the discount only applies to the pass holder.