Pets at Apostle Islands

Leashed pets are welcome on trails, beaches, and in campgrounds in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

Pets are welcome at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, and with your help, we can keep the park safe and enjoyable for everyone. To protect wildlife and ensure a positive experience for all visitors, pets must follow a few simple rules. Leashes are required everywhere, including beaches and in the water. Pet waste must be picked up and disposed of properly. Pets are not allowed inside buildings, and they may not disturb wildlife or other visitors. Before you explore the islands with your pet, take a moment to review the guidelines below so you can plan a safe, responsible visit.

General Pet Guidelines

Leashes

Keep pets on a leash no longer than 6 feet (2 meters) at all times, including when swimming. This protects wildlife, other visitors, and your pet.

Pet Waste

You must pick up and properly dispose of all pet waste, including on beaches.

Leaving Pets Unattended

Do not leave pets unattended in vehicles or tied to any object. Even on mild days, temperatures inside cars can rise quickly.

Food Storage

Store pet food as you would store human food—in your vehicle or in a bear‑resistant locker. Improper storage can attract bears and other wildlife.

Noise

Pets may not make excessive noise. Barking, howling, or other sounds that disturb visitors or wildlife are prohibited.

 

Where Pets Are Allowed and Not Allowed

Pets Are Allowed:

• Trails throughout the park
• Campgrounds on the mainland and islands
• Beaches, including while swimming (leash still required)
• Most outdoor areas, as long as all rules, including leashing and waste disposal, are followed

Pets Are Not Allowed:

• Any park building, including lighthouses and historic structures
• Areas temporarily closed to protect wildlife, such as piping plover nesting sites
• Any location where posted signs indicate pets are prohibited

Service animals, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, are permitted in all areas open to the public.

Pets on Beaches

Pets are allowed on beaches but must remain leashed at all times, including in the water. Allowing pets to chase birds or harass wildlife is prohibited and may result in a citation. Please carry pet waste off the beach.

Protecting Piping Plovers

Apostle Islands is home to endangered piping plovers. With only a small number of breeding pairs remaining in the wild, every nest is important. Dogs can disturb or harm plovers even when leashed.

• Keep pets far from plovers and nesting areas.
• Prevent dogs from running in dune or beach habitat where plovers nest.
• Never allow unleashed pets in these areas; they may step on nests or frighten adults away from eggs.

 

Service Animals

Service animals are allowed in all facilities and on trails unless an area has been closed by the superintendent to protect park resources.

The 2010 revision to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service animal "as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability." Dogs which are not trained to perform tasks that mitigate the effects of a disability, including dogs that are used to purely provide comfort or emotional support (therapy animals) are considered pets.