There are 2 National Parks in Wisconsin along with two affiliated sites. Wisconsin is home to abundant lakes including two of the Great Lakes, forest and rugged hills perfect for enjoying time outdoors.
National Parks in Wisconsin
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Top Things to do - Visit the Visitor Centers, Fishing, Kayaking, Guided Activities, Hiking, Camping, Boating, Scuba Diving, Hunting and Trapping
Lodging - There are no campgrounds within the park.
Camping - Camping is available on 18 of the Lakeshore's 21 islands and at one campsite on the mainland. The mainland campsite is only accessible by kayak or a 6-mile hike on the Lakeshore Trail from Meyers Beach. There is NO drive-up car, tent, or RV camping available in the Apostle Islands. There are a variety of these camping options available in the local area. The islands are only accessible by sea kayak, motor boat, sailboat, shuttle service, or water taxi. Be sure to make your arrangements ahead of time to visit the islands
Park Address - 415 Washington Avenue, Bayfield, WI 54814
Apostle Islands NL is located in northwestern Wisconsin approximately 75 miles east of Duluth, Minnesota. The park is open year-round and offers hiking, camping, fishing, scenic boating cruises and more.
Located on the Northern Tip of Wisconsin the shores of Lake Superior offers amazing scenic beauty. The national lakeshore includes 12 miles of shoreline on the mainland along with 21 islands for a total of 156 miles of shoreline.
Visitors can take a scenic cruise to several of the islands within the park. Apostle Islands NL is known for its historic lighthouses some of which can be toured during the summer on guided tours.
Camping is allowed on some of the islands along with on the mainland in specific campgrounds.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Ice Age National Scenic Trail was established as a National Park Service Site on November 16, 2023.
Top Things to do - Hiking, Visit Visitor Centers and Museums, Backpacking, Junior Ranger Programs, Wildlife Viewing, Birdwatching, Cross-country Skiing and Snowshoeing during Winter
Lodging - There are several lodging options available along the trail. These options allow visitors to stay close to the trail while enjoying the natural beauty of Wisconsin.
Camping - Opportunities are available for camping along the Ice Age Trail in national, state, and county forests and in many state and county parks, including some private campgrounds. Campgrounds can vary from primitive walk-in campsites to facilities complete with electric hookups.
The Ice Age NST winds through much of Wisconsin. The trail is open year-round and offers hiking, camping, and winter activities.
The 1,200 mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail was established in 1980 and traces the terminus of the last glacier which retreated about 10,000 years ago. A vast sheet of ice covered North America approximately 15,000 years ago.
The southern edge of the last glacier followed a curving line across what is now Wisconsin leaving many geologic features in its wake. The trail is designed for hiking, biking and snowshoeing in the winter.
Check out the epic things to do in Door County including Potawatomi State Park which is part of the Ice Age Scenic Trail.
North Country National Scenic Trail
North Country National Scenic Trail was established as a National Park Service Site on November 16, 2023.
Top Things to do - Hiking, Birdwatching, Wildlife Viewing, Backpacking, Cross-Country Skiing, Enjoy Scenic Views, Exploring Nature
Lodging - In some areas near the trail, there are lodges and cabins available for overnight stays.
Camping -The North Country National Scenic Trail offers a range of camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you prefer primitive camping in designated areas, backpacking campsites at various locations, or the convenience of state park campgrounds, there's something for everyone along the trail.
Park Address -318 East Main Street, Suite K, Lowell, MI 49331
National Scenic Trails, which now number ten, are long hiking trails designated to showcase the best of the American backcountry. The 4600-mile North Country Trail (NCT) is the longest, spanning seven states, from North Dakota to New York, with Michigan having the most miles, about 1200.
The trail offers hiking, biking, and snowshoeing in the winter.
Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway
Top Things to do - Ranger Led Programs, Paddling, Fishing, River Boating, Camping, Hiking along the rivers, Bicycling, Picnic at Osceola Landing. Attend a Junior Ranger Program, Backpacking, Wildlife Viewing, Birdwatching
Lodging - If you prefer a more comfortable stay, there are hotels near the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway. You can find a variety of hotels in the nearby area, ranging from budget-friendly options to more luxurious accommodations.
Camping - Primitive shoreline campsites scattered along the St. Croix and Namekagon rivers offer the opportunity to move from campsite to campsite for multi-day trips. These campsites are often only accessible from the water and are relatively isolated
Park Address - St. Croix National Scenic 318 East Main Street, Suite K, Lowell, MI 49331
St. Croix National Scenic River is located in western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota. The park offers the opportunity to enjoy canoeing, kayaking, camping, swimming and wildlife viewing on the St. Croix River.
The St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers were a trade route for Indians and early European fur traders during the 19th century. The National Scenic Riverway includes over 200 miles of beautiful natural resources perfect for spending time on the water.
They have some great camping in Wisconsin opportunities!
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!
Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, New York, and Orlando
List of National Parks in Wisconsin
- Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
- Ice Age National Scenic Trail
- Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (also Minnesota)
- North Country National Scenic Trail (New York to North Dakota MI, MN, ND, NY, OH, PA, WI)
There are 2 National Parks in Wisconsin that receive over 532K visitors a year. These visitors produce over $44 million in economic benefits.
The National Parks in Wisconsin include 2 wild and scenic rivers managed by the National Park Service, 2 National Trails, and 2,367 National Register of Historic Places listings.
There are 42 National Historic Landmarks and 18 National Natural Landmarks in Wisconsin National Parks.
The National Parks in Wisconsin also includes 2,367 places recorded by the Heritage Documentation Programs and over 798K objects in the Wisconsin National Park Museum Collections.
If you have dreamed of working in the National Parks make sure and check out our article on How to Become a Park Ranger. Working in the parks is one of the most amazing jobs you can find. There is just something special about waking up and knowing you are going to work in a beautiful park.
National Parks in neighboring states
For an entire list of US National Parks head over to our list of US National Parks in Alphabetical Order. We also have a printable checklist of all 417 National Park properties in the United States available.
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