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
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 - Affiliated Site
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 – Affiliated Site
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
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!
List of National Parks in Wisconsin
- Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
- Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (also Minnesota)
Affiliated Areas
- Ice Age National Scenic Trail
- 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.
