Before social media, the Apostle Islands Ice Caves were a hidden gem, explored mostly by locals. Crowds were light, and the trek from Meyers Beach to the towering sandstone cliffs felt wide open.

Isaac grew up in Bayfield and was familiar with the Ice Caves. He remembers hiking the shoreline with his family to see them.

Then in 2014, one of Lake Superior’s best-kept secrets gained national attention with the help of social media.

Although I was living near the Twin Cities at the time, I remember that winter clearly. It was the first time I heard the phrase, “polar vortex.” A stretch of intense Arctic cold locked the lake in place and allowed access to the elusive Ice Caves for nearly two months. It was the longest stretch in recent history.

Thousands of people headed north to see the ice sculptures nature had created, catching Bayfield completely by surprise.

Up until then, Bayfield and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore were known mostly as summertime destinations. Winter has always been the quieter season.

But not that year.

Locals and business owners still talk about that sudden tourist boom. Help-wanted ads quickly filled the Ashland Daily Press and Facebook feeds as businesses searched for housekeepers, kitchen help, and waitstaff.

The following year, in 2015, the ice allowed access for nine days and it hasn’t happened since.

Isaac and I hadn’t even started dating yet, and running a lodging business had never crossed my mind.

Fast-forward eleven years.

Isaac and I just celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary, and we’re excited to say the Apostle Islands Ice Caves are open once again.

I can’t wait to see these ice formations with my own eyes and show them to our boys. I hope you will come see them too!

Here in Bayfield, and at Seagull Bay just twenty minutes from the caves, we’re preparing for another winter boom like 2014. 

And if history tells us anything, these conditions don’t last forever. So if the Ice Caves are on your list, here are a few tips to help you plan a spontaneous and fuss-free trip before spring breakup arrives.

What Are the Apostle Islands Ice Caves?

The Apostle Islands Ice Caves sit just over a mile from the parking lot at Meyer’s Beach. Beneath the ice are massive brownstone cliffs carved by Lake Superior over thousands of years. In the summer, you can kayak to these same Mainland Sea Caves.

In winter, waves crash and spray against the rock, then freeze in layers. Over time, that spray builds into thick curtains of ice hanging like giant chandeliers from the cave walls and ceilings.

Some caverns are large enough for dozens of people to walk through at once, towering overhead like an ancient cathedral. Children giggle as they crawl through the smaller openings, and you’ll hear the steady chorus of oohs and ahhs as visitors wander in and out along the shoreline.

The ice formations themselves are not rare. What is rare is *safe access* on the ice to see them.

Over the past eleven years, wind, waves, and water temperatures haven’t aligned for the lake to freeze thick enough to walk on. Some winters, it hasn’t frozen at all. In fact, since 2000, the ice caves have only been safely accessible in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2014, and 2015.

It takes a careful blend of calm winds, deep cold, and time for the ice to grow thick enough to make the walk safely. When those elements finally come together, the experience feels almost surreal.

• Giant spindles of ice hang from the cave edges and ceilings
• Frozen waterfalls cascade down brownstone ledges
• Smooth mounds of ice are gathered at cave entrances
• Icy pillars rise from the lake to meet the rocks above

The Apostle Islands Ice Caves are a stunning collaboration between wind and waves, shaping the shoreline into a truly breathtaking landscape.

And if you’re planning to experience them for yourself, there are a few important things to know first.

Safety Always Comes First: Conditions Change Quickly

The Ice Caves are stunning. They are also a true winter adventure.

Lake Superior is powerful, and ice conditions can change quickly, sometimes within hours. Wind and waves on the world’s largest freshwater lake can break up ice that looks solid. For that reason, closures may happen with very little notice.

Visiting the caves means walking across a frozen lake surface, often in bitter cold. Frostbite and hypothermia are real risks if you’re not wearing the right gear. Always check the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore website for updates before you travel, and be ready for winter weather.

For current ice conditions and access to the Ice Caves visit:

• go.nps.gov/IceCaves 
• facebook.com/apostleislandsnps 
• Call the Ice Line at (715) 779-3398 x3

If access is open and the lake is safely frozen, here’s what to know before you drive out toward the caves.

Getting There: Tickets, Parking, and Shuttles

This year, access requires a bit more planning.

Everyone age 16 and older must purchase a $5 per person, per day access pass before visiting. Children under 16 are free. There are no discounts or refunds.

Tickets are available online only and must be purchased in advance at: https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/1442411180

Take a minute to secure your pass before you leave. It’s the simplest way to avoid delays and start your day on the right foot.

Also, there’s NO parking at the Meyers Beach trailhead or along Highway 13. Visitors must park at designated off-site locations and take a county-managed shuttle (Bay Area Rural Transit) to the trailhead. Shuttle and parking fees apply, and delays are possible during busy times.

Shuttles run approximately every 25 to 35 minutes.

• First shuttle drop-off at Meyers Beach: 8:30 a.m
• Last shuttle drop-off: 3:00 p.m
• Last shuttle pickup from Meyers Beach: 5:30 p.m
• Cost: $5 each way, $10 round trip (cash only)

Designated parking locations include:

Cornucopia Lots (4 miles southwest of the ice caves)
22620 Ash St, Cornucopia, WI 54827
22670 Siskiwit Bay Pkwy, Cornucopia, WI 54827

Sand River Gravel Lot (6 miles east of the ice caves)
30675 State Highway 13, Bayfield, WI 54814

With that squared away, here’s what to expect once your boots hit the ice.

Heading Out to the Caves: What to Expect on the Ice

It’s no joke when locals tell stories about a couple of women who showed up in heels during the 2014 ice cave boom. Or how some visitors tried to make the walk in jeans, sneakers, and a light jacket.

The reality is this: reaching the caves requires a 2 to 6 mile round-trip hike across uneven lake ice and snow. This isn’t a quick stroll. It’s a true winter trek.

The surface may be snow-covered, slick, uneven, or even wet in places. On sunny days, standing water can collect on top of the ice. And even when the sun is shining, temperatures on the frozen surface of Lake Superior feel much colder than they do in town.

Having the right gear makes all the difference:

• Wear insulated, waterproof boots with solid traction
• Add ice cleats for extra stability on slick sections
• Use trekking poles to help with balance
• Layer your clothing so you can adjust as you warm up
• Bring hats, gloves, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect your face and hands
• Fill your backpack with water and snacks to keep you fueled along the way

If you’re bringing little ones, plan to carry them in a pack or pull them in a sled. The terrain is simply too uneven and snowy for strollers.

There’s no shelter along the way. No access to drinking water. Cell service is limited. And porta-potties are available only at the Meyers Beach parking lot, not out on the ice.

Visitors who come prepared can slow down, take it all in, and truly enjoy this rare experience. 

And after a day out on the ice, there’s something especially nice knowing a warm room is waiting for you back in Bayfield.

Stay at Seagull Bay During Your Apostle Islands Ice Cave Visit

Isaac and I hope you take advantage of this *rare* opportunity to explore the Ice Caves at Meyers Beach. Maybe we’ll see you out there!

And when you do, we invite you to stay at one of our Seagull Bay properties—your cozy home base for a winter getaway on the shores of Lake Superior. A place where you can:

• Kick off your boots and settle into mid-century minimalist comfort
• Watch ice fishermen drop a line, or islanders drive across the frozen lake
• Leave the everyday hustle behind, if only for a little while

Start planning your trip to the Apostle Islands Ice Caves and make Seagull Bay part of the experience.

Your memories, with a view!

Mollie, Isaac, Axel, Ridge, and Banks

QUICK LINKS:
Ice Caves – Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (U.S. National Park Service)