Apostle Islands National Lakeshore has suspended overnight island use until at least June 20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The northern Wisconsin islands in Lake Superior, just off the shore of Cornucopia and Bayfield, will remain open for day use from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., but vault toilets will not be available and campfires are not permitted.
Opening of the Apostle Islands visitor centers in Bayfield and Little Sand Bay will also be delayed "due to the delay in on-boarding summer staff," the National Park Service said in a news release Monday. "Virtual visitor centers" will be open around Memorial Day and some staff are available by email and phone.
“Overnight use encourages people to travel to Bayfield and to congregate around docks and camping areas, which is contrary to what local and state health authorities are recommending," park superintendent Lynne Dominy said in a news release. "This change is in alignment with recent closures of recreational uses on state and other federal lands in Wisconsin."
Park staff will continue to monitor the pandemic and will let the public know when it resumes camping reservations. Updates can be found on at www.nps.gov/apis .
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Last week, Isle Royale National Park announced it was delaying its annual opening from April 15 until at least June 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
