Our family spent Labor Day weekend camping near Bayfield and exploring the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior. It was the perfect getaway and we enjoyed the charming town, dramatic sea caves, pristine waters of Lake Superior, hikes, and orchards. From summer to winter, it would be beautiful to visit in any season and we cannot wait to come back. Here is our list of Top 5 Things to Do in Bayfield, Wisconsin. Enjoy!
Top 5 Things to Do in Bayfield, Wisconsin
- Meyer’s Beach Sea Caves Trail
- Apostle Islands Cruise
- Siskiwit Falls in Cornucopia
- Downtown Bayfield
- Fruit Loop
Things to Know:
*Bayfield is the main point for accessing the Apostle Islands, a group of 21 islands on Lake Superior.
*Visitors are drawn to Bayfield in all seasons, from summer boating and kayaking to winter ice caves and Northern Lights.
*In the fall, Bayfield’s iconic Apple Festival is held annually over the first weekend in October.
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Our onboard snack bar serves beer, wine, lemonade, soda, coffee, candy, chips, and sandwiches. Pre-order a River Rock Meal to add to your trip or grab a pizza or sandwich at our River Rock Patio before boarding the boat.
We do not allow outside food to be brought onboard, but if you have a personal water bottle you want to bring, that is okay.
Our onboard snack bar serves beer, wine, lemonade, soda, coffee, candy, chips, and sandwiches. Pre-order a River Rock Meal to add to your trip or grab a pizza or sandwich at our River Rock Patio before boarding the boat.
We do not allow outside food to be brought onboard, but if you have a personal water bottle you want to bring, that is okay.
Shop Photography Prints:
Meyers Beach Sea Caves Trail
Meyers Beach is located 17 miles west of Bayfield. It is a great place to access hiking trails especially if you only have a few hours. The trail extends along red sandstone cliffs, through forests high above Lake Superior, and travels above the mainland sea caves. Be sure to use caution along the cliffs as the edges may be under-cut and slippery. In the summer months you can launch sea kayaks and paddle to the sea caves or hike the trails to see the sea caves from above. In the winter if ice conditions are safe, you can access the ice caves by walking on frozen Lake Superior. Be sure to always check current conditions before venturing out onto the ice.
Related blog post: Hiking the Apostle Islands, Wisconsin: Meyers Beach Sea Caves Trail
Apostle Islands Cruise
Some of the best ways to experience the Apostle Islands is by kayak or boat. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is located at the northern tip of Wisconsin’s Bayfield Peninsula featuring 21 islands along a scenic shoreline in Lake Superior and located within the ancestral homeland of the Ojibwe people. Narrated tours to the islands, sea caves, and lighthouses are offered by Apostle Island Cruises. Reservations are highly recommended as they are very popular. Please be sure to monitor weather forecasts and be alert to changing conditions. Lake Superior is renowned for its cold temperatures, rough seas, fog, and sudden squalls. Trips may be cancelled or delayed due to weather. Do not travel on Lake Superior during warnings.
Related blog post: Apostle Islands Cruise from Bayfield, Wisconsin
Siskiwit Falls in Cornucopia
Siskiwit Falls is located on the Siskiwit River in the town of Cornucopia. It is a series of low drops and are visible from the bridge, however more impressive drops are found both up and down stream. There are two parking areas with off-road parking on both sides of the river on the north side of the road. Please follow signage and respect private landowners.
Related blog post: Hiking the Apostle Islands, Wisconsin: Siskiwit Falls in Cornucopia
Downtown Bayfield
Downtown Bayfield is a small, historic town on Lake Superior known for being the main point for accessing the Apostle Islands. Enjoy downtown Bayfield’s scenic waterfront, boutique shopping, charming architecture, or catch the 25 minute ferry ride to Madeline Island by foot, bike, or car. Bayfield has been recognized by the Chicago Tribune as the Best Little Town in the Midwest and by Smithsonian Magazine as one of America’s Best Small Towns.
Fruit Loop
Strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries! Bayfield is known as the “Berry Capital of Wisconsin” thanks to its unique microclimate on the shores of Lake Superior which make it perfect for growing. Discover numerous farms and orchards among the rolling hills as your drive the “Fruit Loop” on the county highway. Be sure to check the Berry Farm and Orchard Report for weekly updates on what is available for picking. On the first week in October every year, celebrate Bayfield’s iconic Apple Festival. It is the perfect time to enjoy the vibrant fall colors, take home fresh apples from the orchards, enjoy special events, live music, and parades.
