Wisconsin

Explore Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Program No. 12512RJ
Discover the Apostle Islands’ many charms as you enjoy local culture, see a presentation on shipwrecks, learn about the region’s ecology and hear tales of early settlers.

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5 days
4 nights
12 meals
4B 4L 4D
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At a Glance

Discover the remote Apostle Islands, 22 Lake Superior isles (only one of them inhabited) off the northern tip of Wisconsin. Learn about the history of shipwrecks in this area and board a boat to discover the historic lighthouses that guide ships and boats safely through the sometimes-rough waters. In Bayfield, the small fishing town where this program is based, a National Park Service Ranger tells you more about the environment of this area including which wildflowers are in bloom.
Activity Level
Easy Going
Walking a few blocks on sidewalks; some moderate hills.

What You'll Learn

  • Ride the ferry to Madeline Island to explore Big Bay State Park with its pristine barrier beach and boardwalk.
  • Delve into the history of shipwrecks near the Apostle Islands in an expert presentation by the retired director of the Lake Superior Maritime Visitors Center.
  • Hear some great tales of how the locals survived in the early years in this beautiful but sometimes harsh environment.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Bob Mackreth
Historian Bob Mackreth retired from the National Park Service in 2005 after a 32-year career as a park ranger. His assignments took him from the Atlantic coast to California's Sierra Nevadas. Bob's final position with the NPS was Park Historian at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. In this role, he conducted research into the stories of the men and women who lived on the remote islands in Lake Superior. Since his retirement, Bob has concentrated on research and writing, and remains committed to historic preservation.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Bob Mackreth
Bob Mackreth View biography
Historian Bob Mackreth retired from the National Park Service in 2005 after a 32-year career as a park ranger. His assignments took him from the Atlantic coast to California's Sierra Nevadas. Bob's final position with the NPS was Park Historian at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. In this role, he conducted research into the stories of the men and women who lived on the remote islands in Lake Superior. Since his retirement, Bob has concentrated on research and writing, and remains committed to historic preservation.
Profile Image of Sherman Edwards
Sherman Edwards View biography
Sherman Edward’s life has always been either on or under the water. His grandfather, Olaf, was a fisherman and a builder of fishing tugs. Sherman’s father tried his hand at fishing but made his career on the ore boats. Sherman’s career started on the ore boats in the summers when he went to college. He eventually started working for the local sports fishermen and eventually captained his own boat. He worked for the Madeline Island Ferry Line, retiring from there in 2013 after 33 years.
Profile Image of Thom Holden
Thom Holden View biography
Thom retired in 2013 from the Corps of Engineers’ Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center in Duluth, Minnesota after 36 years, the last 10 of which he served as its director. At the University of Wisconsin, he earned degrees in mechanical engineering and graduate degrees in environmental journalism and recreational resources management. He developed his interest in Lake Superior shipwrecks and lighthouses as a youngster, doing his first research project on Isle Royale National Park’s shipwrecks when he was 11 years old.
Profile Image of Geof Wendorf
Geof Wendorf View biography
Geoffrey “Geof” Wendorf has a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and a Master’s in Endocrinology/Reproductive Physiology from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He served as a Professor in Community Development for 25 years with the University of Wisconsin Extension System. Geof then took a position with the University of Wisconsin Superior as an Outreach Specialist. He has since served as the Director of the Leadership Superior/Douglas County Program and in 2010 became Director of the Road Scholar Programs at the University of Wisconsin Superior.
Profile Image of Neil Howk
Neil Howk View biography
Neil Howk retired in 2017 as the Assistant Chief of Interpretation at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, having served more than 35 years with the National Park Service. He worked for the National Park Service at Colorado National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Dinosaur National Monument, Wupatki National Monument, Gates of the Arctic National Park, and from 1983 to 2017 at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Neil and his wife operated a B&B in Bayfield from 1986 to 2018.
Profile Image of Katrina Werchouski
Katrina Werchouski View biography
Dr. Katrina “Kat” Werchouski is a proud member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe. She serves as an equity and inclusion education and training specialist for the Minnesota Department of Human Services in the Office for Equity and Inclusion, and as senior partner and senior consultant for Peak Perspectives LLC. She earned her B.S. in environmental studies and B.A. in Native American studies from Northland College, M.S. in environmental studies from Green Mountain College, and Ed.D. from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Profile Image of Mary Tripp
Mary Tripp View biography
Dr. Mary Tripp spent more than 20 years teaching marketing, nonprofit leadership, business management, and communications courses for multiple colleges and universities. Prior to teaching full-time, she was a marketing coordinator at the Essentia Health System for six years. Her past experiences include retail, food service, event planning, and supporting non-profit organizations. Tripp was the University of Wisconsin-Superior recipient of the “Excellence in Teaching” performance award in 2009. In her free time, Mary enjoys traveling, golfing, exploring national parks, reading, and spending time with friends.
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