Madeline Island

Madeline Island is in Northwest Wisconsin near Bayfield.

Understand

Madeline Island is the only island in the Apostle Islands archipelago to be open for commercial development. It's officially part of the Town of La Pointe, the main community at the ferry terminal.

Get in

Getting to Madeline Island can be difficult depending on the season due to the need to cross Lake Superior.

By plane

The Town of La Pointe owns an airport on the island, Madeline Island Airport.

By car

During months in which the lake is not frozen over, the Madeline Island Ferry is the only way onto the island by car. During months in which the lake is sufficiently frozen over, an ice road is operated over the route of the Madeline Island Ferry.

By foot

During months in which conditions are not suitable for the ice road or ferry, an ice sled is used to carry passengers and packages across the normal route of the ferry or ice road.

Get around

Car is the suggested route for transportation due to the rural nature of the island; however, bicycles are a perfect choice for a more scenic and laid-back ride into town or around the island for sightseeing. For those intending to navigate the island by bicycle, it is important to note that the ferry allows for passengers to ride the ferry with just their bicycle.

Go next

• The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is the remaining part of the archipelago.
• Bayfield, the city the island is most easily accessed by, is worth seeing, as well.
• Washburn is near Bayfield on the mainland.