Looking for a place to escape the summer heat? Leave the trail for a kayak, and discover Squaw Bay Sea Caves in the Apostle Islands area of Lake Superior.
photo from WildernessClassroom.com
This kayaking adventure is mostly a great idea because it is not a touristy stop on hundreds of guide maps and brochures. There aren’t any developed services nearby like potable water and camping sites. So, even though this excursion has many rewards like killer sunrise and sunsets, glass-like water in the right weather and the magical caves themselves, only the real adventurous kayaker who loves pristine scenery and is accustomed to coming away with to-die-for photos will be making this journey.
There are really dozens of arches to paddle through, like Arches National Park only flooded with Lake Superior.
The launch site. Four miles east of Cornucopia Public Harbor and seventeen miles west of Bayfield, WI on Highway 13, take the dirt road to Meyers Beach. Portage your kayak down the wooden steps to the beach. Put in there and head east. Detailed marker points and descriptions are available on Trails.com
Activity Type: Sea Kayaking
Nearby City: Bayfield
Length: 3.5 total miles
Trail Type: Out-and-Back
Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Duration: Day or half-day trip
Season: Spring to fall, weather permitting
Local Maps: Squaw Bay Sea Caves Topo Map NOAA 14966, USGS: Squaw Bay
Guide Book: Guide to Sea Kayaking on Lakes Superior & Michigan Guide Book
Stu Marks
Editor-in-Chief, Adventure-Space.com
Travel Editor, Adventure-Zone
Field Producer - Team Two