ice caves

After a few years in a row where the Apostle Islands Ice Caves were accessible to thousands of visitors, people are wondering if the recent cold stretch will allow people to visit the feature again this year.

People hoping to see the Apostle Islands Ice Caves this season had a very short window. Unseasonably warm temperatures and forecasted strong winds for Monday night have prompted park officials to close the caves for the season.

Park Rangers at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore announced today that unless conditions change due to weather, visitors will be able to visit the famous ice caves starting Saturday, February 28.

After news came out of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in mid-January that wind had torn apart the developing ice along the shoreline, the likelihood of visitors being able to access the natural wonder for a second year in a row seemed dashed. Following cold conditions over the past month, things are looking up once again for people looking to visit the ice caves.

Up until this weekend, there was tempered optimism that the Apostle Islands Ice Caves may be open for the second year in a row. Significant wind over the weekend broke up ice along the shoreline, setting back progress, and postponing the possibility of visitors returning this year.

A little earlier this winter, it was announced that there was a chance ice conditions might develop again to allow visitors to access the Apostle Islands Ice Caves. Here's the latest information on ice conditions.

If predictions are correct and the ice caves end up open again to the public this season, visitors will now have to pay a small fee for entry.

If you're one of the thousands of people that either fell in love with the icy natural wonders of the Apostle Islands ice caves or you regret not being able to make the trip last year, I have some good news!

The ice caves along the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore have been a huge draw for people around the country to the Wisconsin shoreline of Lake Superior. After thousands of visitors and millions of dollars have come into the area, weather conditions are forcing the caves to close.

Yesterday's 50+ degree weather was a welcome change from the incredibly cold and long winter we have seen in the Northland. One of the few perks the excessive cold provided was the rare opportunity for people to enjoy the icy beauty of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, commonly referred to as the "ice caves" during the winter months.