Group Site A

🏕 **Introduction / Overview: Premium Group Camping in the Apostle Islands**

For families, friends, or organizations across Wisconsin planning a significant outdoor adventure, **Group Site A** provides the perfect basecamp in one of the state's most coveted natural areas: the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. This designated group campsite is nestled on **Rocky Island**, offering a dedicated and spacious area for parties larger than what individual campsites can accommodate. Group Site A is specifically designed to host groups ranging from 8 to 21 people, facilitating a shared wilderness experience without sacrificing the essential solitude of island camping.

Located amidst the unspoiled beauty of Lake Superior, this site allows groups to fully immerse themselves in the Northern Wisconsin environment, surrounded by dense forests and the refreshing presence of the Great Lake. Like all island campsites within the National Lakeshore, it is strictly tent-only and accessible only by watercraft, guaranteeing a genuine remote experience far from the noise and convenience of the mainland. Planning and preparation are crucial, as is securing a reservation through the highly competitive annual Group Camping Lottery. For those who manage to secure a spot, Group Site A is the gateway to exploring the unique trails and rocky shoreline of one of the wildest Apostle Islands.

📌 **Location and Accessibility: A Watercraft Journey to Rocky Island**

Group Site A is located on **Rocky Island**, an interior island in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, managed by the National Park Service (NPS). The closest mainland community and the necessary point of departure is Bayfield, Wisconsin.

• **Official Location:** Rocky Island, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Bayfield, WI 54814, USA.
• **Access Method:** This site is exclusively **watercraft accessible**. Visitors must use a private boat, sailboat, sea kayak, or arrange for a commercial water taxi or shuttle service from the mainland. No vehicular access is available.
• **Distance from Dock:** Group Site A is typically located within a short walking distance—about 0.25 miles—of the main NPS dock on Rocky Island's east side, providing relatively easy access for unloading and loading group gear.
• **Landing:** Boaters can use the public dock (subject to availability and overnight fees) and then hike the short distance to the campsite. Kayakers can land on the available beaches near the dock, though caution is always advised due to variable Lake Superior wave conditions.
• **Wilderness Setting:** The group site is tucked into the wilderness of the island, ensuring privacy and minimal impact on the fragile ecosystem. Campers must be prepared to be self-sufficient as island resources are limited to the amenities provided.

🛀 **Services Offered: Group-Sized Wilderness Essentials**

Designed to support larger parties, Group Site A provides essential amenities to make a group trip comfortable while maintaining a remote, wilderness ethic.

• **Vault Toilet:** A dedicated **vault toilet** is provided near the group site, an upgraded facility compared to the stump privies found at many individual sites, offering improved sanitation for larger parties.
• **Picnic Tables:** Multiple sturdy **picnic tables** are available to accommodate the full group size, providing dedicated areas for meal preparation and shared dining.
• **Communal Fire Ring:** A large, designated **fire ring** is present for cooking and group campfires. Campers are permitted to collect dead and downed wood on the ground for fuel, following NPS regulations.
• **Bear-Resistant Food Storage:** Essential for safety and resource protection, one or more **bear-resistant food lockers** are provided for securing all food, toiletries, and scented items from the island's black bear population.
• **Tent Pads (as provided):** Where available, designated **tent pads** or clearings help ensure proper tent placement, minimizing ground impact and ensuring group capacity is met.

🌲 **Features / Highlights: Unforgettable Group Exploration**

Rocky Island and the proximity of Group Site A offer several unique highlights that make it a standout choice for an adventurous group outing.

• **Ideal Group Capacity:** It is one of only nine group campsites in the entire Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, built to accommodate parties of **8 to 21 people**, solving the logistical challenge of finding camping for large parties.
• **Rocky Island's Trails:** Rocky Island features several marked trails, including the **Sandspit Trail** and the **Rocky Island Trail**. Groups can enjoy short, scenic hikes through the island’s forested landscape and explore its distinctive rocky shorelines and unique geology.
• **Proximity to Ranger Station:** Rocky Island typically hosts a seasonal ranger station, offering a small degree of support, information, and a sense of security that is not present on many of the more remote islands.
• **Gateway to Kayaking:** Located centrally within the island chain, the site is perfectly positioned for **sea kayaking excursions** to nearby islands, or for exploring the coves and pristine waters surrounding Rocky Island itself.
• **Secluded Location:** Despite being near the dock, Group Site A is specifically placed to provide a sense of **seclusion and privacy** from other island campsites, allowing groups to enjoy their shared adventure without disrupting others.

📧 **Contact Information**

As a managed site within a US National Park Service unit, all reservations and primary information are handled by the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore headquarters in Bayfield.

• **Address:** Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (Group Site A, Rocky Island), Bayfield, WI 54814, USA
• **Reservations / Permit System:** All group camping reservations are secured through an annual **Group Camping Lottery** typically held in March, with any remaining sites available afterward. Reservations are handled through the Recreation.gov platform.
• **Park Headquarters Phone:** (715) 779-3398 (for the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Visitor Center in Bayfield)
• **Important Note:** Group permits must be printed from the Recreation.gov account no more than 7 days prior to the trip or picked up at the Bayfield Visitor Center. The permit must be carried with the group at all times.

🏅 **What is Worth Choosing Group Site A**

For any large party in Wisconsin determined to experience the legendary beauty of the Apostle Islands, choosing **Group Site A on Rocky Island** is essential and worthwhile. It solves the significant challenge of accommodating 8-21 people in this highly protected, wilderness environment.

It is worth choosing because it provides:

• **Legal Compliance and Resource Protection:** It is the only way to legally camp as a large group in this wilderness, ensuring that your party minimizes its impact and respects NPS regulations.
• **Logistical Advantage:** The proximity to the dock and the inclusion of group-friendly amenities like a vault toilet and multiple picnic areas streamline the logistics of feeding and housing a large group on a remote island.
• **The Rocky Island Experience:** It offers a unique opportunity to explore one of the most ruggedly beautiful islands in the chain, rich with history and geological wonder, while benefiting from the nearby presence of a Ranger station.

Group Site A is the ultimate choice for a rewarding, large-scale, self-supported wilderness expedition on Lake Superior, offering your group an unforgettable slice of Northern Wisconsin's finest scenery.