Group Site B

🛶 Introduction / Overview

For Wisconsin's most dedicated outdoor enthusiasts, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore offers an unparalleled wilderness experience, and for larger groups, Group Site B represents one of the premier destinations. Unlike the mainland campgrounds near Bayfield, Group Site B is located directly on one of the Apostle Islands—specifically, Stockton Island, one of the largest and most popular islands in the entire archipelago. This is strictly a tent-only, boat-in camping experience, requiring significant planning and preparation, but rewarding campers with an unforgettable Northwoods adventure.

Group Site B is specifically managed by the National Park Service (NPS) and is reserved for parties ranging from 8 to 21 people. It is designed to accommodate large families, youth groups, or multiple families traveling together who seek a truly wild camping experience while adhering to the 'Leave No Trace' principles essential to preserving the Lakeshore. It serves as a necessary basecamp for groups, providing designated infrastructure to minimize impact on the sensitive island environment.

A reservation is mandatory, and securing a spot at Group Site B, like all Apostle Islands group sites, often involves participating in the highly competitive annual Group Camping Lottery conducted by the park in early spring. This highlights its status as a sought-after, high-value destination for large-scale wilderness trips in Northern Wisconsin.

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📍 Location and Accessibility

Group Site B is geographically located within the boundaries of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, a collection of 21 islands off the tip of the Bayfield Peninsula in Lake Superior. While its administrative mailing address is Bayfield, WI 54814, the actual physical location is on Stockton Island, near the Quarry Bay area.

Accessibility to Group Site B is exclusively by water, meaning campers must utilize a private boat, water taxi service, or sea kayak to reach the site. There is absolutely no car or RV access; all gear must be carried in after landing on the island shore.

• Starting Point: The nearest mainland access point and information hub is the Bayfield NPS Visitor Center or Little Sand Bay, where water transportation can be arranged.
• Transportation: The journey across Lake Superior can be challenging, and groups must be prepared for the lake's notoriously sudden weather shifts. Sea kayaking to Stockton Island is a serious, multi-mile undertaking, and groups often rely on powerboats or the commercial Apostle Islands ferry/water taxi system (to a nearby island, followed by a paddle or hike).
• On-Site Access: The campsite is a drive-in in the sense that you arrive by boat/watercraft, but then it is a walk-in to the actual tent area from the dock or beach landing. Importantly, Group Site B is one of the accessible sites in the Lakeshore, featuring boardwalks from the dock to the camping area and accessible vault toilets, which makes it easier to navigate for all members of a large party.

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🛠️ Services Offered

Group Site B offers a distinct set of services designed for wilderness tent camping in a remote, protected National Park environment. Amenities are kept simple to maintain the primitive nature of the experience.

• Tent Camping Only: All camping is strictly tent-based. No vehicles, trailers, or RVs are permitted.
• Group Size Limits: The site is specifically designated for 8 to 21 people. Parties must adhere to this limit, as individual sites only accommodate up to 7 people.
• Basic Furnishings: Each group site is typically equipped with multiple raised wooden tent pads (to protect the forest floor), a large fire ring, and multiple picnic tables for meal preparation and gathering.
• Bear Protection: The NPS provides bear-proof food storage lockers at the site. All food, beverages, toiletries, and garbage must be secured in these lockers 24/7 to protect both campers and the resident black bears.
• Toilet Facilities: The site has access to vault toilets (also known as a stump privy or composting toilet), which are basic but necessary for sanitation in a wilderness setting.
• Water: Potable water is generally not provided directly at the site on Stockton Island. Campers must pack in all drinking water or carry appropriate gear for treating/filtering lake water.
• Firewood: Campers are typically required to use dead and downed wood found on the ground for fires. Groups should be aware of the 'Do NOT transport firewood' regulations to prevent the spread of tree-killing pests.

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🌟 Features / Highlights

The unique features of Group Site B are centered on its location and its capacity for large-group enjoyment of the Apostle Islands wilderness.

• Stockton Island's Natural Beauty: Stockton Island is renowned for its diverse ecosystems, including long stretches of pristine, singing sand beaches (at Julian Bay), and miles of well-maintained hiking trails that lead to unique lagoons and historical sites. Camping here places your group directly in the heart of this natural splendor.
• Quarry Bay Access: The site's location near Quarry Bay is known for good landing and provides access to the island's dock and trail system, making it a great base for island exploration.
• Accessibility Focus: Group Site B is one of the few designated group sites that has been enhanced with accessible features, including boardwalks and specially designed vault toilets, increasing the opportunity for a diverse range of campers to enjoy the island wilderness.
• True Wilderness Immersion: As a boat-in, tent-only site, the experience is highly immersive, offering silence, dark skies perfect for stargazing, and unparalleled proximity to Lake Superior's unique climate and scenery, which you simply cannot get at a mainland car campground.
• Ideal for Organizations: The large capacity and dedicated amenities make this site ideal for scout troops, university groups, extended family reunions, or organizations focusing on kayaking and wilderness skills development.

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📞 Contact Information

As Group Site B is part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, it is managed by the National Park Service (NPS). All administrative contact is handled through the main park office, as there is no physical check-in on the island itself.

Administrative Address (Apostle Islands NPS Headquarters):

Bayfield, WI 54814, USA

Phone for Permits and Park Information (NPS Bayfield Visitor Center):

(715) 779-3398 (Recommended for inquiries regarding rules, weather, and permit changes)

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✅ What is Worth Choosing

Group Site B is a choice that comes with high rewards for those who are prepared for the challenges of island camping on Lake Superior. It is absolutely worth choosing if your group meets the following criteria:

• Your group size is 8 or more people: This site is tailor-made for larger parties, offering the necessary infrastructure to handle a greater number of campers legally and responsibly within the park boundaries.
• You seek a true wilderness camping trip: If you are looking to disconnect from vehicles, roads, and crowds, and immerse your group in the untouched beauty of a Lake Superior island, this is the perfect opportunity. The isolation and natural environment are unparalleled on the mainland.
• You have reliable water transportation: Given the boat-in requirement, this site is ideal for groups who own or have securely chartered a large boat or are expert sea kayakers prepared to handle Lake Superior’s potentially rough waters and cold temperatures.
• You are prepared for self-sufficient camping: Unlike car camping, you must pack in all water or have reliable filtration, and pack out all trash. Choosing this site means embracing the challenge of a truly self-reliant Northwoods adventure for your whole group.

For large groups in Wisconsin looking to check off a bucket-list wilderness experience, Group Site B on Stockton Island is the ultimate destination.