WHERE TO SEE THE MILKY WAY IN THE APOSTLE ISLANDS
Have you ever wanted to experience the Milky Way glowing and pulsing in the darkest of dark night skies? If so, you've definitely come to the right place. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is home to some of the darkest night skies you'll find anywhere. Nearly devoid of light pollution, here you'll feel as if you can almost reach out and touch the twinkling stars as you gaze out into the great expanse.
The galactic core of the Milky Way hovers above the Outer Island lagoon
MILKY WAY AT OUTER ISLAND
My personal favorite, as witnessed by the large body of night sky work I've produced here, is Outer Island. Far from the mainland and the light pollution it produces, Outer is a night sky watchers paradise. The Milky Way shows very well from the sand spit, with an unobstructed view of the southern sky there. Even better, you can catch reflections of the Milky Way and stars in the lagoon just behind the sand spit.
Brilliant late season Milky Way over the Devil's Island lighthouse
MILKY WAY AT DEVIL'S ISLAND
Seeing the night sky and Milky Way from Devil's Island is a truly unbelievable experience. First up is the challenge of getting to Devil's and safely overnighting there, which is an adventure in and of itself! But if you can manage it, the reward far outweighs the effort. Imagine watching the Milky Way slowly rise behind the historic Devil's Island lighthouse, without a trace of light pollution to diminish the view. It is an experience you'll never forget!
The broken, withered husk of a long dead spruce tree bears witness to the Milky Way as it rises over the Michigan Island bog on a stunningly clear summer night
MILKY WAY AT MICHIGAN ISLAND
Considered a sleeper and often overlooked by night sky watchers, Michigan Island is positioned such that the Milky Way shows very well, especially over the bog on the northwest side of the island. From the bog, much of the mainland light pollution is blocked, revealing the brilliant night sky above. And just a few steps from the bog is the Michigan Island sand spit, which provides unobstructed views of the night sky in nearly every direction.
The summer Milky Way rises over an ancient sea stack on Stockton Island
MILKY WAY AT STOCKTON ISLAND
With several protected bays and sandy beaches sporting unobstructed southern views, Stockton Island is a can't-miss night sky hot spot. Without a trace of light pollution, you'll watch the Milky Way hover over the open expanse of Lake Superior. Lay flat on the singing sands of Julian Bay and get lost the in the galaxies above.
Late season Milky Way rises over an old net reel at the historic Manitou Island Fish Camp in October
MILKY WAY AT MANITOU ISLAND
Under the right conditions, the Milky Way shows very, very well from the NPS dock at the historic Manitou Island Fish Camp. Enjoy the tapestry of dark skies, fainting glowing Milky Way, and uncountable bright stars blinking and shining like diamonds in the sky. It's a unique place among the Apostles to watch the night sky - with old fish shacks and net reels preserved by the NPS setting a mood of a time long past.
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