Exploring Stockton Island: Trekking the Tombolo Trail

An Unforgettable Adventure in the Apostle Islands

The northwest corner of Wisconsin is one of our favorite places to visit in the country. During our first visit to the Apostle Islands in 2019, we were blown away by the remarkable sea caves and the Northwoods landscapes, so we were excited to return. This time, we hopped on a ferry to Stockton Island for a day hike. A local person recommended the Tombolo Trail to us, praising the hike for winding through dense forests, water marshes, and leading to a gorgeous shoreline. What’s not to like about that? Better yet, it was blueberry season, and the island has a wild crop of them there.

How to Get to Stockton Island

To visit Stockton Island, start the journey in Bayfield, Wisconsin. This town is the main gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. From Bayfield, we took a 45-minute shuttle boat ride to the island, as there are no bridges or roads connecting it to the mainland.

We bought our tickets through Apostle Islands Cruises, a reputable company offering regular shuttle services to several islands, including Stockton.

(Map snipped from Google Earth. Click on image or link to go to live Google Earth for more detail.)

Booking tickets was pretty easy. We reserved our spots online a few weeks before our trip, which turned out to be a good idea since boats can fill up quickly during the summer. On the day of our trip, we checked in at the dock by the harbor. A Park Ranger and shuttle boat crew member were there to assure us that we were in the right place. They also answered some general questions we had about the trip. Soon, other passengers joined us in line, each with their own plans for how to spend their time on Stockton Island.

The cool and clear morning welcomed us as we boarded the shuttle boat and found a place on the roof to sit. We could feel a gentle breeze, but it did not stir the water. The lake was smooth, and the powerful boat glided effortlessly through the clear blue liquid. Along the way, the ship’s captain highlighted other islands and landmarks, sharing interesting regional facts and the history of the area.

As we approached Stockton Island, we could see the remains of the old Brownstone Quarry. A short distance later, we gently pulled into the dock at Presque Isle, where we organized our gear and headed out to find the trailhead to start our island trek. Most of the passengers on the boat wanted to hike the shorter trail to Anderson Point and Presque Isle Bay, our plan was to hike the Tombolo Trail.

Our Adventure on the Tombolo Trail

After departing from the boat, we walked along a wooden deck, past the visitor’s center toward the campsites that line the southern coast of Presque Isle. Our trailhead was in that direction. Hiking past each site, I was surprised and impressed with their location. Every encampment seemed to have a front-row seat view of Lake Superior. We are not tent campers, but I thought if we were, this would be the place I’d want to pitch my tent. I could not think of a better place to be.

3.6 Mile Loop – 65 Foot Elevation – Rated 4.7 Moderate

The Tombolo Trail gets its name from the sandy strip of land—a tombolo—that connects two parts of the island. The first section of the trail rambled through a dense forest, where tall hemlocks, birch and pines stretched overhead.

One thing Stockton Island is known for is its black bear population, which has is estimated to be about 16. Hearing this, I was concerned because I’d left our bear spray in the van. However, the Park Ranger we spoke to told us the bears here are not aggressive and are afraid of humans, so they tend to roam the interior of the island where people rarely go. Luckily, we didn’t see one and did not see signs of any, like scat or footprints.

Wild Blueberries are the Best

We also learned that wild blueberries grow alongside the trail, and we verified it. Since July is the peak of the season, and we were determined to find some. I’m guessing we were about a half mile in when we found our first blueberry plant. It was loaded, and we harvested blueberries as fast as we could.

As soon as the fruit was picked, it immediately entered our mouths. A few berries were sweet, while others were tart, and every handful brought a smile to our faces. They tasted so good, we could not eat them fast enough or stop.

Our blueberry discovery seriously slowed down the pace of our hike, and we were on a schedule. The boat was picking us up at 2:00, so we only had 2-1/2 hours to complete the Tombolo Trail loop.

While we continued to walk the path, we joked about how slow we were going and how much attention we were giving to the blueberries. We constantly looked at the ground for the next patch of fruit rather than watching where we were going. Accidentally bumping into a bear because our eyes are pointed down became our ongoing joke.

The Wetland

Although the wetland section of the Tombolo Trail was short, it was interesting and quite lovely. The park service provided visitors with a wooden boardwalk that elevated us over the muck and the water below. We paused for a moment to take a couple photos and admire the landscape in front of us, before continuing to the third and final leg of the hike.

This section of the hike reminded us of the canoe trail did at Perrot State Park earlier in the week.

The Beach with Singing Sand

Halfway along the trail, we finally arrived at Julian Bay. The sand here is known as “singing sand” because it creates a squeaky sound when you walk on it. I kicked off my hikers and felt energized walking on the edge of the water, sometimes sinking my feet into the warm sand and other times splashing through the shallow, pulsing waves. Lake Superior’s clear, cold water felt so refreshing.

It seemed odd that minutes before we were hiking through a dense forest and marsh. The contrast was striking and a little mind-bending, as we tried to walk the beach at a clip.

About halfway down the beach, heading back towards the boat dock, we encountered a water crossing. This is where Gail took off her boots. The moving water crossing was wider than I expected, and the color of the water reminded me of herbal tea. We couldn’t see the bottom, so there was no way to know how deep the water was.

Because I had already removed my boots, I started crossing the waterway while Gail sat on the edge and untied her boot laces watching me. I decided to cross at the narrowest section of the waterway, which was the mouth of the stream, where the lake water begins to fill the tributary. The water was above the knee and below the waist at one point, as I plowed through the water. Before long, Gail safely followed my route after watching me cross.

As it turned out, the crossing was an enjoyable element of the overall hike.

At the end of the beach were huge brownstone rocks ideal for sitting on and a perfect place for lunch and a swim. Because we spent so much time picking blueberries, we were a little tight on time and did not stay in this spot as long as we would have liked.

We had to catch the boat at 2:00, which gave us about 30-minutes to enjoy our time here, which we did.

Camping on Stockton Island

Stockton Island, part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, offers a unique and memorable camping experience. Here’s what you need to know about camping on Stockton Island:

Campsites

The island has several designated campsites that cater to different preferences. Whether you prefer a secluded spot in the woods or a site with a view of Lake Superior, there’s something for everyone. The campsites are well-maintained and provide a peaceful setting for campers.

Amenities

While camping on Stockton Island, you can enjoy the following amenities:

• Picnic Tables: Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, perfect for outdoor meals.
• Fire Rings: Fire rings are available at each site for campfires and cooking.
• Bear-Proof Food Storage: To ensure the safety of both campers and wildlife, bear-proof food storage lockers are provided.
• Restrooms: Composting toilets are available near the campsites.
• Water: Potable water is available at designated locations on the island.

Reservations

To camp on Stockton Island, you need to make a reservation in advance. Reservations can be made through the National Park Service’s website or by calling the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore office 715-779-3397. It’s recommended to book early, especially during peak season, as campsites can fill up quickly.

Summary

Stockton Island’s Tombolo Trail offers a blend of adventure, natural beauty, and peaceful moments that make it truly unforgettable. If you love the outdoors, hiking, camping and exploring unique landscapes, I highly recommend adding this journey to your list. We left Stockton Island tired but happy, already dreaming of our next adventure in the Apostle Islands.