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#8 on this list
Apostle Islands
Wisconsin
Lake Superior sea kayaking among sea caves; warmest lake water.
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#9 on this list
Wind River Range
Wyoming
High passes open; some of the best backpacking in the Rockies.
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Apostle Islands | Wind River Range |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Northern Wisconsin, Lake Superior | — |
| Managing Agency | National Park Service | Bridger-Teton and Shoshone National Forests |
| Peak Season | Late July through August | Late July through Labor Day |
| Surface Water Temp | 55°F to 65°F in August bays | — |
| Gateway Town | Bayfield, Wisconsin | — |
| Required Kayak Length | 16+ feet with dual bulkheads | — |
| Highest Point | — | Gannett Peak (13,804 ft) |
| Permit Requirement | — | Free self-issue registration at USFS trailheads |
| Food Storage | — | Mandatory certified bear-resistant containers |
| Primary Gateways | — | Pinedale, Dubois, and Lander, Wyoming |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Apostle Islands
- Warmest water temperatures and most stable weather window of the year
- Spectacular sea cave formations accessible by sea kayak
- Pristine, low-density island campsites with dedicated bear storage
- Clear, oligotrophic freshwater that requires minimal filter clogging
- Lake Superior can generate dangerous waves without warning
- Severe stable fly and mosquito activity during humid, windless periods
- Strict gear demands bar standard recreational kayaks from island travel
Wind River Range
- High alpine passes and technical routes are reliably snow-free
- No advance quota permits needed for standard national forest backcountry
- Phenomenal concentration of sheer granite walls and glaciated cirques
- World-class wilderness fly fishing for native cutthroat and golden trout
- Severe, daily afternoon lightning hazard above treeline
- Aggressive overcrowding at marquee southern and central trailheads
- Active grizzly bear population requires strict food security protocols
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