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#7 on this list
Sawtooth Wilderness
Idaho
Granite peaks and alpine lakes in prime condition.
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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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Specs side by side
| Spec | Sawtooth Wilderness | Apostle Islands |
|---|---|---|
| Managing Agency | U.S. Forest Service (Sawtooth National Forest) | National Park Service |
| Total Acreage | 217,088 wilderness acres | — |
| Highest Elevation | Thompson Peak (10,751 feet) | — |
| Permit System | Free, self-issued at trailheads | — |
| Peak Season | Mid-July through late August | Late July through August |
| Primary Gateway | Stanley, Idaho | — |
| Location | — | Northern Wisconsin, Lake Superior |
| Surface Water Temp | — | 55°F to 65°F in August bays |
| Gateway Town | — | Bayfield, Wisconsin |
| Required Kayak Length | — | 16+ feet with dual bulkheads |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Sawtooth Wilderness
- No competitive advance lottery required for wilderness permits
- Hundreds of pristine alpine lakes stacked within short trail distances
- Trail passes fully clear of winter snowpack by early August
- Pristine granite scrambling options accessible right from camp
- Trailhead parking lots fill before sunrise on August weekends
- Vulnerable to intense late-summer wildfire smoke events
- Popular lake shores face significant crowding and strict site limits
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
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