Wisconsin May Finally Join Its Neighbors with a National Park

Wisconsin could soon claim its first-ever National Park under newly reintroduced legislation from Congressman Tom Tiffany. The Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve Act, brought back before Congress this week, would elevate the Apostle Islands from a National Lakeshore to full National Park status, a change that Tiffany says would honor the area’s heritage while boosting conservation efforts and the local economy.

“The Apostle Islands are a national treasure and deserve the distinction of becoming the state’s first National Park,” Tiffany said, emphasizing that the move would preserve Lake Superior’s natural wonders for future generations while strengthening surrounding communities.

The Apostle Islands, designated as a National Lakeshore in 1970, are among Wisconsin’s most iconic public lands. Tiffany’s legislation would not alter existing boundaries but would create two distinct areas: Apostle Islands National Park and Apostle Islands National Preserve. Sand Island would be designated as the preserve, allowing for continued hunting access, while fishing and recreational opportunities would remain unchanged under National Park Service management. Consistent with federal law, no mining would be allowed within the park.

A central feature of the bill is its explicit affirmation of Tribal sovereignty and treaty rights. The legislation makes clear that nothing in the redesignation would interfere with rights granted to Tribes, including hunting, trapping, fishing, and gathering within the park’s boundaries. The bill also calls for interpretive signage at visitor centers highlighting the history of the Ojibwe tribes, early European settlers, and the region’s fur trade, logging, lighthouses, and commercial fishing heritage.

The proposal mirrors a precedent set in 2019, when Indiana Dunes transitioned from a National Lakeshore to a National Park. Wisconsin is the only Great Lakes state without a National Park, and supporters argue that the Apostle Islands’ natural beauty and cultural significance merit the upgrade. Advocates also point to the potential for increased conservation resources, greater recognition, and economic benefits such as tourism and job growth in surrounding communities.

The legislation has garnered broad support from officials and organizations across the state, including Congressman Bryan Steil, Congressman Derrick Van Orden, Congressman Scott Fitzgerald, Congressman Glenn Grothman, Congressman Tony Wied, Representative Rob Summerfield, Senator Romaine Quinn, the Washburn County Board, Sawyer County Board, Burnett County Economic Development, Price County Board of Supervisors, Hayward Mayor Gary Gillis, the Superior Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Oma, and WeGrowBiz.

If enacted, the Apostle Islands would join neighboring states’ National Parks and secure Wisconsin’s place on the map as home to a federally recognized National Park. For many in the state, the change represents not only overdue recognition of the islands’ unique character but also an opportunity to ensure their preservation and prosperity for years to come.