Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Matt Sepic
St. Paul, Minn.

Lake Superior ice caves to close this weekend, or sooner

Ice caves
Visitors check out one of the many ice caves at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2013 near Cornucopia, Wis.
Derek Montgomery / For MPR News, file

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

There are just a few days left to visit the Lake Superior ice caves.

The National Park Service said today it will close the Apostle Island Sea Caves at the end of the day Sunday — or possibly sooner — because of rapidly changing ice conditions.

• Inside the majestic Apostle Island Sea Caves

Julie Van Stappen, chief of planning and resource management for the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, says falling ice is the biggest danger now, but the ice underfoot could give way at any time.

"The lake ice right by the caves is still fairly thick. It's a little over 20 inches," Van Stappen said. "But the biggest thing is, as soon as that ice surrounding the islands goes away, then the likelihood of winds acting on it and it deteriorating really quickly really increases."

Van Stappen says an estimated 124,000 people came to the Apostle Islands this winter to see the ice caves.

The last time it was cold enough to hike to the caves was in 2009.