Lake Superior Ice Caves To Close For Season

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- After attracting nearly 36,000 visitors over nine days, the Apostle Island ice caves in northwestern Wisconsin will be closing Monday night.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Superintendent Bob Krumenaker says warmer temperatures coupled with strong winds means ice is beginning to melt and the rise of ice formations falling raises safety concerns.

Even though the season for viewing the ice caves was short, it's been great for the surrounding area.

"This has been an amazing boon to the regional economy and although we would love this to continue for another month, the safety of the visitor always comes first," Bayfield Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Bureau Executive Director David Eades said.

Krumenaker says there were over 17,000 visitors this weekend alone.

The caves will close at 7 p.m.