Dobson Gardens in Bayfield: A beautiful mix of decaying boats and cheerful flowers

Last updated on May 20th, 2026

Bayfield, Wisconsin, is a busy place from spring through fall. But there are plenty of quiet spots where you can just slow down and relax. One of the most beautiful is Dobson Gardens.

One of the entrances into lovely little Dobson Gardens.

Dobson Garden (identified as Dobson Park on Google Maps) is at the Blackhawk Marina, which means the garden is also sometimes known as Blackhawk Gardens. But by any name, this is a lovely stop in downtown Bayfield.

This is an updated version of a post first published in 2015. Photos are from both 2015 and 2024.

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Discover a beautiful mix of old boats and colorful flowers

Old boats tend to accumulate wherever there is a marina. In Bayfield, you’ll find old boats around town, including a fair number that have long since served their purpose and been left on shore to slowly decay. While you wouldn’t be surprised to find them near marinas and tucked into overgrown backyards, in Bayfield you’ll also find them in a public garden!

You’ll find an unexpected contrast between the slowly disintegrating boats and delicate blossoms.

In Dobson Gardens, slowly decaying fishing boats share the limelight with cheerful flower beds and a few spectacular trees.

Views from around the garden in spring and summer.

This isn’t a particularly large garden, but there’s a lawn with chairs that are perfect for sitting and watching the turtles sunbathing in the pond.

A pond where turtles sun themselves, a grassy lawn, flowering trees, and chairs where you can sit and enjoy it all. What more could one want?

If you want to feel adventurous, there’s even a small bridge you can cross to get to a more natural area.

Cross the footbridge over the pond to explore a wilder section of the garden.

Whether you come here for the plants, the decaying boats, or a chair in a quiet spot, you’ll find plenty to enjoy at Dobson Gardens.

Lovely Dobson Gardens is Blackhawk Marina owner Ken Dobson’s gift to Bayfield’s residents and visitors. And a beautiful gift it is. Thank you, Mr. Dobson.

Plan your visit to Dobson Gardens

Dobson Gardens by Blackhawk Marina are free and open all year. But the most beautiful time to visit is June through August. (I haven’t been there in the winter (and the paths aren’t kept open once the snow falls), but it would be fun to photograph with snow on the boats.)

And, speaking of boats, don’t expect the boats in the garden to look like they do in my photos. As far as I can tell, nothing is being done to arrest their decay, so they look a little more dilapidated every time I visit. Eventually some will likely be broken down and removed. Today the garden looks quite different from how it looked on my first visit a decade ago.

This photo is from 2015. I don’t think I saw this boat on my last visit and the pond doesn’t look anything like this now either, but there are some very dilapidated boats hidden in an inaccessible area behind the pond a bit, so it could still be tucked back there.

Getting to Bayfield

Bayfield is located along the south shore of Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin.

There are few towns of any size in this area, so keep an eye on your gas or battery level while traveling. And, while it’s getting better, cell phone service is still not reliable in some areas.

Getting to the garden once you are in Bayfield

Dobson Gardens (Dobson Park on Google Maps) is located on the south side of Bayfield at 3rd and Wilson. You’ll see it just before you get to the entrances to the city boat launch, the Apostle Islands Yacht Club, and Blackhawk Marina.

You can walk there from anywhere in the city, but keep in mind that some parts of Bayfield are up a pretty steep hill above the waterfront!

Lodging in Bayfield

If you are traveling to Bayfield during the peak summer season or during an event like the Apple Festival, Race Week, or the Northern Pines Sled Dog Race, book as far ahead as possible. That’s a good idea anytime, but essential when it’s really busy. Also note that reservations for just a night or two are not available at many places.

I can’t give specific hotel recommendations because I almost always sleep on a boat when I’m in Bayfield, but you’ll find a mix of hotels, inns, rental units, and even boatels (boat hotels) right in Bayfield. Take a look at Booking.com, Expedia, or VRBO to see what your options are. And if a boat option interests you, check to see whether you will be able to use the head (bathroom) on board or if you will need to use the marina restrooms.

Lodging beyond Bayfield

It’s more difficult to find a place on Madeline Island, but really fun. (You can get there on the car ferry right from Bayfield.) Be aware that almost all require a multiple-night stay. (A week in many cases.) You can check Expedia or VRBO. (On Expedia, search for your dates, then look at the map view. If you don’t see anything available AND you have flexibility, use the flexible calendar search with the number of nights and month to search again.)

On the peninsula, Red Cliff Casino has lodging. You’ll usually also find a variety of (usually more affordable) options in Washburn. Most of these will come up in your Bayfield search if you zoom out a bit.

We’ve also stayed in Ashland and just made Bayfield a day trip from there. (Ashland has a nice historic downtown, murals, and some fun shops.)

Camping

You’ll find plenty of campgrounds on both the mainland peninsula and on many of the islands. The Bayfield County website lists campgrounds on the peninsula and explains Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and US Forest Service rules for firewood.

There are no drive-up car, tent, or RV camping sites in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Learn more on the National Parks website.

Other things to do in and around Bayfield

Bayfield is a very popular summer vacation spot as the main gateway to the Apostle Islands. It’s mostly where people hang out to shop, eat, drink, and enjoy music outdoors. Go either direction from the city to find hiking trails and beaches.

Bayfield

Bayfield is a lively place in summer. With artsy shops, tons of restaurants, and easy access to the Apostle Islands and various local and state parks, this is a busy place from June through September.

Bayfield is lovely from spring through fall.

Bayfield Maritime Museum

Just down the street from Dobson Gardens, the Bayfield Maritime Museum tells stories about the people and boats of Lake Superior. It’s a fascinating little museum.

Learn a few of Lake Superior’s stories at the Bayfield Maritime Museum.

Race Week

Even if you don’t sail yourself, the summer Race Week in Bayfield can be a lot of fun to watch. And, with so many people in town, there’s usually plenty of live music and other events.

You’ll see some really gorgeous boats during Race Week.

Madeline Island and Big Bay State Park

Madeline Island is connected to Bayfield by regular ferry service (once the ice is off the lake) and by an ice road when winters get cold.

Aside from a couple of shops and places to eat in La Pointe, there’s not much to do on the island besides hiking, enjoying the sand beaches, or just relaxing. But that’s why most people go there.

Big Bay State Park

On the eastern side of the island, Big Bay State Park is about as scenic as any place on the lake, with a sandy swimming beach, woodland hiking trails, and sandstone bluffs. It’s particularly lovely in fall.

On the beach at Big Bay on a beautiful fall day.

The Apostle Islands

The Apostle Islands are a popular sailing and boating destination, with lighthouses, sand beaches, sea caves, historic sites, and hiking trails. Many good anchorages and a few docks make it easy to stay out overnight. Several islands also have campgrounds.

A gorgeous summer day at the Raspberry Island Lighthouse.

Don’t have your own boat? Many marinas have rentals available. But Lake Superior is no place to mess around. If you don’t have a lot of experience with boats, book a tour. Apostle Island Cruises serves as both the national lakeshore’s park shuttle for campers and the main lake tour operator. But you can also book private tours with local captains. I think sailboats are the most fun, but if you want to cover more than a small area, you need a motorboat.

Around the peninsula

Not that you can’t find enough to do in Bayfield and the Apostle Islands, but beyond the city of Bayfield and the islands, Bayfield County offers more beaches, hiking, art, shopping, and great food – as well as with waterfalls, orchards, and vineyards. Here are a few suggestions to get you started. Check the Bayfield County Story Maps for more.

Great Lakes Visitor Center

The Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center near Ashland offers information on the area, a viewing tower, art exhibits, and a great little museum. If you arrive from this direction, this should be your first stop when you reach Bayfield.

Frog Bay Tribal National Park

This tribal park offers wooded trails and foot access to one of the few reasonably warm beaches in the area. It is open to the public.

Houghton Falls State Natural Area

The bugs can be ferocious at Houghton Falls State Natural Area, but this area overflows with wildflowers in spring. The waterfall is pretty enough, but the flowers, rocky gorge, and lakeshore steal the show.

The Houghton Falls is sort of hidden, but the wildflowers are everywhere in spring.

Apostle Islands travel guide