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Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island

big bay park beach
Swimming beach at Big Bay Park on Madeline Island

Wisconsin's Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island, the most southern island of the Apostle Islands, is a great weekend or week long retreat for families who love the outdoors but still want a few urban comforts.


Covid-19 Update

Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island will open June 1, 2020.


It is located on a peninsula 7 miles from the village of La Pointe Wisconsin where there are restaurants, ice cream parlors, gift shops, golfing, and other entertainments. Close enough for convenience yet far enough to offer isolation from the hustle and bustle.

Most campers bring bicycles to ride around the park, tour the island itself, or run into La Pointe for its entertainment. The swimming beach on Big Bay faces east so the morning sun helps warm the waters early in the day but there was still some sun on the beach after 4 pm on the August day we visited the park. In addition to swimming and biking, other park entertainment includes hiking trails, canoeing or kayaking, rock climbing, beach combing, and fishing. There's also a large open field for games.

Recently the campground has added electricity to 15 sites so it is more RV friendly (however the dump station is not in the park but is available in the town of La Pointe). There are flush toilets and showers and canoe/kayak rentals available. Bike rentals are available in La Pointe.

blueline

Exploring Big Bay State Park big bay rocks


More adventureous swimmers find one of the many rock outcroppings around the point. On a warm summer day it is also a nice place to read a book or have a picnic catching the fresh breeze off the lake. > > >

big bay state park madeline island

< < < Here's another nice spot to relax and enjoy the view or the peaceful ambience of Lake Superior.

kayaking on madeline island

 

There is quite a bit of protected shoreline around the island for canoeing
or kayaking. > > >

hiking at big bay state park

< < < The park offers 9 miles of hiking trails, many with views of Lake Superior.

nature trail on Madeline Island

 

Included among the trails are this self-guided boardwalk nature trail along separating the barrier beach and Big Bay Lagoon. > > >

 

 


Big Bay State Park Campground

camping at madeline island

 

< < < The park offers 60 camp sites, some more open like this one; others quite secluded. Recently the park has added electrical hookups on 15 of the sites.

big bay state park campsite

 

One of the new RV campsites, with electric hookups.

 

 

nature trail on Madeline Island

 

< < < Here's a map of the park and campground.

 


arrow Big Bay State Park Website

The only other camping on Madeline Island is at the Big Bay township campground north of the State Park. Previously it was primarily a tent campground and somewhat "rustic" in its accomodations. But recently RV sites have been added, plus showers and flush toilets, and other improvements like a huge picnic pavilion. We stayed there in June 2015 and found it in excellent shape. Modern washrooms and showers, spacious campsites, including 22 set up for RVs with electric service. Wi-Fi at the office. Good beach and a boardwalk hiking trail that connects to the State Park. A great addition to the Island.

big bay lagoon

 

See our profile of Madeline Island Big Bay Township Campground here.

 

bayfield city campground


Like Camping or RVing, see our Directory of Bayfield Area Campgrounds.

 

blueline

Madeline Island Links

Some helpful links for visiting and touring Madeline Island:

arrowMore things to see and do on Madeline Island

 

 

 

 


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