Wisconsin State Park System
Big Bay State Park

Park Info

Welcome

Big Bay State Park is on Madeline Island, the largest of Lake Superior's 22 Apostle Islands. The 2,350-acre park has a 1.5-mile beach; campground with drinking water, showers and toilets; an outdoor group camp; picnic areas; and more than seven miles of hiking and nature trails with incredible views of Lake Superior. Bayfield and Madeline Island also offer bus tours, golfing, art galleries, marinas and the old La Pointe Indian Burial Grounds - Ojibway (Chippewa) Indians were the original inhabitants of the area.

• Camping and Reservations
• Activities and Recreation
• Trail Descriptions
• Views of the Park

Directions

Madeline Island Ferry boats [exit DNR] operate on regular schedules between Bayfield and La Pointe from April to December. County Highway H loops around Madeline Island from La Pointe. To get to Big Bay State Park, take Highway H counterclockwise (Middle Road) from La Pointe about 4 miles to Hagen Road and continue east on Hagen Road about 2 miles to the park entrance. Geographical coordinates are 46° 47' 18" N, 90° 40' 25" W.

No launching facilities are available at the park, but boats can be launched at the public landing in Bayfield or at a privately operated landing on Madeline Island. (Consult the Coast Guard at Bayfield for Lake Superior navigation information).

Hours

• The park is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Park Fees

• A vehicle admission sticker is required.
• Hunting and Fishing Licenses apply.

Explore the Outdoors

Explore the Outdoors

• Geology of Big Bay
• Wisconsin Explorer Program
• Forest Forever Packs
• Great Lake Park Packs
• Take Smokey Camping

Maps/Publications

Park Maps

• Big Bay State Park and Campground Map [PDF 255KB]
• Hunting Map and Information
• Winter Map [PDF 175KB]
  

Park Planning

• Master Plan [PDF]

Wisconsin State Park System (WSPS)

• WSPS Plans and Reports

In the Area

Department of Tourism Listings

• Madeline Island and Bayfield [exit DNR]

More In the Area

• Bayfield [exit DNR]
• Madeline Island Historical Museum [exit DNR]
• Apostle Islands National Lakeshore [exit DNR]
• Lake Superior Water Trail - Wisconsin Segment
• Wisconsin's Maritime Trails [exit DNR]