No trip to the beautiful Madeline Island in Northern Wisconsin is complete without a visit to Big Bay State Park. Known for its beautiful beach, miles of hiking trails, and stunning views of Lake Superior, Big Bay should be on your summer bucket list.
I spent a day exploring Big Bay State Park during the Summer of 2024 and was in awe of the beauty and tranquility found within the park.
In this post you’ll learn all you need to know about Big Bay State Park so you can plan your next adventure, including where it’s located, how to get there and what to do within the park.
When you make purchases through the links in my post, I may earn commissions at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As always, I only provide links to products and services I recommend.Read my full disclosure here.
Where is Big Bay State Park?
Big Bay State Park is located on the eastern edge of Madeline Island, along the shores of Lake Superior. You must take the Madeline Island Car Ferry from Bayfield to La Pointe to get to Madeline Island, and then drive, bike or walk to the state park.
Can you Camp in Big Bay State Park?
Camping is allowed in Big Bay State Park. The park has 60 campsites available to reserve through the Wisconsin State Park System. 21 sites have electrical hookups and 7 sites are walk-in sites. There is also one outdoor group camp.
There are 5 sites that are plowed and reservable during the winter months. The sites have electrical hook-ups and must be reserved in advance.
If you do not want to camp, Madeline Island offers several lodging options. You can also visit just for the day and take a ferry back to the mainland in the afternoon/early evening.
Entrance to Big Bay State Park
There is an entrance fee required for Big Bay State Park. Visitors must have the Wisconsin Annual State Park Vehicle Sticker or purchase a day pass before visiting the park. The day pass is $13 for Wisconsin license plates and $16 for out-of-state plates.
What to Bring
– Hiking Shoes
– Water shoes/water proof sandals – I love Chacos for a great waterproof sandal option
– Towel – This towel is compact and fast-drying
– Swimsuit
– Book/Kindle
– Snacks
– Beach Chair
– Sunscreen
– Hat
– Bugspray
Things to do in Big Bay State Park
Hike
Big Bay State Park provides seven miles of beautiful hiking trails that showcase the varied landscape of the park.
– Bay View Trail (1.3 miles): This trail is popular for viewing the rugged cliffs of the park and spotting wildlife.
– Boardwalk Trail (1.5 miles): The Boardwalk Trail is a well-designed trail that is flat and easily accessible. It follows the water for most of the way and also provides views of the wetlands. Dogs are not allowed on this trail.
– Lagoon Ridges Trail (2.6 miles): This trail takes hikers around the lagoon and wetlands located within the park.
– Point Trail (1.7 miles): The Point Trail is a connecting trail with the Bay View Trail near the tip of the point.
Kayak
There is no boat launch in the park, although many will bring kayaks and canoes and carry them to the beach area. The park also rents kayaks seasonally. This is a great spot to view the sea caves.
Swim
Big Bay State Park is home to a gorgeous 1.5 mile swimming beach. The Lake Superior water is refreshingly cold and clear, and the beach is large enough for everyone to spread out and have plenty of space. I spent several hours relaxing at the beach and reading while Sam swam in the cool water.
Conclusion
Big Bay State Park is one of my favorite Wisconsin State Parks and I’d recommend everyone visit if you have the chance. It’s truly so peaceful and the beach is beautiful. You can also explore Madeline Island during your visit which is an added bonus.
