Big Bay State Park

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Big Bay State Park is in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on Madeline Island, the largest of 22 Apostle Islands in Lake Superior. The 2,350-acre (9.51 km²) park, has picturesque sandstone bluffs and caves and a 1.5-mile sand beach. It encloses unique habitat types including lakeside dunes, sphagnum bogs, and old-growth forest. Bald eagles return annually to the park to nest and rear offspring.

The park, established in 1963, has picnic areas with tables, grills, water and toilets; a campground with drinking water, showers and toilets; an indoor camp for nonprofit groups; an outdoor group camp; and more than nine miles of trails, including interesting nature trails.

All vehicles are required to purchase an admission pass, though pedestrians and bicyclists may enter free. Vehicles with Wisconsin license plates pay a lower rate than those with out-of-state plates. The park is open year round, though winter visitation is mostly limited to hunters, snowshoers and cross-country skiers.

To reach the park, visitors must take a 20 minute ferry ride from Bayfield, then travel approximately five miles north on Highway H.