Big Bay State Park

Star4.39
101 reviews
Big Bay State Park
Summer Destination

Quick Facts

650 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

66 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Wisconsin DNR site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026
Big Bay State Park
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Camping fees are set by the Wisconsin State Parks system; check the Wisconsin GoingToCamp site for current rates and specific site fees.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.39

Recommended

Based on 101 reviews

891 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquietcleanspacious

Some mention

mosquitoes

"Visitors overwhelmingly praise Big Bay State Park for spectacular Lake Superior views, a long boardwalk and clean, well-maintained trails and restrooms. Campers highlight roomy, wooded campsites and a peaceful, remote feel; common negatives are biting insects, occasional boggy walk-to sites and intermittent water/service issues."

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Campground Map

Big Bay State Park

Big Bay State Park

46.7881, -90.6734

Driving directionsPark is on Madeline Island and requires ferry access from the mainland (Bayfield). From the ferry/La Pointe area drive roughly 5–6 miles to the park entrance.
Accessible only via ferry to Madeline Island; after ferry arrival the park is reached by local roads (see ferry schedules for vehicle transport).
Nearby places
La Pointe (about 5–6 miles by road from the park)
Bayfield (mainland ferry departure point)
Nearby supplies
Town of La Pointe (about 5 miles) — limited shops and services
Bayfield on the mainland is the ferry departure point for additional services

Best Time to Camp at Big Bay State Park

Lake Superior works its magic on the local climate, keeping things cooler in summer and milder in fall—though that legendary cold water stays brisk year-round. Spring and summer bring vibrant life (and yes, mosquitoes, black flies, and ticks, so pack your repellent), while autumn offers a peaceful escape with fewer crowds and spectacular color. Superior's weather has a mind of its own, so checking conditions before your ferry crossing is always smart planning.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Beaches and trails in summer are excellent though water is cold and mosquitoes can be heavy.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.5 / 5

Lake-moderated fall conditions and scenic foliage make fall especially appealing.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Spring brings life but also boggy sites and heavy biting insects in wetlands.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.0 / 5

No winter-specific facilities noted; island access and cold limit winter recreation.

Planning Tips

    About Big Bay State Park

    Escape to Madeline Island's crown jewel, where Big Bay State Park welcomes you with a perfect blend of rugged Lake Superior coastline and peaceful woodland retreats. Your ferry ride to this remote paradise leads to spacious, tree-shaded campsites just steps from pristine sandy beaches, where the rhythm of Superior's waves becomes your soundtrack for true northwoods serenity.
    Drive-in campground with a mix of electric and non-electric drive-in sites plus walk-to tent sites in wooded areas; sites accommodate tents and trailers.
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    Amenities available

    Showers
    Potable water
    Electricity hookups
    Flush toilets
    Fire rings
    Picnic tables

    Activities you can enjoy

    Big Bay State Park is centered on Lake Superior shoreline activities and forest trails — hiking, swimming, beach access via an extensive boardwalk, wildlife viewing and cliff features for exploration.
    HikingNumerous trails including Bay View Trail, Point Trail, Lagoon Ridge and Woods Trail; trails range from easy boardwalk beach walks to longer coastal hikes.
    FishingFishing on Lake Superior is possible from shore; visitors note it can be challenging for smaller fish.
    SwimmingSandy and rocky beaches on Lake Superior with clear, cold water; Barrier Beach and other sandy areas are commonly used for swimming.
    Wildlife viewing
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    Policies & Safety

    Hazards & AlertsHeavy mosquitoes and biting black flies in warmer months, ticks, occasional bear activity implied by bear-proof receptacles, boggy/poorly drained walk-to tent sites that can flood after rain, rocky cliffs (use caution near edges and for diving), and limited or no cell phone service in the campground.
    No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

    Weather at Big Bay State Park

    Reviews

    4.4
    101 reviews
    Recommended
    Recommended
    Big Bay State Park is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
    Visitors overwhelmingly praise Big Bay State Park for spectacular Lake Superior views, a long boardwalk and clean, well-maintained trails and restrooms. Campers highlight roomy, wooded campsites and a peaceful, remote feel; common negatives are biting insects, occasional boggy walk-to sites and intermittent water/service issues.
    Review Summaries
    Based on 101 reviews

    What Campers Love

    Frequent compliments for the boardwalk and beaches (sandy and rocky), scenic coastal trails (Bay View, Point Trail), clean shower house and vault toilets, spacious and private campsites, and...
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    Based on 101 reviews

    Common Concerns

    Heavy mosquitoes and biting black flies, especially in boggy walk-to sites; poor drainage leading to soaked tents after rain; dirty, poorly maintained bathrooms with few stalls/showers; no trash...
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    Based on 101 reviews

    Pro Tips & Recommendations

    Bring insect repellent and rain gear, expect cold Lake Superior water for swimming, bring or plan for ferry costs to Madeline Island, and be prepared to pack out trash if receptacles are unavailable....
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    Based on 101 reviews

    Camper Quotes

    "Big Bay is home to arguably the best designed drive-in campground in Wisconsin’s state park system."; "The boardwalk was very impressive"; "Beautiful well kept park with an awesome sandy beach..."
    Based on 101 reviews
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    Last updated February 17, 2026
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