Is Big Bay State Park first-come first-served or reservation?

Big Bay State Park accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Big Bay State Park before I book?

Yes! Big Bay State Park has 10 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Big Bay State Park?

Yes, Big Bay State Park has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Big Bay State Park have?

Big Bay State Park has 66 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Big Bay State Park?

Yes, pets are allowed at Big Bay State Park. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Big Bay State Park?

Big Bay State Park offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Electrical Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Big Bay State Park?

Popular activities at Big Bay State Park include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Big Bay State Park

4.42

112 reviews

Big Bay State Park

Top 19% in WIFall

B+Report Card

Romantic GetawayScenic ViewsPeace & QuietSummer Destination

Featured in:Best Campgrounds Wisconsin

Quick Facts

650 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

66 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

ElectricShowers

Book on Wisconsin DNR Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

650 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

66 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

ElectricShowers

Book on Wisconsin DNR Official Website

Get Directions

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.

No paid fee categories listed.

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Campground Map

Big Bay State Park

46.7881, -90.6734

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

Weather at Big Bay State Park

Best Time to Camp at Big Bay State Park

Fall offers the best combination of comfortable days, dramatic lakeside color, and far lighter crowds. Daytime highs typically run 45–60°F with crisp nights in the 30s–40s. Trails and boardwalks through the boreal forest and bogs are at their most photogenic, and fishing and wildlife viewing (including migrating waterfowl) are excellent. Ferry access remains reliable through October, making late September and early October ideal for peaceful shoreline hikes and photography. Spring and summer bring mosquitoes, black flies, and ticks in force, especially around boggy areas. Lake Superior stays cold year-round. The lake moderates temperatures but also generates its own unpredictable weather.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

5.0 / 5

Top 19% in WI

Overview: fall offers best combo of comfortable days, dramatic color and far lighter crowds.

Planning Tips

About Big Bay State Park

Big Bay State Park sits on the northern tip of Madeline Island, accessible only by ferry across Lake Superior. The campground offers 66 sites split between electric and non-electric loops, with additional walk-to tent sites tucked into the boreal forest. Cell service is nonexistent. Views of Lake Superior, a long boardwalk through bogs, and miles of shoreline trails draw visitors willing to make the crossing.

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.

Weather and SeasonsFall offers the best combination of comfortable days, dramatic lakeside color, and far lighter crowds. Daytime highs typically run 45–60°F with crisp nights in the 30s–40s. Trails and boardwalks through the boreal forest and bogs are at their most photogenic, and fishing and wildlife viewing (including migrating waterfowl) are excellent. Ferry access remains reliable through October, making late September and early October ideal for peaceful shoreline hikes and photography. Spring and summer bring mosquitoes, black flies, and ticks in force, especially around boggy areas. Lake Superior stays cold year-round. The lake moderates temperatures but also generates its own unpredictable weather.

Natural Features and SceneryThe park straddles Lake Superior's rocky and sandy shoreline at 650 feet elevation, where boreal forest meets open water. Trails like Bay View and Point Trail wind through stands of pine and along cliffs before dropping to the beach. A popular boardwalk crosses wetlands and bog, leading to dramatic lake vistas. Superior's waves crash against ancient rock formations on the northern shore, while calmer sandy stretches curve south. The lagoon and ridgeline trails show off the island's interior forest and wetland patchwork.

Geological RegionApostle Islands / Lake Superior shoreline — Northwoods/boreal forest with rocky and sandy beaches, bogs and cliffs

Scenic ViewsPanoramic Lake Superior views, rocky cliffs and bays; overlooks and a long boardwalk to beaches offer strong shoreline vistas and dark night skies.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsGoingToCamp (https://wisconsin.goingtocamp.com)

Total Campsites66 campsites

Best CampsitesWalk-to tent sites offer privacy and wooded settings but can be boggy after rain. Drive-in sites in the non-electric loop are frequently praised for spacing and quiet. Sites with beach access get mentioned often in reviews. The electric loop tends to be drier underfoot but offers less privacy.

Need help booking Big Bay State Park?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

GoingToCamp Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Campground has a mix of drive-in sites (electric and non-electric), walk-to tent sites, a shower house, vault toilets, potable water pumps, and fire rings/tables at sites. Wood is sold in the campground.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

RV details

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.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

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.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.4

112 reviews

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 112 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...

Based on 112 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...

Based on 112 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....

Based on 112 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 112 reviews

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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.

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Going To Camp

Provider

Go if

Fall hikers and photographers get the best of it: the Bay View and Point Trail corridors peak in late September, crowds thin out, mosquitoes are gone, and the ferry still runs reliably through October.

Skip if

The walk-to tent sites flood after rain and the bog-edge insects are brutal in summer, and several reviewers flagged friction with other campers that went unresolved, so light sleepers and families expecting a mellow vibe should think twice.

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Reservable

72.966 km

No fees available

Campgrounds

Wisconsin State Parks, Wisconsin

Big Bay State Park

B+

Camper Report Card

How campers graded it

Rated higher than 87% of graded campgrounds

Graded on what 92 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.

Strengths

Grade A-.Things to do
Grade A-.Booking
Grade B+.Scenery

Watch-outs

Grade D.Rules & policies
Grade C.Bugs & weather
Grade C+.Safety

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.

How we grade →See how Wisconsin grades overall

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