Big Bay State Park

Star4.39
101 reviews
Big Bay State Park

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Allowed

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Wisconsin DNR site

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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.
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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.39

Recommended

Based on 101 reviews

891 Google reviews

Most mentioned

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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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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.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

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.
    Historical SignificanceLocated on Madeline Island (one of the Apostle Islands and the only one not federally protected), the park is a prominent local recreational area and island destination for beaching and hiking.
    Weather and SeasonsLake 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.
    Natural Features and SceneryWander through authentic boreal forest where towering pines give way to scenic boardwalks leading you across boggy wetlands to stunning Lake Superior vistas. The park's trail system—including the dramatic Bay View Trail, peaceful Lagoon Ridge Trail, and scenic Point Trail—guides you through diverse landscapes where rocky cliffs meet sandy shores. Stand at the water's edge and watch Superior's powerful waves crash against ancient rock formations, or find your own quiet stretch of beach framed by the endless blue horizon.
    Geological RegionApostle Islands / Lake Superior shoreline — Northwoods/boreal forest with rocky and sandy beaches, bogs and cliffs
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    Campsite details

    Total Campsitesnull campsites

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    Reserving a campsite

    Tents
    Tents are allowed
    RV vehicles
    RV vehicles are allowed
    Primitive
    Primitive are allowed
    Reservable
    Reservations are allowed
    Reservation PlatformsGoingToCamp (https://wisconsin.goingtocamp.com)

    Amenities available

    Showers
    Potable water
    Fire rings
    Picnic tables
    Flush toilets
    Vault toilets
    Electricity hookups

    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
    Numerous trails including Bay View Trail, Point Trail, Lagoon Ridge and Woods Trail; trails range from easy boardwalk beach walks to longer coastal hikes.
    Fishing
    Fishing on Lake Superior is possible from shore; visitors note it can be challenging for smaller fish.
    Swimming
    Sandy 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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    Campground rules

    • Pets are allowed

    Hazards

    General hazardsHeavy 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.

    Weather at Big Bay State Park

    4
    °F
    Dec 14
    Sunday
    Overcast
    Precipitation: 0%
    Humidity: 79%
    Wind: 9 mph
    Overcast
    Weather History
    Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
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    Reveal forecast

    Good to know

    Common complaintsHeavy mosquitoes, biting black flies and ticks (especially in boggy walk-to sites); drainage problems in some walk-to tent sites after rain; occasional water pump failures or shutoffs affecting showers and site water; ferry cost/transport to Madeline Island noted as an added expense.

    Campground Map

    Big Bay State Park
    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

    Reviews from booking and map sources

    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 December 14, 2025
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