There are twenty-two Apostle Islands chilling and existing within our lovely Lake Superior, and among them is the largest, Madeline Island. Home of beaches, shops, good food, and last but not least, Big Bay State Park! It is a gorgeous park that accentuates the natural beauty of not only Wisconsin and its greenery but also the romantic whimsy of Apostle Island living.
Experience the gorgeousness of Lake Superior from its largest Apostle Island, and call it an adventure! Your journey to lakeside paradise awaits.
We’ll be taking a fun dive into Big Bay State Park, but we’ll also be sure to touch on fun spots you can explore on Madeline Island, like the iconic and eccentric Tom’s Burned Down Cafe! If you’re searching for adventure or things to do near Bayfield WI, your journey awaits at Big Bay State Park!
How To Get To Big Bay State Park
I’ll show you the way to Big Bay! First things first, you’ll need to hitch a ride on the iconic Madeline Island Ferry Line in Bayfield. As someone who’s been on the Ferry multiple times, I can say that it’s a pleasant and picturesque experience.
The only suggestion I would make is to wear a sweater/coat if you’re traveling in the Fall/Spring (and, of course, Winter!) because it can get a bit chilly with the wind blowing off Lake Superior. But my goodness, it is a breathtaking sight to gaze out over the timeless whitecaps and out to the bustling and cozy city of Bayfield while you’re on your way to a grand Island adventure.
Madeline Island Ferry Line Rates
Here is a general overview of the Madeline Island Ferry Line rates as of Spring 2024 to give you an idea for your travel. There are more details to have in mind, so please take a moment to visit their website before making plans for your super fun adventure! Below are the rates for individual passengers, which do not include if you were to bring a vehicle/bike on board.
Under 5 Years: Free
6-11 Years: $4 (One Way), $8 (Round Trip)
12 Years & Older: $9 (One Way), $18 (Round Trip)
For more in-depth details about the auto/bicycle fees for Madeline Island Ferry Line, please visit their website!
Wondrous acres of the Ojibway Tribe, Big Bay State Park was established around 1963 and has since provided a space for memories to be created amongst its beautiful 2,350 acres of land year-round. My Husband and I had a lovely time exploring the park and Madeline Island during our Big Bay Adventure! You can see a peek at Tom’s Burned Down Cafe towards the end of our short and silly video!
Big Bay State Park Address & Directions
As mentioned above, in order to get to Big Bay State Park, you’ll need to take a Ferry Ride (estimated to be around 25 minutes, depending on the season and weather conditions) to Madeline Island from Bayfield. I would suggest paying the extra fee to bring your car along since Big Bay State Park is about a 13-minute drive from the Ferry Line.
It’s also really handy to have your car if you’re camping on Madeline Island, so you have the freedom to drive into town and go out to eat or dawdle around. And if you are camping, don’t forget to pick the best camping pillow from our handy guide. Alas, if you’re staying at a hotel close to the Ferry, you could get away with a bike/bike rental if you’d like, and there are even moped rentals available!
Below are the written directions from the Ferry Line to Big Bay State Park, and also Big Bay State Park’s address and map.
Ferry Line to Big Bay State Park Directions
- Head southeast on 9th St/Le Seur St toward Co Hwy H
- Turn right at the 1st cross street onto Co Hwy H
- Turn left onto Co Hwy H/Chebomnicon Rd
- Continue to follow Co Hwy H
- Continue straight onto Hagen Rd
- The destination will be on the left!
Big Bay State Park Address
2402 Hagen Rd, La Pointe, WI 54850
Big Bay State Park Features
According to Big Bay State Park’s website, their hours remain from 6 A.M. to 11 P.M. year-round, and for all state parks, you must have a State Parks sticker to enter. Once you’ve made your camping reservations or purchased your admission and you’ve entered the park, an oasis of miles of Lake Superior shore, big green hiking trails, a lovely mile-long boardwalk, and outstanding sandstone bluffs await your eager eyes.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Big Bay State Park is 2,350 acres, including a 1.5-mile boardwalk, a 1.5-mile beach, and 4 unique hiking trails. Along with activities like camping and having a good old-fashioned campfire, picnic areas for a peaceful lunch or group gathering, and an array of winter activities, you can also take a trip to the beach and experience a dip and a glide on Lake Superior in your boat, kayak, canoe, or swimming!
It should be noted that Big Bay State Park does not allow campfires or pets on its beach, and there is no boat launch available on the beach. They do have a beach wheelchair for those in need of assistance. And if you don’t feel like lugging your own Kayak along for the trip, no worries, you can rent a Kayak at the park.
Psst…are you looking for the hunting and trapping details? Discover more about Big Bay State Park’s hunting and trapping guidelines here.
Hiking Trails at Big Bay State Park
If you’re a lover of hiking or you’re looking to give it a whirl, Big Bay State Park’s 4 unique hiking trails, spanning across 7 miles, is one heck of a Wisconsin Hiking Bucket List item! Please keep in mind that bikes are not allowed on the hiking trails, just the soles of your feet.
Below is a brief list of the hiking trails and their mileage at Big Bay State Park, and I encourage you to check out their website to read the detailed descriptions of each one!
- Bay View Trail
- 1.3 Miles (Loop 3.1 Miles)
- Boardwalk Trail
- 1.5 Miles (Loop 3.5 Miles)
- Lagoon Ridges Trail
- 2.6 Miles
- Point Trail
- 1.7 Miles
There are lots of critters, birds, and plant life to take in when you’re on the trail at Big Bay State Park. So be sure to bring a baggie with you to throw away your trash or pick up trail trash along the way, and take some time to embrace the beautiful landscape and wildlife around you.
Fun Spots on Madeline Island
There’s an abundance of fun, relaxing, enjoyable, and memorable activities to experience on Madeline Island (La Pointe); to name each and everyone would be a humungous list! With that being said, I’ll cover a few landmarks and leave the rest for you to dawdle around and explore for yourself. Sometimes, the best parts of an adventure are the surprises we don’t see coming.
“Great little free park perfect for kids. A little playground, nice sandy beach, and a sturdy pier to complete the picture. It can be somewhat loud and wet when the wind comes off the lake but that’ll keep the bugs away, too. There’s a parking lot for maybe a dozen cars, and street parking is also available. The park is in easy walking distance from anywhere in La Pointe.” – Dirk N ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Worth every penny, and reasonably priced. The owner is a local who has been doing this tour for years, and kayaking many more before that. He is intentional in everything – from how he interacts with everyone, to the kayaking lessons he gives, to the planned stops along the tour, all the photos he takes along the way to help you remember your experience, and more. Stops on the tour include a beach and a swim, sea caves, and a place to cliff jump. Sometimes you pay for an experience and feel like you didn’t get your money worth – that’s not the case with this tour. It was an awesome experience that we’d do again in a heartbeat. Plus, kid friendly, and a limited number of participants on each tour means you get to know the people you’re with. We had a great experience all around – would recommend to anyone looking for a kayak tour in the area.” – Erika N ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Howdy, island adventurers! I recently had the pleasure of stumbling upon the one-of-a-kind Tom’s Burned Down Cafe on Madeline Island, Wisconsin, and let me tell ya, it was a quirky experience like no other. Now, let’s start with the name itself – Tom’s Burned Down Cafe. Yes, you read that right. This place is literally a bar that was once burned down and then creatively rebuilt with salvaged materials, giving it a unique and eccentric charm. The atmosphere is laid-back, with a funky mishmash of decorations that’ll have you scratching your head in wonder. The drinks? Well, they might not be the most sophisticated or refined, but boy, are they strong! It’s the kind of place where you order a simple beer or a classic mixed drink and enjoy it for what it is. The service is as relaxed as the island life, with friendly bartenders who are always up for a chat. Now, this place isn’t for everyone – if you’re looking for a fancy cocktail lounge, look elsewhere. But if you’re up for a quirky, offbeat bar experience that captures the true spirit of Madeline Island, then Tom’s Burned Down Cafe is the spot for you. So embrace the unconventional, grab a drink, and enjoy the peculiar ambiance of this island gem. Cheers to the unexpected! 🍻🔥🏝️” – N.J. S ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wonderful museum! Amazing to see all the history of the island. Rob made the experience even better with his knowledge and stories he shared with us! Our two kids also enjoyed it!” – Holly R ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The food is really good! I highly recommend the chicken sandwich and seafood chowder. You go in and order yourself, you have a number you put on your table, and if it’s nice, snag a table outside by the water! Cute ducks and boats to watch. The food is really worth the price!” – S S ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“What an incredible staff. They make the best chai tea in town. On a deeper level, I love their ‘pay it forward’ board that allows customers to chip in to buy someone else’s drink. What a wonderful, community forward sentiment. Also, the best gluten-free options in town! More places should follow their exceptional lead.” – David G ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Grampa Tony’s on Madeline Island
“An excellent spot on Madeline Island and a great first stop off the ferry. A good variety of outdoor, patio, and indoor seating. Pizza was delicious and served in a timely manner. Staff was helpful and friendly. Ice cream was delicious 🍦” – Jacob P ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
There’s more fun on Madeline Island to be had aside from these awesome local businesses. Take a trip and adventure for yourself to see the neat shops, scenic trails, and beautiful local art this amazing Apostal Island on Lake Superior has to offer!
When trying to choose things to do around Bayfield Wisconsin, I hope exploring Big Bay State Park and Madeline Island make your list! Because there are so many nooks and crannies to check out, memories to create, and pieces of yourself to find.
