Big Bay State Park – Camp/Hike/Kayak/Fish/Bike

This event is open to everyone. Big Bay State Park is on Madeline Island, the largest of Lake Superior's 22 Apostle Islands. The 2,350-acre park has a 1.5-mile beach, campground with drinking water, showers and toilets, an outdoor group camp, picnic areas and more than seven miles of hiking and nature trails with incredible views of Lake Superior.

Big Bay State Park has one outdoor group camp. The group site is about a half mile from the family campground and has a modest view of Lake Superior. The site has its own hand pump and vault toilet. Showers and flush toilets are centrally located in the family campground.

There are seven miles of hiking trails at Big Bay State Park that wind through varied habitat, some of which are detailed through interpretive signage. Many visitors bring canoes and kayaks to the park and carry them to the beach. From the beach, visitors can paddle around the bay and the lagoon or explore the sea caves around the point. Big Bay State Park is part of the Lake Superior Water Trail. Private vendors offer guided kayak tours in the park in season. Kayaks are available for rent at Big Bay Town Park. Private vendors also offer various guided boat tours around the Apostle Islands. The 1.5-mile beach is a great place to bask in the sun. The day-use picnic area is equipped with picnic tables, grills, drinking water and restrooms. Anglers can catch northern pike in the park's lagoon and several species of trout in Lake Superior. A Wisconsin fishing license is required to fish.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome. Pet owners are reminded that pets must be on a leash no longer than 8 feet and attended to at all times while visiting the park. Pets are not allowed on the Big Bay State Park beach.

Directions
2402 Hagen Road, La Pointe, Wisconsin, 54850
Driving Directions: https://maps.google.com?daddr=46.7881,-90.6734
Please be advised a short ferry ride from Bayfield to Madeline Island is needed to reach the park. Madeline Island Ferry boats operate on regular schedules between Bayfield and La Pointe from April to December. Complete Madeline Island Ferry Line fees and schedule can be accessed at: [www.MadFerry.com](http://www.madferry.com/) or 715-747-2051. No boat launch facilities are available at the park, but boats can be launched at the public landing in Bayfield.

Weather
This is an early summer trip on Lake Superior. Please check the weather forecast and come prepared for various temperatures. The weather on Madeline Island at the end of May is typically around 60°F for the average daytime high and 40°F for the average low. The water temperature is usually in the 40's during May and June.

Friday
We will be at Group Site #1 both nights. Arrive any time after 3pm. Get your tent set up and relax. Make dinner at camp or go into town to dine at one of La Pointe's several restaurants on your own or with other campers.

Saturday
Have breakfast and start exploring the park. We can plan a few hikes, take a kayak or boat tour, bike around the island, challenge ourselves by jumping in the chilly water, relax on the beach, or have a picnic lunch by the water.

Sunday
Check out is at 1pm. We’ll have breakfast and pack up, and we can do another group activity, or you can venture off on your own to explore the island, spend more time relaxing on the beach, do some fishing, or check out Bayfield before heading home.

Fees
Your $15.00 meetup fee covers $10 in 2 nights of camping costs, $3 in Meetup fees and $2 in firewood. The fee DOES NOT cover personal equipment, food, ferry fees, or extra activities. WI state park vehicle admission stickers are required for any motor vehicles brought into the property. Stickers can be purchased at the property or online. Payment is due 48 hours after signing up. Full refunds will be honored if notified by May 15th. Please send your fee by Venmo to Julie @J-Kisely or to Sherri by Zelle at 414-759-6317. If paying via Zelle, please text Sherri at 414-759-6317 and let her know your name and that the funds should be applied to the Big Bay camping trip. If you need to make alternate payment arrangements, please message me.