Basswood Island

Unless you're kayaking directly to Madeline Island, you can pick up the ferry in Bayfield and rent kayaks in La Pointe. If you're getting there with your own, start at Big Bay State Park and paddle to the south side of the island to see the sea caves. Then head back to the beach at Big Bay for lunch before paddling across the bay to Big Bay Lagoon.The sea caves and cliffs are an amazing sight ...

The largest of Wisconsin's Apostle Islands, Madeline Island is about the size of Manhattan, but extremely sparsely populated and a great place to explore a north woods ecosystem. The best way to get to the island is by ferry from Bayfield to La Pointe. From La Pointe, it is about a ten minute drive to Big Bay Town Park, the best place to camp on the island. There is a state park with camping, b...

Make a reservation (fees here) to secure a campsite. Find your campsite by entering GPS coordinates 46° 47' 18" N, 90° 40' 25" W or by using this map. Take advantage of the beautiful setting you are in! Take a dip in Lake Superior or go for a trek through beautiful Wisconsin nature. 

Starting at the parking lot, you will walk into an open field with a couple picnic tables. On the right side of the field, the trail enters into a forest and walks along Lake Superior. There are several spots along the trail that you can find to cliff jump and go for a swim. The lake is so clear that you can see where the bottom is and decide if you want to jump or not. If you continue hiking y...

Hop aboard the Madeline Island Ferry and head over to the largest Apostle Island. Bring your own kayak (atop your car) or rent one in La Pointe, Madeline Island's lively and eclectic town. Then make your way down Highway H to Hagen Road (a drive of 6 miles) to Big Bay State Park. Launch from beautiful Barrier Beach, a protected cove with a breathtaking view of Lake Superior. You'll have to carr...

Located at the tip of Wisconsin on Madeline Island, Big Bay State Park is a must see for any Wisconsinite. To get to Madeline Island, you'll need to purchase a round trip ferry ride in Bayfield. The ferry is a quick 20 minute trip across Lake Superior. Once you get onto Madeline Island, head out to Big Bay State Park which is about 10 minutes away. When you enter the park, head toward the campi...