Map showing campground location near La Pointe, Wisconsin

Camper submitted image from Big Bay State Park Campground

Big Bay State Park Campground

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Big Bay State Park sits on Madeline Island in Lake Superior, and getting there requires a ferry ride from Bayfield. That's not a minor detail. RV campers pay based on vehicle length, and passengers traveling by car pay separately, so budgeting for the crossing is part of trip planning. The park covers roughly 2,350 acres and holds 60 campsites, including 7 walk-in sites, with both electric and non-electric options available. Sites are well-spaced and wooded, with each one including a picnic table and fire ring with grate. Large rigs have made the crossing successfully, though campers should confirm current ferry dimensions before loading up.

Water access is a recurring theme in reviews. The 1.5-mile beach along Lake Superior draws swimmers and anglers, and guided kayaking tours to sea caves are available nearby. The park has 8 trails ranging from 0.1 to 4 miles, including a flat boardwalk that follows the bay and connects to Big Bay Town Park, where dogs are allowed on the beach (they are not on the state park beach). The town of La Pointe provides restaurants, a laundromat, and equipment rentals for bikes, mopeds, and kayaks.

Facilities include a shower house, vault toilets at most locations, and water stations with hose hookups throughout the park. There is no dump station on-site; the nearest one is at the airport approximately 5 miles away. "Once you get to the park, it is quiet and filled with natural beauty," notes Debra M., who visited in mid-July and found the weather cool enough to skip the air conditioning. This campground works best for campers willing to plan around the ferry logistics in exchange for an island setting with direct lake access and a well-maintained trail network. Those wanting to compare campgrounds near La Pointe before committing can browse additional options in the area.

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Map & DirectionsBig Bay State Park Campground is located in Wisconsin near La Pointe

Public Campground

Coordinates

46.78790368 N
90.67735155 W

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Connectivity

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Last on 8/17/26
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

Connectivity

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Possible Coverage
Verified by 24 users
Last on 8/17/26
Verizon
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AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Pull-Through Sites

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

1 hr 45 min from Duluth, MN
3 hrs 7 min from Eau Claire, WI
3 hrs 25 min from Wausau, WI
3 hrs 50 min from Minneapolis, MN

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Reviews7 Camper Reviews - Big Bay State Park Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

7 Reviews

Campers regularly cited the well-maintained, spacious sites and clean facilities on this unique Lake Superior island location accessible by ferry. The pet beach restriction was noted by some visitors, though families found plenty of activities and natural beauty.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Tori K.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 22, 2025

Spacious wooded sites, but little privacy

Sites are fairly large and have lots of trees and woods surrounding them. You get a handicap picnic table and fire pit with grate at each site. Big rig friendly. Saw a motorhome so you can fit and you can get on the ferry over!! There is one bathroom with showers and the rest are vault toilets. There is a hiking trail right out of the campground and biking is an option too!

Site14

Month of VisitJune

(9) View All

Lesley R.

Legend

Reviewed Nov. 4, 2022

Located in the Apostle Islands

Lake Superior island, board a ferry in Bayfield to get there! Oozing with either romance or budding curiosity for kids. Once there, tons of hiking along the lake, beach, through the woods, swimming, boating, bird watching, fishing and the bridge connecting two islands. Oh my! Camping in the woods is great for families, camp host was helpful. Highlight was the 360 degree view of Lake Superior from the cliff from the back road adventure time.

(9) View All

Rebecca P.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 30, 2022

Amazing

Great campground clean and nice getaway

Site33

Month of VisitAugust

(9) View All

Jenna W.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 10, 2021

Clean, quiet island camping

Family of 4, very nice campground. Clean and convenient restrooms. Nice beach and campsites are spread recently apart.

Site49

Month of VisitAugust

Debra M.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 18, 2021

Was it worth$162 Round Trip to bring our RV to Madeline Island– Yes!

Big Bay State Park is on Madeline Island in Lake Superior and is one of the Apostle Islands. The only way to arrive is by ferry boat. It is pricey to bring your RV. Ours is only 26 feet but we had a bike rack and two bikes that brought our total length to 30 feet. If you are a tent camper and traveling in your car, it will be about $27 for your car and$16 for each passenger round trip. www.madferry.com

The first thing about Big Bay State Park is your RV is on a ferry boat. The ferry is very organized but small and depending on the time of day and day of the week you may need to wait for more than one ferry to depart. Once you get to the park, it is quiet and filled with natural beauty. The campground has both electric and non-electric sites. We visited in mid-July and it was cool and breezy and we did not need our air conditioning. There is no dump station at the park. There is a dump station at the airport about 5 miles away where you can dump.

This is the first WI State Park I have seen with hose hook up on the water stations. There is a drinking fountain, bottle filler and hose hook up on each water station and there are many of them through out the park. We were able to fill our RV from the hose hook up. There are 60 sites with 7 walk in sites. All sites are well spaced and have a newer picnic table and fire ring/grill. The park is very well kept with 8 trails in distance from.1 to 4 miles. The Boardwalk trail that follows the bay is flat and has many interpretive signs. It connects to the Big Bay Town Park. The beach was not crowded when we visited mid-week and views of Lake Superior where breath taking. When you arrive by ferry you are in the town of La Pointe. There are restaurants, shopping, a laundromat, bike, moped and canoe/kayak rentals. It is six miles from La Pointe to Big Bay State Park.

Site46

Month of VisitJuly

(19) View All

James M.

Legend

Reviewed Feb. 27, 2021

Large Campground on Madeline Island

Lots to do especially for water activities. Long beach, shower house, family sites, State Natural Area, nature programs and more. Took guided kayaking tour to the caves. Town is nearby for any needs. Ferry ride required unless you have a boat.

(8) View All

Randi

Traveler

Reviewed Oct. 22, 2020

Camping on an Island

This 2,350-acre campground was well-maintained and is located on Madeline Island (the largest Apostle Island) on Lake Superior.

You need to take a ferry to get there and I took Madeline Ferry and it was easy even with an RV.

Big Bay State Park does not allow dogs (pets) on the 1.5-mile long beach which was disappointing, however, there was another campground (Big Bay Town Park) on the Island that had a fabulous pet-friendly beach so I spent time there.

There are several hiking trails and Big View Trail was scenic along Lake Superior.

Big Bay State Park experience video:
https://youtu.be/LHGZdC6y-A0

Month of VisitAugust

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the elevation of Big Bay State Park Campground?

Big Bay State Park Campground is located at 641 feet.

Are fires allowed at Big Bay State Park Campground?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Big Bay State Park Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Big Bay State Park Campground have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Big Bay State Park Campground does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Big Bay State Park Campground?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, there is some coverage for AT&T, possible coverage for T-Mobile, and no coverage for Verizon.

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