Big Bay State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Big Bay State Park
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
Wisconsin's Big Bay State Park (2008)
Big Bay State Park Location in Wisconsin Show map of Wisconsin Big Bay State Park Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Ashland, Wisconsin, United States
Area	2,350 acres (9.5 km2)
Elevation	643 ft (196 m)
Established	1963
Governing body	Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Big Bay State Park is a state park of Wisconsin, United States, on Madeline Island, the largest of 22 Apostle Islands in Lake Superior. The 2,350-acre (951 ha) park has picturesque sandstone bluffs and caves and a 1.5-mile-long (2.4 km) sand beach. It encloses unique habitat types including lakeside dunes, sphagnum bogs, and old-growth forest. Bald eagles return annually to the park to nest and rear offspring.

The park, established in 1963, has picnic areas with tables, grills, water and toilets; a campground with drinking water, showers and toilets; an indoor camp for nonprofit groups; an outdoor group camp; and more than 9 miles (14 km) of trails, including nature trails. The park is open year-round, though winter visitation is mostly limited to hunters, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers.

All vehicles are required to purchase an admission pass, though pedestrians and bicyclists may enter free. To reach the park, visitors must take a 20-minute ferry ride from Bayfield, then travel approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) east on Highway H.