Big Bay State Park

Big Bay State Park
Wisconsin State Park
Wisconsin's Big Bay State Park (2008)
Country United States
State Wisconsin
County Ashland
Location La Pointe
 - elevation 643 ft (196 m)
 - coordinates 46°48′0″N 90°40′22″W / 46.80000°N 90.67278°W / 46.80000; -90.67278Coordinates: 46°48′0″N 90°40′22″W / 46.80000°N 90.67278°W / 46.80000; -90.67278
Area 2,350 acres (951 ha)
Founded 1963
Management Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
IUCN category V - Protected Landscape/Seascape
Location of Big Bay State Park in Wisconsin

Big Bay State Park is a state park of Wisconsin, United States, on Madeline Island, the largest of 22 Apostle Islands in Lake Superior.[1] 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.[2]

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.[2]

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) north on Highway H.[2]

References

  1. "Big Bay State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. 1 2 3 "Big Bay State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 2012-05-09. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
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