READ MORE FROM OUR APOSTLE ISLANDS FEATURE HERE.
The largest Apostle is the only one not included in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Madeline Island, about 12 miles tip to tip, has limited roads and some development – just enough to provide a few creature comforts without sacrificing the wildness that makes the Apostles special.
When the U.S. government bought up the land from private owners among the islands, they left this one alone to preserve its economic development. Nevertheless, one-third of the island is protected by a state park and a wilderness preserve.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
While the town of La Pointe technically encompasses all but three of the Apostle Islands, the only semblance of an actual town clusters around Madeline’s west-end ferry dock and extends a short distance south along the shore to the island’s golf course. Lodging options include cabins, cottages, condos, B&Bs, a modest collection of rooms and suites, and, of course, camping.
Madeline Island Museum, a cluster of four historic buildings, tells the island’s tale, and dining ranges from tavern fare to supper club. Be sure to visit the legendary laid-back watering hole, Tom’s Burned Down Cafe, which is exactly what the name says, with ramshackle charm and a tent over the top of it. It’s a curious taste of island life.
Getting There & Away
Board the Madeline Island ferry in Bayfield for the 25-minute crossing, with or without your car – you can rent bicycles and mopeds in La Pointe. If you choose to stay on Madeline during your trip, Adventure Vacations runs boat and kayak tours to the other islands, and you can rent a paddle craft for the big lake or the state park’s lagoon.
Big Bay State Park
Featuring picturesque, lake-carved sandstone bluffs, the 2,350-acre park lies on a sort of peninsula along the southern side of the island. Its 4 miles of lakeshore include a boardwalk trail that follows a barrier beach connecting it to Big Bay Town Park to the north.
Behind that sand is a protected lagoon and boggy state natural area – great for paddling and birdwatching. The 60-site family campground has flush toilets and showers; seven sites are walk-in. The park’s location away from Bayfield gives visitors a darker sky, making it excellent for stargazing.
Madeline Island Wilderness Preserve
More than 2,900 acres are protected by the preserve, primarily in two large chunks at the south and north ends of the island. Casper Trails is a modest series of loops totaling 2.8 miles of accessible trails about a 10-minute walk from the ferry landing.
The North End Trails are more rustic and comprise three loops with a perimeter hike of 8 miles through stands of cedars, hemlocks, maple, oak and birch, with wetland areas, making it prime habitat for a variety of birds.
