Big Bay Town Park

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Managed by the Town of La Pointe, Big Bay Town Park offers an amazing recreational experience on the north end of Madeline Island’s Big Bay. Camping, hiking, swimming and watercraft rental awaits those looking for an amazing place to enjoy Lake Superior.

The park, located about 6 miles from the island’s ferry, offers 61 campsites, a swimming beach, a boardwalk and miles of hiking trails. Flush toilets and showers are available during the summer months and vault toilets are available year-round. During the summer months, the campground is often busy, and reservations are strongly encouraged.

No lifeguards are staffed at the swimming beach, so be sure to swim within your abilities and keep a close eye on children while they are swimming. Pets are welcome at the park, provided they are leashed.

Prior to enjoying your day at the beach or on the water, please check the local weather forecast and be attentive to changing conditions. Questions can be directed to the park’s office at 715-747-3031

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Water Quality

Passed water quality tests at least 95% of the time
Historical Status
This status is based on the latest sample, taken on September 5th, 2022. Milwaukee Riverkeeper updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. These results were posted to Swim Guide on September 5th, 2022 at 11:52 AM.

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Current Weather

7°C

Cloudy

View this beach on Great Lakes Guide

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Monitoring Frequency

Source Information

Heath Units in Wisconsin test beaches from May through September. When sample results are posted on the Wisconsin Beach Health website, Milwaukee Riverkeeper updates Swim Guide.

Recreational public beaches in Wisconsin are tested May through September. High priority beaches are sampled at least five times per week. They are posted when a single sample exceeds 235 E. coli / 100 ml or when the geometric mean of samples collected over a 30-day period exceeds 126 E. coli / 100 ml. Medium priority beaches are sampled at least twice per week. Low priority beaches are sampled at least once per week. They are posted when a single sample exceeds 235 E. coli / 100 ml. All beaches will be closed if E. coli in a single sample exceeds 1,000 / 100 ml.

In the USA, the Environmental Protection Agency has two sets of recommendations for freshwater and marine beaches. A single sample at a freshwater beach should not exceed 235 E. coli / 100 ml of water. A single sample at a marine beach should not exceed 104 Enterococci / 100 ml of water. The geometric mean of 5 samples from a freshwater beach should not exceed 126 E. coli / 100 ml of water. The geometric mean of 5 samples from a marine beach should not exceed 35 Enterococci / 100 ml of water. States may choose to use this standard or they may substitute a standard that is "as protective as" the EPA's recommendation. The Beach Act is the nation's primary beach protection law.

Water Quality Graph