Welcome to Big Bay State Park.

This geocache has been hidden as a part of the Wisconsin Geocaching Association's State Park series, the cache is hidden along the Bay View Trail.

Entrance into Wisconsin State Parks requires a pass. Either a one-day pass or an annual pass can be purchased at the park or online at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/admission

BIG BAY STATE PARK

Established in 1963, Big Bay State Park, is on Madeline Island, the largest of Lake Superior's 22 Apostle Islands. The 2,350-acre 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 has picnic areas, a campground with individual and group sites, an indoor camp for nonprofit groups and more than 9 miles of trails. The park is open year-round, though winter visitation is mostly limited to hunters, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers.

To reach the park, visitors must take a 20 minute ferry ride from Bayfield, then travel approximately 5 miles north on Highway H.

The Apostle Islands are remnants of sedimentary rocks deposited in the Lake Superior basin more than 600 million years ago. The islands have survived the crushing action of four glaciers during the past 100,000 years.

When Madeline Island reappeared from under the last glacier, about 15,000 years ago, Big Bay Lagoon was a large, shallow, open bay. Shoreline currents and waves soon built a barrier beach across the middle of Big Bay and later formed another barrier beach across the mouth of the bay. Big Bay Lagoon, thus, lies between two barrier beaches.

The 440-acre sand spit and bog area has been designated as a Wisconsin State Natural Area. This outstanding geological and scenic area is being preserved by the State of Wisconsin and the Department of Natural Resources for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

Big Bay State Park requires a fee to get in and enjoy the park. It is $5 for a one hour visit, $7 per day or $25 for an annual pass for Wisconsin residents. Non-residents are $10 daily or $35 for an annual pass. Please visit here for the current fee schedule: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/admission.html

Lake Superior North Woods

The northern tier of the Badger state is largely within a boreal forest biome.  Coniferous trees dominate this landscape, and with good reason.  This is a cold region with long winters and lots of snow.  Conifers are adapted to shed that snow with their evergreen needle leaves.  Their waxy branches retain moisture.  Wildlife that might be seen here are Timber Wolves, Black Bears, Porcupines and maybe even a Moose or two. Many of the warblers migrate to this region to nest.  Lake Superior’s cold water certainly has a big influence on the climate you’ll discover here…refreshing in the summer, invigorating in the winter.

WISCONSIN GEOCACHING ASSOCIATION

The Wisconsin Geocaching Association (WGA) is a group of geocachers dedicated to promoting and protecting geocaching within the state of Wisconsin. The WGA organizes geocaching events, works with land owners/managers on geocaching policies, educates the public at large about geocaching, and facilitates communication between WGA members. To learn more about the WGA visit: www.wi-geocaching.com

2013 kicks off the beginning of the Wisconsin Geocaching Association State Parks series. It is our goal to place a geocache in every state park in the state of Wisconsin so watch out for more in this series that encourages geocachers to explore the natural resources in this beautiful state of ours.


The Geocache Notification Form has been submitted to the park manager of Big Bay State Park. Geocaches placed on Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource managed lands require permission by means of a notification form. The DNR Notification form and land manager information can be obtained at: http://dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/forms/2500/2500-118.pdf