Madeline Island Ferry Line

Enjoy Nature on Madeline Island

A Madeline Island map will show you that there are many spots to visit on the Island by car or bike. Gorgeous sand beaches stretch a mile or so from Big Bay State Park to the Town Park, but that’s not the only beach on the island. There’s Joni’s beach close to town. The beach that joins the parks is a barrier beach, one of few in the United States. Behind the barrier beach is a lagoon which is home to countless types of wildlife, and you can take a walk on the board walk that goes through the lagoon. Various signs along the way will explain what you are seeing. For a closer experience with nature, you can even camp in either of these parks (Big Bay Town Park or Big Bay State Park). For Mother Nature at her majestic best, you can get a view of other islands and Michigan from the lookout at Big Bay Point. Watch the waves as they crash up on the boulders there and imagine what thousands of years of weathering have done to them. Short hiking trails wind along the shoreline, and frequently you can see eagles soar above the pine trees. Various wetlands have been preserved in their natural state through the Madeline Island Wilderness Preserve. You can hike longer trails through these wetlands. At the end of your day in the wild, relax and have a soak in a hot tub-many of the island’s accommodations have them-or watch a pink and blue sunset give way to a starry night on the lake. Most bars and restaurants have outdoor seating for you to enjoy.