Big Island Lake Wilderness

Natural Surroundings
Big Island Lake Wilderness is located centrally in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. White birch, maple and aspen cover the wooded hills that surround the lakes. Berries, mushrooms and wildflowers grow throughout the area. A wide range of wildlife and waterfowl, including sensitive species, may be observed but should not be disturbed. Click here for pdf map.  Link to purchase Big Island Lake Wilderness Map.

This wilderness contains 23 small lakes ranging in size from 5 to 149 acres. Some of the lakes are connected by maintained portages while some of the lakes are remote, making access more challenging.  See the General Information section below for more details about the portages.

Also, please be aware of the threat of spreading invasive species into our Wilderness waters by reading this brochure.

Wilderness Courtesy
Mechanized equipment (including radios, bikes, portage wheels, motors, carts, trailers, ATVs or other wheeled devices) is not allowed in designated Wilderness. The use of horses and pack stock is prohibited. Solitude and non-disruptive enjoyment of the natural setting are essential to the Wilderness experience.

You can help preserve the Wilderness quality by practicing "Leave No Trace " camping. 

Day Use and Camping Day use opportunities include off-trail hiking, flat-water canoeing, and fishing. There are no designated footpaths, so most hiking is cross-country and requires strong orienteering skills.  Several portage trails lead into Wilderness lakes where fishing and flat-water canoeing opportunities exist.