Winter in Wisconsin can be pretty brutal. However, the cold weather does bring a few perks, such as the opportunity to drive on water… well, sort of. During the cold months of winter, Lake Superior freezes over, creating what has come to be known as the Madeline Island Ice Road, a thoroughfare between the Wisconsin mainland and Madeline Island. But you can do more than drive along the icy roadway. It’s also a popular spot for skating and biking.

Picture-perfect and brimming with nautical charm, Madeline Island is a popular destination. Accessing it requires hopping aboard a ferry, which may have caused you to wonder, "Can you drive to Madeline Island?"
Madeline Island Ferry Line/Facebook
And the answer is yes! During winter, you can actually drive to the island via the Madeline Island Ice Road. Exactly as it sounds, the road is made of ice - more specifically, the frozen waters of Lake Superior.
visitashland.com
Spanning about 1.9 miles, the Madeline Island Ice Road, or Bayfield Ice Road as it is sometimes called, links the city of Bayfield to La Pointe on Madeline Island.
Madeline Island Ferry Line/Facebook
And though ice roads aren’t necessarily rare, the Madeline Island Ice Road is unique in the fact that it’s the only ice road that appears on official state maps.
Lynn U/TripAdvisor

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Once open for the season, the road is frequently monitored to ensure the safety of those trekking across the frozen waters of Lake Superior.
Bayfield, WI/Facebook
Aside from upkeep, there’s some prep work involved with operating the seasonal roadway. Each year, discarded Christmas trees are used to mark the Ice Road.
Madeline Island Ferry Line/Facebook
The Madeline Island Ice Road isn’t just for vehicles, though. A popular destination during winter in Wisconsin, the icy route is also open to ice skaters and bikers.
Madeline Island/Facebook
And when the icy waters are too thick for ferry service but too thin for vehicles, the Madeline Island Windsled becomes operational. An experience all its own, the Windsled is basically a flat-bottomed airboat that can travel on the ice but will float should the ice not be thick enough.
Madeline Island/Facebook

Watch the video below for a whole new perspective on the Bayfield Ice Road.

For more information on the Bayfield Ice Road and/or the Windsled, call (715) 747-5400. You can also visit the Bayfield County website.

So, did you know about the Madeline Island Ice Road? Have you ever driven across it? If so, how was it? Know of another one-of-a-kind drive in the state? What are some other unique things about winter in Wisconsin? How do like to enjoy the season? Share your thoughts with us!

While the Madeline Island Ice Road is one of the most unique roadways in the state, it is not the only one with a widespread reputation. There is also this famously curvy road in Wisconsin, which unlike the Madeline Island Ice Road, is open year-round, not just during winter in Wisconsin.

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Winter In Wisconsin

Daniella DiRienzo | November 28, 2022

How can I have fun during winter in Wisconsin?

There are lots of ways to have fun during winter in Wisconsin, including:

 

What are the best winter festivals in Wisconsin?

There are several winter festivals in Wisconsin worth attending. Here are a few of the best winter festivals in Wisconsin:

 

What are some other ways to explore Lake Superior in Wisconsin?

The Bayfield Ice Road is just one destination that offers access to Lake Superior in Wisconsin. There are several others, including:

 

Is Madeline Island the only island in Wisconsin?

Madeline Island is not the only island in Wisconsin. There are a few others. Here are a few of the islands in Wisconsin:

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