August is one of my favorite months of summer.

At Seagull Bay, we’ve found our rhythm. Guests are bustling throughout the property. They’re laughing and sharing stories of their Bayfield adventures. We’re hearing stories of hiking, biking, and kayaking. Some guests are raving about the latest Big Top Chautauqua show. And others are busy picking blueberries.

But if I’m honest there’s a change in the air. The days are getting shorter and the nights a little cooler. Whispers of the upcoming school year and school supply lists are beginning to enter my email.

I’m reminded that summer doesn’t last and I need to savor these beautiful days leading into September. I’m reminded that our days are numbered at our beloved Bayview Beach.

The Lake Superior South Shore and Bayfield County have some of the best beaches in Northern WI. Long sandy shorelines accented by sandstone sea caves and green forests.

We want you to experience this for yourselves. To hear the sand squeak under your feet and to dip your toes in the cool Lake Superior water. We want you to breathe in the lake air and get lost in your favorite novel for an afternoon.

Our ultimate beach guide features the best beaches in the Bayfield area.

Is There a Beach in Bayfield, WI.?

We get this question all the time. If you’ve been to Bayfield before you know Bayfield’s shoreline is home to marinas, commercial fishing docks, and the Madeline Island Ferry.

But if your looking to dip your toes in Lake Superior the Broad Street Bathing Beach is a short 5-minute walk from Seagull Bay in downtown Bayfield.

This cozy beach is nestled next to Bodin Fisheries. You can watch the fishing boats come with their daily haul of whitefish and lake trout. The Broad Street Beach was once called Reiten’s Boat Yard where fishing boats were laid to rest after years of fishing on the big lake.

But what if you’re looking for a picturesque Lake Superior beach to spend an entire day or afternoon? A public one where you can walk along its shores searching for beach glass. A place where you can lay your towel down, slather on sunscreen, and close your eyes.

Here are the 4 best beaches within 30 minutes of Seagull Bay.

Friendly Valley Beach and Bayview Beach

Bayview Beach and Friendly Valley Beach is found right off highway 13 between Bayfield and Washburn. It’s an easy 10-minute drive from Seagull Bay. Despite its two names, it’s one beach with two entrances.

If traveling south on highway 13 turn left onto Bayview Park Road and you’ll immediately see cars parked on the drive leading to the beach. This is Bayview Beach entrance.

On the Bayview Beach side, you’ll find a renovated train depot that pays tribute to the railway line that once traveled along the Lake Superior Shore. You’ll also find a pavilion with picnic tables and vault toilets.

Drive less than ¼ of a mile further south and you’ll see the drive leading to the other entrance of the beach. This is Friendly Valley Beach.

This beach with two entrances extends from the Onion River approximately 1 mile into the Sioux River and its sloughs. This is where the locals go – a short drive from Bayfield or Washburn. There’s plenty of shoreline to spread your blanket, set-up up your beach chair, and enjoy a packed cooler of delicious snacks while looking out in Chequamegon Bay.

The Beach at Frog Bay Tribal National Park

This beach is one of the best-kept secrets in the Bayfield Peninsula. Frog Bay Tribal National Park is a 15-20 minute drive from Seagull Bay in Red Cliff.

Frog Bay Tribal National Park is home to 300 acres of boreal forests, estuaries, and 4,000 feet of undeveloped Lake Superior shoreline.

At Frog Bay Tribal National Park you’ll find 1.7 miles of hiking trails. The beach trail is lined with blackberries and thimbleberries for you to nibble on when walking to its secluded shoreline.

If you’re looking to get away from everything and everyone – this is perfect for you. Grab your favorite book and get lost in its pages while sunbathing on this sandy shore.

Meyers Beach in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Meyers Beach is a popular spot for sunbathing and kayaking. It’s the gateway to the infamous Sea Caves of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

Located on north Highway 13, Meyers Beach is a 20-minute drive from Seagull Bay. With over a mile of shoreline, it’s nestled between the communities of Red Cliff and Cornucopia, WI.

Meyers beach is the launching place for many kayaking outfitters. It’s the perfect place to paddle along picturesque sandstone cliffs and through its caves on emerald waters.

If you’re wishing to anchor your feet on land, check out the well-known 2.4-mile rustic hiking trail. It weaves its way along the shoreline and leads to the top of the sea caves.

Kick off your sandals and look for Lake Superior beach glass buried in the sand. Or after hiking submerse yourself into the cool water and take in the western horizon.

Cornucopia Beach

Cornucopia Beach is located in Siskiwit Bay in Cornucopia, WI. and is a 25-30 minutes drive from Seagull Bay.

Another local favorite, this beach includes a ¼ mile of shoreline, an artesian well, picnic, and playground area.

Its shallow waters make it kid friendly. It’s also within walking distance to many of Cornucopia’s amenities including:

• Gift shops
• Halvorson’s Fish Market
• Ehler’s General Store and Deli
• Cornucopia’s Coffee and Sweet Shoppe (ice cream)

This beach is excellent for families or for the spontaneous beachgoer that has only their towel, a suit, and their favorite bag of chips.

Rest Along the Lake Superior Shoreline at Seagull Bay Lakeside Motel

After a relaxing day spent on the beaches of Lake Superior come dust the sand off your feet and slip into our fluffy white duvets at Seagull Bay.

Don’t worry about missing the beach because our motel properties are one of the few that sit above the shoreline of Lake Superior. Open your windows, listen to the sound of the waves caressing the coast, and let the soft breeze soothe you to sleep.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or family lodging, we have rooms to fit a group of any size.

Our aesthetic is simple and minimalistic – white linens, light wood accents, and pops of blue and gray to pay tribute to our harbor town.

Whether you decide to lay your towel down at Bayview Beach, hike at Frog Bay, or rest on the balcony outside your room – you’re never far from the refreshing waters of Lake Superior.

Book NOW, September will be here before you know it…

Your room is waiting!

Mollie, Isaac, Axel, Ridge, and Banks

QUICK LINKS:

City of Bayfield – Beach

Beaches | Bayfield County, WI – Official Website

Frog Bay Tribal National Park

Meyers Beach (U.S. National Park Service)

Cornucopia Beach