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The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is one of only a few National Park sites in Wisconsin and includes 12 miles of mainland along with 21 islands (more at https://www.nps.gov/apis/index.htm). You can paddle, sail or boat to these beautiful islands or enjoy the beaches and hiking trails at the mainland locations. Learn about the history and culture of the area along Read more...

Along with being a great place to get delicious drinking water, the well is also historic.  Located in Thompson’s West End Park. “The Sprague Well, believed to be the first drilled artesian well in Bayfield County, was completed at 119 feet 8 inches in April, 1903 by Monroe H. Sprague at the mill office of the Akeley–Sprague Lumber Co. Flow Read more...

Washburn has a vibrant arts scene! Here in the northern reaches of the Bayfield peninsula, the arts are thriving. Take in some live theater at StageNorth, attend a visual art exhibit opening at the Washburn Cultural Center, enjoy a summer night of music under the stars at the Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua, or network with an artist at an Read more...

Bayfield County offers 180 plus miles of trails for year-round fun and great riding experiences. Please stay on designated trails, ride safely and obey all laws. All designated ATV trails and road routes in Bayfield County are also open to registered UTVs. Trails and roads under National Forest jurisdiction are open to UTVs 50 inches wide or less. Non-Resident Trail Read more...

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Big Rock Campground is located three miles northwest of Washburn via County Hwy C and Big Rock Road. Known for its rustic campsites and a Class A trout stream, the adventurer will love exploring its possibilities. For more information on Big Rock Campground, please contact Bayfield County Tourism at 715-373-6125. Read more...

Biking All types of biking are thriving in the Washburn Area and growing in popularity. Road biking dominates the biking scene because of the many superb paved roads around Washburn. Newly paved County C, from Washburn to Cornucopia, offers a wider shoulder, welcoming bikers on this 20 mile stretch with light traffic volume. Just past Mt.Valhalla Recreation Area on County Read more...

Birch Grove Campground is north of Long Lake. Rustic campsites nestled between East and West Twin Lakes provide a great opportunity for family fun and relaxation. This campground is a family favorite. Birch Grove Campground has 16 campsites and is nestled between East Twin Lake (22 acres) and West Twin Lake (16 acres). Each campsite has a parking spur, fire Read more...

This is a very unique area! We’re on the south range of many of the Northern species and on the edge of some of the Southern birds as well. We have a great variety of habitats, bogs, marshes and conifer forests. Lake Superior acts as a corridor for migrating birds and insects. They follow the shoreline because its productive for Read more...

Washburn is the jumping off point to all things boating. Boat Launches at the Washburn Marina and Thompson’s West End Park.  $5 per day or an annual fee of $30.  Can be purchased at Washburn City Hall, Leino’s Gas and Goods and Holiday Gas Station. Read more...

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest covers more than 1.5 million acres of Wisconsin’s Northwoods. The Chequamegon side of the forest covers about 858,400 acres in Ashland, Bayfield, Sawyer, Price, Taylor and Vilas counties while the Nicolet side covers nearly 661,400 acres in Florence, Forest, Langlade, Oconto, Oneida and Vilas counties.   Visit the USDA Forest Service website to find maps and Read more...

Lake Superior, Chequamegon Bay, local streams and rivers offer up a fisherman’s paradise year round.  Rainbow, Brown and Brook Trout, Salmon, Large and Small Mouth Bass, Walleye, Northern and Perch are just some of the fish you’ll be after. In town, the Coal Dock gives everyone a safe place to fish from or launch your boat from 2 landings. Just Read more...

Geocaching has become a favorite family activity that entertains not only familes with young children but adults looking for challenging and very difficult to find caches. Bayfield County provides the perfect setting for geocaching as the rugged terrain and breathtaking views combine to make for an entire day or even a week of treasure hunting. With over 50 geocach sites Read more...

Hiking opportunities abound! There are miles and miles of trails  that can take you through the woods, along the rivers and on the Lakefront.  Old growth pines, fish jumping the falls, Lake Superior views from sandstone cliffs are just some of the sights.  The natural beauty and unique and uncommon scenery may just take your breath away! Download a printable Read more...

Check out Dog-Paddle Kayak in Washburn Check out Solstice Outdoors in Ashland Check out Trek & Trail in Bayfield Check out Lost Creek Adventures in Cornucopia Read more...

Wisconsin Lake Superior Byway is the State’s Newest Scenic Byway Download Scenic Byway Brochure The dream of a designated scenic byway for the Bayfield Peninsula is now a reality. The Wisconsin Lake Superior Byway received its official State of Wisconsin confirmation in fall of 2012. This 70-mile stretch of STH 13 follows the shoreline of Lake Superior from the roundabout intersection Read more...

Welcome to our executive golf course, par33/66. We greet you with a great view of our Chequamegon Bay! With eight bridges, a couple ponds and fresh aromas from the beautiful natural flowers and trees surrounding the wooded fairways you will enjoy a round or two of golf. Perhaps you will want to warm up your golf rounds with a bucket Read more...

Washburn Memorial Park Campgrounds Overlooking Lake Superior among towering pines, Memorial Park has 48 campsites, showers, sandy beach, picnic tables, electric hook-ups, pavilion, and playground. Memorial Park built after WWI, honors returning veterans and those lost while serving their country. It was here where hometown boy, future swimming, and surfing legend Tom Blake learned how to swim and surf. The Read more...

If you’re an avid cyclist and haven’t yet been to Bayfield County, you’re missing out!  Cyclists are an elite group of people who share common interests in exploring new territories, bonding friendships or making life long connections, and priding your ride.  There’s a real sense of freedom when your’re on two wheels, especially when you can take in all the Read more...

Mt Ashwabay is located 3 miles South of Bayfield, Wisconsin. Our hill overlooks the Chequamegon Bay of Lake Superior, and the beautiful Apostle Islands. With over 65 acres of skiable alpine area, and over 40km of cross-country trails, we’re sure you’ll find our place special.   Read more...

The Washburn Athletic Field Complex located at 3rd Avenue East and Memorial Park Drive, consists of three ball fields, one for regulation Little League, High School Baseball, and softball. The park, provides off- street parking lots accessible from either 3rd Avenue East and 1st Avenue East. The park consists of a pavilion building consisting of a covered picnic area, concession Read more...

Recreation and Fitness Resources Recreation and Fitness Resources is your Bayfield-based non-profit organization that brings you the Bayfield Area Recreation Center and its programs and classes, Aspire Martial Arts, North Coast Community Sailing, Point to LaPointe Swim, Bayfield Winter Festival, and 1% for Recreation. Bayfield Area Recreation Center The Bayfield Area Recreation Center is a true community center for the Read more...

XC Ski Trails Mt. Valhalla – Valkyrie and Teuton Ski Trails : These trails are maintained by the Forest Service. Their are 2 sets of trails ; the Teuton – 3 loops 4 -7 km , more / most difficult , skating and classic and the Valkyrie – 3 loops , 2- 10 km easy to more difficult , classic Read more...

Washburn is your Northern Bayfield County Snowmobile Hub!  Located on the beautiful Chequamegon Bay of Lake Superior, Washburn offers groomed trail access right through town giving riders access to both North and Southbound trails. From Washburn, you can access over 600 miles of groomed trails and 1000 miles of forest roads to explore in Bayfield County and throughout the Chequamegon Read more...

Thompson’s West End Park offers a full camping experience combined with the convenience of being located within city limits. Named after long time mayor Hans J. Thompson, Thompson’s West End Park has 45 campsites, boat launch, fishing pier, dump stations, artesian well, electric hook-ups, handicap accessible bathrooms, showers, sandy beach, picnic tables, pavilion, and playground. Just beyond the shore are Read more...

Imagine 4 miles of pristine sand beach overlooking the apostle Islands on Lake superior. Sail boats passing by in front of you while eagles soar overhead. Across Chequamegon Bay, the Porcupine mountains provide the perfect backdrop to this scenic panarama. The town of Bayview is centrally located between Washburn and Bayfield, Wisconsin. Home of Houghton Falls Nature Preserve, Chequamegon National Read more...

The Washburn Lakeshore Parkway and Walking Trail is a 1.34-mile long non-motorized, moderate hiking trail with a packed limestone surface.  The parkway weaves among the beaches and bluffs of the lakefront.  The trail extends from Thompson West End Park, winding its way through the Washburn Marina, past the ball park on Pumphouse Road and finally through to Memorial Park. The Read more...