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Bayfield County |
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Bayfield County Attractions At the top of Wisconsin, on the southern shore of Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the western hemisphere, is Bayfield County -- a land shaped by glaciers, wind and water, where tranquil fishing villages, logging towns and Native American communities, established here before Columbus landed, continue to reflect the area's richly varied heritage. Chicago Tribune travel writer Alan Solomon described the City of Bayfield, the gateway to the Apostle Islands, as "a place where the lake is sparkling, the beaches clean, the fish abundant and hungry, the golf courses challenging and beautiful, the dining creative, the lighthouses photographable, the hiking shaded, the bears reclusive, the sunsets magical…as a travel destination this is the Best Little Town in the Midwest." Today logging continues on a smaller scale with modern equipment, but visitors can visit and experience the sights and sounds of an old-fashioned sawmill operating in the town of Herbster. Commercial fishing has also declined but the fishing camps and villages still nestle along the shore with old fish boats and distinctive old waterfront fishing sheds now house art, gift, craft, antique and collectibles, old-fashioned general stores and historic settlers' cottages. Area museums tell fascinating stories of the early settlers, Ojibwa, Spanish, French and English, as hunters, voyageurs, missionaries, traders, loggers, quarry workers, farmers, commercial fishermen, sailors, lighthouse keepers, and railroaders. Underwater, along the rocky shoreline, present day explorers will find the well-preserved remains of historic sailing ships and fishing vessels. Bayfield County's most precious asset is the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, with 21 islands and 12 miles of pristine shoreline with soft sand beaches, rocky cliffs and mystical sea caves - magically transformed to crystalline halls in winter - and more lighthouses than any other coastline in the United States. The County's Lake Superior shoreline hosts the nation's largest fleet of chartered and rental sailing vessels. Lake explorers can sail on captained three-masted schooners, chartered cruisers, sea-going kayaks, canoes, or one of the many sailboats for rent. The largest of the Apostle Islands, and the only island with commercial development, Madeline Island, has been settled for more than 400 years, including by the Ojibwa people who arrived in the 15th century. The 180 permanent present day residents include some direct descendants to the earliest settlers. Madeline Island is linked to the mainland in winter by Country Highway "H", a five-mile ice road. In early and late winter, while Highway "H" is forming and melting down, crossings are made by windsled, part boat and part plane. From early spring to mid-winter, crossings are by a more conventional but no less adventurous car ferry. In the 1840's
the La Point Chippewa formed a new settlement at Red Cliff, north
of Bayfield. Today Bayfield County is a wildlife observer's paradise. With 23,161 acres of surface water, 966 lakes (398 with access and fish to challenge anyone), 400 miles of streams (some wild, most tranquil, all beautiful) 1,476 square miles of land (83% forested), Bayfield County's diverse landscape and plant communities host hundreds of bird and animal species, many of which are found only here. Much of inland Bayfield County is covered by the gently rolling terrain of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, dotted with lakes and streams, where recreational activities and scenic landscapes are virtually unlimited year-round. In summer, forest activities include sightseeing from highland overlooks, fishing, hiking, ATV's, horseback riding and wilderness camping. In winter, forest lakes and trails host cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice-fishing and snowshoeing. The area also boasts two downhill ski areas, Mt. Ashwabay and Mt. Telemark, where skiers can count on the average 73" annual snowfall to provide the best conditions available anywhere in the state. Golfers can choose from more than 16 courses in Bayfield County, from the Scottish links-style Madeline Island course designed by Robert Trent Jones, the championship Telemark Golf Course and spectacular Apostle Highlands scenic 18 holes, to sporty nine-hole courses at the Mellen Country Club and Spider Lake Golf Resort. The nation's largest and most prestigious cross-country ski event, the Dyno American Birkebeiner, the nation's largest off-road bicycle event, the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival; the Great Schooner Race, Fall Color Festival and the Bayfield Apple Festival head the list of fun and sporting events that draw thousands of visitors to the area year-round. Others come to enjoy one of the 70-plus live shows performed in summer in Chautauqua, just south of Bayfield. Bayfield County's restaurants have been included on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's ten best list and praised in the New York Times. Area offerings waiting to be discovered include secret sauces, fish chowders, blueberry pancakes and fresh fruit pies. Cuisine varies from home cooking (better than Grandma's) to gourmet preparations featuring freshly harvested and bountiful fruit, fish, and vegetable specialties. Bayfield County offers a wide range of lodging accommodations, from rugged wilderness campsites to bayside villas, historic bed and breakfast mansions, economy motels, romantic and secluded forest cabins, housekeeping cottages and luxurious lakeside resorts. No matter how
long it takes to get here, Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua singer/songwriter,
Warren Nelson, wrote, "Your Getaway Is Your Arrival".
The people of Bayfield County are waiting to welcome your getaway. Back
to top Lakeview School
Museum Madeline Island
Historical Museum Northern Great
Lakes Visitor Center Apostle Islands
National Lakeshore Museum Cable Natural
History Museum Drummond Historical
Museum Hokenson Brothers
Fishery Museum Mason Historical
Museum Washburn Historical
Museum & Cultural Center Western Bayfield
County Museum Apostle Island
Lighthouses Michigan Island Light Station features two light towers. The first, built in 1857 of rough stone with a conical tower and whitewashed stucco exterior, was supposed to have been constructed at the western end of Long Island. The second light, located atop a 112-ft. cylindrical tower that was brought from its original location on the Delaware River near Philadelphia, replaced the original in 1929. Long Island Light Station features two lights; the La Pointe light, originally a small clapboard house with a squared timber tower, constructed at the western end of the island in 1857, now sitting atop a brick first story added along with the present 67 ft. cylindrical tower in 1895; and, the Chequamegon Point light, a 42 ft. tower also constructed in 1895. Raspberry Island Light, constructed in 1863, originally was a rectangular frame structure with a forty-foot tower. A red brick building housing a steam fog whistle and hoisting engine was added in 1902 and the lighthouse building was converted to a duplex in 1906-07, with the keeper's quarters in one half, and the two assistant keepers sharing the other. Outer Island Light Station, built in 1874 on a red clay bluff 40 feet above Lake Superior, the whitewashed brick lighthouse tower stands 90 feet high. A short wooden passageway connects the tower with the keepers quarters, a three story red brick building with a large chimney and an attached kitchen. Sand Island Light, constructed in 1881 in Norman Gothic-style, is the only lighthouse in the Apostles constructed of locally quarried brownstone. Devils Island Light, lit first in 1891, with a two story Queen Anne - style keepers' dwelling, and an 82 ft. steel tower constructed in 1898. Apostle Islands
Historical Sites Back
to top Chequamegon
National Forest Backcountry camping is permitted throughout the forest on public land located at least 30 feet from any trail or waters' edge. The Rainbow Lake and Porcupine Lake Wilderness areas offer backpackers and hikers 11,000 rugged acres of nature at its quiet best; no wheeled or motorized vehicles are allowed. Families with young children, and others looking for short and easy paths through the forest will find several trails with interpretive stations. All are easily accessible and can be enjoyed in as little as half an hour. The Forest Lodge Nature Trail, maintained by the Cable Natural History Museum, is a family favorite. Skyscraping towers, cliff-lined gorges and 70 foot waterfalls are found along the forest's more challenging trails, including the North Country National Scenic Trail, part of a 3200 mile trail linking the Appalachian Trail in Vermont with the Lewis and Clark Trail in North Dakota. Mountain bike enthusiasts will find more than 300 miles of mapped and marked trails stretching from Hayward to Iron River. Developed and maintained by the Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association, CAMBA trails are well-marked, "impossible to get lost on," and follow a variety of paths including logging roads, firelanes, snowmobile trails, ski trails and single tracks. Hundreds of miles of excellent trail systems allow snowmobilers to travel the uncrowded solitude of the forest, over well-groomed logging roads, firelanes and converted railbeds with 200 to 585 footbridges from Hayward to Mason, Iron River and Port Wing. In the heart of the forest, the Forest Service maintains an extensive network of trails that are open for horseback riding. The 12-mile Horseshoe Lake Saddle Trail, suitable for riders of all abilities, has two adjoining loops of varying lengths to explore. The US Forest Service also maintains a number of cross-country ski trail systems in the forest, including Rock Lake, Namakogon, Drummond, Penokee Mountain, West Torch and Mukwonago trails. All are groomed for classical skiing except Mukwonago, which provides for both classical and skate skiing. Families will enjoy canoeing the Namakagon River as it flows south from Lake Namakagon and the north flowing White River. The Namakagon offers light rapids, occasional picnic grounds and camping areas along the shore. The White is a slower, meandering river with a deeper basin. Forest lakes and streams provide angling thrills for novice and expert alike. Lake Namakagon is one of three Wisconsin lakes managed for trophy musky production; regularly yielding 40+ inchers. Lake Owen has walleye, too, and is known for its outstanding bass and northern yield. Forest streams yield brook trout, rainbows and browns. Crappies and other panfish are plentiful in all of the forests waters, including the many wilderness lakes that are only accessible by foot and best fished by belly boat. In winter, of course, the fish are available through the ice. Ice fishing equipment is available for rent in nearby boat, bait and tackle shops. Forest woodlands offer great hunting with little competition from others. In season, whitetail deer, black bear, ruffed grouse, and waterfowl are most commonly hunted. But the forest also yields woodcock, gray squirrel, snowshoe hare, fox and coyote. Private campgrounds located on the shores of the forest's lakes offer boat ramps, sandy beaches, boat, motor and canoe rentals, electrical hookups, water, showers and flush toilets. Big Bay State
Park Apostle Islands
National Lakeshore Private sailors, boaters and kayakers can travel around the archipelago to explore the fantastic sea caves carved into sandstone cliffs along the islands and mainland shoreline and view the seagull, cormorant and great blue heron rookeries on Eagle Island, which is not accessible to visitors. On many of the islands explorers will find hiking trails that provide close-up views of the island's diverse plant, bird and wildlife populations and historic sites. There are more that 50 miles of maintained trails and camping is permitted on 18 of the 21 islands. Bicycles and mechanized vehicles are not permitted on the islands or the mainland shoreline. Park activities include sailing, boating, sea kayaking, camping, hiking, picnicking, swimming, scuba diving, shipwreck exploration, excursion cruises, sport fishing, hunting, cross country skiing, and guided programs. Permits are required for camping, scuba diving and hunting. Special permits are required for the annual October black powder deer hunt on Oak and Basswood Islands. Capser &
Meech Hiking Trails Squaw Bay Caves Mt. Valhalla
Recreational Area Lake Superior
Water Trail Back
to top Bayfield Apple
Festival Bayfield Farmers
Market Bayfield Festival
of the Art Bayfield Boat
Festivals Wooden Boat Rendezvous
(August) Red Cliff Cultural
Days Architectural
Walking Tour American Birkebeiner
XC-Ski Race |
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