If you're seeking out four-season activity on the lakes of northwestern Wisconsin there's every reason to get excited about Hayward. Set just west of the Sprawling Chequamegon National Forest, within easy driving distance of Lake Superior and a stone's throw from local watery stretches, this small city serves well as a base for those exploring the region. In fact, some consider this one of the best all-around spots in WI to get some fresh air and exercise, but should a rainy day spoil your parade, there are sight-seeing options to keep visitors dry and entertained.
In Hayward, one of the stand-out attractions is the "alluring" National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. Find here an extensive museum and a muskie sculpture so big there's a railing in the mouth to keep people from falling four stories back to earth. Further occupy children in tow at the Wilderness Walk, complete with petting zoo and other diversionary things to touch. Come in summer and you might all be lucky to catch a lumberjack show ? the Lumberjack World Championships are held here. Fans of gangster flicks and history can grab a bite to eat, come hunger pangs, at The Hideout, once a haunt of Al Capone.
But the biggest draw to the area are the lakes and forest around Hayward. There's a museum dedicated to freshwater fishing in town for a reason: angling opportunities are everywhere, and large lunkers for lucky fisherman. Mountain bikers should be appeased with the 200 or so miles of rough and ready terrain, while canoers won't have cause to whine about the 98 river miles up for paddling on the Namekagon River. Hikers can, off course, find plenty of trails to trek on hand, and trade in sturdy boots come winter for a pair of telemarking skis, then zip along the American Birkebeiner Trail (about 27 miles) linking Hayward with Cable. But if snowy solitude is too much for the action-seeking visitor, join the hordes zooming through the region on the 600 miles of groomed snowmobile trails lacing the region.
Hayward is 71 miles south of Superior and 108 miles north of Eau Claire.
