Burnett: Discover Nature, Waterways, and History
Accommodation in Burnett
Burnett combines expansive natural areas, waterways, and vivid regional history. Particularly characteristic is the Crex Meadows Wildlife Area in western Burnett County: wetlands, pine and oak barrens, and forests form a landscape spanning 30,000 acres where active outings and impressive nature observations can be combined. The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, with its river sections, historic sites, and opportunities for paddling, boating, fishing, camping, and hiking, is also part of the region’s character.
Crex Meadows as a Starting Point for Nature Experiences
The Crex Meadows Wildlife Area can be reached via Highway 70 in Grantsburg. The visitor center is located at the intersection of County Road F and County Road D and provides clear orientation for visiting the area. The Crex Meadows wildlife areas are open daily around the clock without an admission fee. This allows you to fit your visit flexibly into your travel plans without having to commit to a specific visiting time.
Several different options are available for walks and longer routes. North of the visitor center, there is an archery course with 20 targets that can be walked, as well as a practice area. The approximately 2-mile Hay Creek trail system includes a boardwalk. In the Upper Phantom area, there are approximately 3.5 miles of hiking and cross-country ski trails, and an approximately 1-mile trail leads through the camping area. The various routes allow you to shape your day according to your preferred level of activity without combining all the trails into a single loop.
Water activities are also possible at Crex Meadows: canoeing and kayaking are permitted on the waterways and water diversion ditches, except in the protected areas. A special seasonal highlight occurs in October and early November. At that time, 15 to 20 percent of the world’s population of sandhill cranes is found at Crex Meadows and in the surrounding areas of western Burnett County.
Rivers, Forests, and Trails for Active Days
Nearly 80 miles of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway lie in Burnett County, including sections of the St. Croix River and the Namekagon River. In the northern part of the county, the Namekagon River has launch sites and is suitable for canoeing, kayaking, and tubing. In the larger river corridor, more than 200 miles of clean water amid a forested landscape are available for paddling, boating, fishing, and camping. Those planning a holiday with different daily rhythms can combine nature trails and water activities in this way.
The Burnett County Forest provides additional options for other forms of activity. Timberland Hills includes a 20-mile mountain biking trail network. The trails are also groomed for classic and skating-style cross-country skiing. The Burnett County section of the Gandy Dancer Trail is slightly more than 20 miles long. In Governor Knowles State Forest, hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling are among the listed trail activities. In the Town of Webb Lake, the Big Bear Lake Association maintains a 2-mile hiking trail.
History and Special Places
Burnett is shaped by more than just nature. Forts Folle Avoine Historical Park includes an Ojibwe village that provides insight into the lives of the Ojibwe during the fur-trade era. The park also includes a logging museum and a one-room schoolhouse. Guided tours and an events calendar complement the offerings. This allows a day in the region to be expanded with historical perspectives without losing sight of the destination’s natural character.
Other special destinations provide smaller, more focused highlights. Sacred Grove east of Webster is a labyrinth 60 feet in diameter intended for quiet reflection. Brant Brook Pines on the St. Croix River consists of large old red pines; its origins are estimated to date back to the mid-1880s. East of Grantsburg, Burnett Dairy Cooperative was founded in 1896 and remains a fully equipped cooperative.
Choosing the Right Accommodation Based on Your Travel Interests
When looking for a holiday rental or holiday home in Burnett, it is worth first deciding on your preferred focus. With its trails, water activities, and cranes in autumn, Crex Meadows particularly appeals to nature enthusiasts. Those who want to focus their holiday more strongly on rivers can include the Namekagon River and sections of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway in their plans. For days centered on cultural history, Forts Folle Avoine Historical Park is a good option. Sacred Grove is a labyrinth east of Webster intended for quiet reflection. When choosing a location, consider which of these destinations should shape your daily plans, and choose your accommodation according to the balance you want between nature, activity, water, and history.
For further location options, you can also consider Siren and Grantsburg. Burnett is therefore suitable for travel plans that seek not just a single excursion destination but combine different landscapes, activities, and historical impressions.
For the overarching travel overview: Wisconsin.
More Destinations
More places within the same destination:
