Douglas County: Lake Superior, Waterfalls, and Wide-Open Nature

Douglas County combines the shoreline landscape of Lake Superior with waterfalls, rivers, expansive natural areas, and a surprisingly diverse range of experiences. When planning your trip, it is worth first deciding what mix you want: Should the landscape be the main focus, are you looking for varied trails for active days, or would you like to combine nature with museums and regional history? The answer will help you specifically choose a suitable vacation rental or vacation home within the county.

Lake Superior and Distinctive Landscapes

Douglas County’s mainland shoreline along Lake Superior is approximately 103 miles long. Wisconsin Point is a distinctive landscape feature: the area covers 229 acres and has nearly three miles of shoreline. Together with Minnesota Point, Wisconsin Point forms one of the largest freshwater sandbars in the world. Those who primarily want to experience wide-open spaces and an unusual coastal formation by the water will find a characteristic focal point for trip planning here.

Other natural destinations complement this landscape. Amnicon Falls State Park encompasses a series of waterfalls and rapids along the Amnicon River. The park has also long been known as a place where a significant geological event and the associated rock formations can be observed and studied. In the Douglas County Wildlife Area, also called Bird Sanctuary, more than 4,000 acres of shrub prairie habitat are managed. These different landscapes make Douglas County appealing for trips that combine shorelines, rivers, and open nature.

Trails, Water, and Winter Activities

For active days, you have access to approximately 300 miles of several shared-use recreational trails. Pattison State Park adds more than seven miles of hiking trails to this offering. One shorter trail option there is 0.5 miles long and leads to short paths with several views of Big Manitou Falls from both sides of the river. This allows you to choose between a longer selection of trails and a more compact viewpoint experience when planning your day, without losing sight of the other natural destinations.

The Douglas County Wildlife Management Area also has approximately 14 miles of designated equestrian trails. For excursions on the water, Lyman Lake Boat Landing offers a concrete boat ramp and a dock outside the entrance gate to Anna-Gene County Park. There is also a canoe launch on the nearby Amnicon River. Easy canoe trips are possible on the upper Bois Brule River; more challenging sections include Little Joe Rapids, a moderate Class II rapid above the Bois Brule canoe launch. In winter, the Douglas County Cross-Country Ski Trail System adds to the selection. It includes more than 10 miles, or 17 kilometers, of trails between the towns of Solon Springs and Gordon, east of Highway 53.

Museums, History, and Events

If you would like to combine days in nature with culture, the Fairlawn Museum offers a special contrast. The Victorian house museum has 42 rooms and was built by Martin Pattison in 1889. The Gordon-Wascott Historical Society Whalen House Museum in Gordon is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day. You can take the seasonal opening hours into account when planning your trip.

The SS Meteor offers further insights into regional history and can be toured from the pilothouse to the cargo holds. Music in the Park also takes place in the amphitheater at Gordon Dam County Park, an annual outdoor concert series on the shore of Lake St. Croix. Depending on your interests, you can round out your stay with historic sites, a ship experience, or an outdoor event.

Choosing the Right Base for Your Trip

When searching for a vacation rental in Douglas County, you can therefore follow the pace you want for your trip. For a trip with many days spent walking and hiking, the recreational trails and state parks take center stage. If waterscapes are to define your vacation, Lake Superior, the waterfalls, and the described river activities offer different options. Those who enjoy alternating between nature and culture can include museums, the SS Meteor, and the concert series in their plans. For your further location search, you can also view Superior.

Additional destinations for orientation: Racine County, Washington, Clark County, Marathon, Washburn County, Iron County, Wood County.

For the broader travel overview: Wisconsin.