Hayward: River, Forest and Trails

In Hayward, the river, forest and diverse trail network shape the options for an outdoor stay. The Namekagon River flows through the west-central part of the Town of Hayward and is part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. There are also trails for a variety of activities, from hiking and biking to winter outings. Families can consider whether they want their vacation to focus on getting active on land, spending time by the water, or a mix of both.

Forest trails for a variety of activities

The Sawyer County Forest covers more than 6,000 acres within the Town of Hayward. It is open for hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, ATV riding, snowmobiling and wildlife viewing. The options range from quiet nature watching to outings by bicycle or motorized vehicle. When planning, it helps to focus on the activity you want: a hike and a mountain bike ride are different ways to experience the forest landscape.

The Town of Hayward Recreational Forest also has a trail network for hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The forest also has a sledding hill. Families with multiple age groups or different interests can plan for these as different ways to enjoy active time outdoors.

The Birkebeiner Trail runs through the north-central part of the Town of Hayward. In the warmer months, it is used for mountain biking, running and hiking. Within the Town of Hayward, the trail can be accessed from Fish Hatchery Park. This provides another option for warm-weather activities in addition to the forest trails.

Winter trails with specific distances

The cross-country ski trail network at Fish Hatchery Park and Ski Trail is lit and 11.4 kilometers long. The snowshoe trail network there covers 4 kilometers. These distances can help you choose an outing to suit your interests: cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are described here as separate activities with different trail lengths. Additional snowshoeing and cross-country ski trails in the Town of Hayward Recreational Forest add to the range of winter activities; the forest also has a sledding hill.

The Town of Hayward Recreational Forest is accessed via a public parking lot on County Hill Road. Fish Hatchery Park and Ski Trail has picnic facilities and restrooms. These specific landmarks may be useful when planning a day that includes activities in the forest or on the winter trails.

River, beach and time on the water

The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway offers residents and visitors in the Town of Hayward opportunities for canoeing, camping, picnicking, fishing, hunting, tubing and boating. These activities show how many different ways there are to spend a day by or on the water. When traveling with children, you can consider the group’s interests when choosing between a canoe trip, a boat outing or time on the shore.

Round Lake Peninsula Beach is a public beach on Round Lake, owned and maintained by the Town of Hayward. It has picnic and restroom facilities. The Town of Hayward also owns and maintains three boat landings on Round Lake. In the broader travel region, tubing takes place on a section of the Namekagon River between Trout Run Landing and Hayward.

More ideas for active days

The Town of Hayward’s School Bike Trail is about 1,500 feet long and connects nearby to the City of Hayward’s Pedestrian/Bike Trail. For a different kind of sport, the Hayward Golf and Tennis Club is located on Wittwer Street in the Town of Hayward and the City of Hayward. It includes an 18-hole championship golf course and two tennis courts.

When choosing a vacation rental in Hayward, it is therefore worth deciding first what you want to focus on during your stay: forest trails and winter sports, experiences on the river and Round Lake, or biking, golf and tennis.

For the broader travel overview: Sawyer County.