Washburn County: Nature, Waterways and Special Excursions

Washburn County combines expansive natural landscapes with water-based activities, winter sports, railroad history and regional culture. If you are looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home, it is worth first considering what type of vacation you are planning: long days in the county forest, paddling trips between several lakes, cross-country skiing in winter, or excursions to museums, gardens and historic railway lines.

Forests, rivers and trails for active days

The Washburn County Forest encompasses 149,000 acres of publicly accessible land and shapes the character of the region. The county offers 116 miles of ATV trails, most of which run across County Forest land. In winter, another 240 miles of state-funded snowmobile trails are added.

There are also trails with different profiles for cross-country skiing. The Nordic Woods Ski Trail has 12.6 kilometers with several loops. In winter, one side is groomed and tracked for classic cross-country skiing, while the other is prepared for skating. The Totogatic Ski Trail offers 11.1 kilometers with several shortcuts and connecting trails. These trail characteristics provide guidance when choosing between classic cross-country skiing, skating and different trail profiles.

Water is another important part of the landscape. Almost 50 miles of the Namekagon River flow through Washburn County. The Namekagon River Fishery Area has an unpaved boat launch where anglers can access the river. The Sawmill Lake Primitive Canoe Route connects nine different lakes; most portages are less than 100 yards long. Fishing, paddling, hunting and wildlife observation are possible on the Totogatic Wild River. The Totogatic Wild River area covers 2,113 acres, most of which lie in northwestern Washburn County.

Excursions with wildlife viewing and water views

The Bear Trail at Hunt Hill Nature Center crosses the forest via two footbridges and offers views of four glacial lakes. Much of the western area is designated as State Natural Area #116. At Stone Lake Wetland Park, you can explore 17.4 acres of wetland, walking paths on an elevated ridge, a 600-foot-long boardwalk, a covered pedestrian bridge and a pavilion overlooking Stone Lake.

Those interested in waterways and their uses will find further points of interest at the Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum. The Canoe Shop operates year-round and has been used for courses in canoe building, restoration, paddle making, seat weaving, canoe canvas work and snowshoe construction. Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Day is held every year on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend in Spooner.

Culture, history and special travel experiences

Regional history can be experienced in several places. The Spooner Railroad Memories Museum is housed in the original 1902 Omaha depot. The Stone Lake Area Historical Society Museum complex includes the original Stone Lake Soo Line Depot, a restored red Soo Line caboose and the original 1926 Stone Lake Town Hall. The Washburn County Historical Museum presents the past 150 years of Washburn County history; its complex also includes St. John's Lutheran Church, built in 1888.

The Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad offers a special combination of landscape and rail travel. It operates along a 15-mile section of the more than 100-year-old Chicago-&-Northwestern line between Spooner and Springbrook. Excursions are offered with sightseeing programs, family pizza, elegant dinners and a moving bed-and-breakfast train. There are also scenic train rides along the Namekagon River, which is part of the St. Croix National Park System.

The Jack Link’s Aquatic and Activity Center offers further variety with three 25-yard swimming lanes, a sauna, a zero-depth entry and a leisure area with a children’s play structure. At the Spooner Agriculture Research Station Teaching and Display Garden, self-guided tours are available during daylight hours. The garden is an official All-America Selections winner garden; part of it is also recognized as an official Monarch Waystation. At the Shell Lake Arts Center, you can attend a community theater production or an evening of music, and summer camps and workshops are also offered there. Shell Lake can therefore be included in your travel plans as a cultural excursion in its own right.

Choose accommodation based on your travel interests

When looking for a holiday apartment in Washburn County, your personal priorities are a sensible starting point. For water activities, the Namekagon River, Totogatic Wild River and Sawmill Lake Primitive Canoe Route can shape your plans. Those who prefer historic sites and events can focus on Spooner, the museums, the railroad offerings or Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Day. For a trip shaped by the season, the cross-country ski trails and snowmobile routes provide useful guidance. In addition, nearly 40 restaurants in the county serve various fish dishes in the fish-fry style. The Cranberry Festival takes place every year on the first Saturday in October.

Additional destinations for orientation: Marathon, Burnett, Jackson County, Dane, Columbia, Eau Claire and St. Croix County.

For the overarching travel overview: Wisconsin.