Waupaca County: Lakes, Nature and History
Accommodation in Waupaca County
Waupaca County combines expansive waterscapes with wooded trails and surprisingly diverse regional history. The Waupaca Chain O’ Lakes consists of 22 interconnected lakes with crystal-clear spring water. Waupaca County also offers paddling opportunities on 240 lakes as well as 114 rivers and streams. This allows you to shape your stay according to your own interests: with peaceful hours on the water, active outings or discoveries in historic buildings.
Discover Lakes and Paddling Areas
A no-wake regulation applies on all but four of the Chain O’ Lakes, making paddling easier. Recommended access points to the main area of the Chain O’ Lakes are Taylor Lake Boat Landing and Grandview Road Canoe Access. When choosing accommodation in Waupaca County, you can therefore first consider whether the focus of your trip should be on water-based experiences. A vacation rental or vacation home is particularly well suited to travel plans in which the days are divided flexibly between outings and time spent independently.
Woodland Trails and Winter Activities
Hartman Creek State Park is located on the Chain O’ Lakes. A section of the Ice Age Trail runs through wooded, hilly terrain there; the long-distance trail also has an access point within Hartman Creek State Park. This combination appeals to visitors who want to explore a landscape on foot as well as enjoy the water. For a change of pace in winter, the Iola Winter Sports Club offers cross-country skiing. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore weigh a focus on paddling, hiking, history or seasonal activities.
History in Iola and Waupaca County
History can be experienced at several different locations in Iola. The Northern Depot was built in 1894, and the Townsend School opened for the 1897/98 school year. The Iola Historical Society’s 1901 Firehouse is an authentically constructed replica that was dedicated in 2007. In addition, the Heritage Historical Village / Railroad Museum showcases six historic buildings that were moved to the village for their preservation. The buildings are furnished with original or historically contemporary items; guided tours complement visits to the historic buildings.
The Hutchinson House in Waupaca also offers a glimpse into the past. The house was built in 1854 and is a well-preserved example of New England-style architecture. Tours of the Hutchinson House Museum take visitors through the Victorian home. The King Cottage explores the history of the Chain O’ Lakes and the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King. Those traveling with different age groups can thus combine active days in nature with cultural sightseeing without limiting the trip to just one type of experience.
Special Events and Further Orientation
The Iola Car Show is a three-day event held in July. It features 2,500 display vehicles, along with 4,000 swap-meet spaces. This event adds a distinct attraction alongside the county’s nature and history experiences. For further orientation, you can also visit the pages for Waupaca, Clintonville, Weyauwega, Scandinavia and Manawa. This allows you to tailor your search for a suitable vacation rental to the experiences that hold the greatest appeal for your trip.
For the higher-level travel overview: Wisconsin.
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