BAYFIELD COUNTY WISCONSIN
At the far northern edge of Wisconsin, a peninsula reaches into the largest freshwater lake in the world – Lake Superior. At the top of the peninsula where the mainland caves have been shaped over centuries by wind and waves, there is a group of islands which together comprise the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and Gaylord Nelson Wilderness Area. Heading down the peninsula you’ll find the home of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa along with the nation’s first tribal national park at Frog Bay. Our South Shore communities offer plenty of opportunities to stroll sand beaches and take in some local culture at area shops and museums. Lake Superior is ever present here. It is at once powerful and serene, humbling and inviting. The Big Lake can hold you in a comforting embrace or rage with almost cruel indifference, but regardless of its mood, the Lake is a constant companion, a factor in every day. With a climate tempered by proximity to the greatest of the Great Lakes and protected by rolling hills, Bayfield is famous for its agriculture,
especially fruit production – a rare thing in such northern latitudes. Apple orchards abound in the hills surrounding town. Local berry growers produce some of the largest crops of blueberries, raspberries and strawberries in the Midwest, earning Bayfield the title of “Berry Capital of Wisconsin.” You’ll find lots of value-added products such as cider, jellies, jams, preserves, pickles, honey, bakery and more at the farm stores and local shops. Several wineries and cideries are also transforming local fruits into libations. Treat yourself to a tasting and enjoy a tour while you’re at it. The local food doesn’t stop there – local fishermen bring in a daily catch of salmon, trout, burbot, whitefish and herring seasonally, providing the area with fresh fish from the clean waters of Lake Superior, one of the few remaining sustainable fisheries on the Great Lakes. There are 962 inland lakes in Bayfield County including the Pike Chain, the Eau Claire Chain, Lake Owen and Lake Namekagon. Each of our communities have formed around these bodies
of water and many have historical museums to tell the story of how people have adapted to the landscape over the years. The Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center has a historical archive for the northern counties and is a great place to learn about the natural, cultural, historical and geological history of the area including the Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway. The area is steeped in natural beauty. Hike to waterfalls, ski or snowmobile through thousands of acres of forests, explore miles of lakeshore or tour one of the national treasures in Bayfield County including the North Country National Scenic Trail, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. With mountain bike trails galore, this is becoming a hub for bike enthusiasts as well as an epicenter for world class events and an international destination for kayaking and sailing. Explore Wisconsin’s North Coast for yourself and reconnect with nature – and each other – in this amazing place.
REQUEST MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DESTINATIONS IN BAYFIELD COUNTY Want more information? Many of the communities in Bayfield County have guides to their specific areas. Request more information by contacting Bayfield County Tourism at (715) 373-6125 or go to TRAVELBAYFIELDCOUNTY.COM. You can also request publications from the Bayfield Chamber & Visitor Bureau at (715) 779-3335 or BAYFIELD.ORG; the Iron River Chamber of Commerce at (715) 372-8558 or VISITIRONRIVER.COM; or the Washburn chamber of Commerce at (715) 373-5017 or WASHBURNCHAMBER.COM.