Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

THINGS TO DO IN HAYWARD, NORTHWESTE­RN WISCONSIN

- CHELSEY LEWIS

Things to do: The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame is home more than 50,000 fishing artifacts, including 1,000 antique motors. It also has a 143foot-long fiberglass musky you can climb inside for a view of the town and Lake Hayward. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for kids 4-17. (715) 6344440, freshwater-fishing.org.

Watch modern-day Paul Bunyans chop, saw, climb and run on logs during Fred Scheer’s Lumberjack Show. Shows are held at 7:30 p.m. Monday; 2 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; and 8:30 p.m. Wednesday; June 19-Aug. 19, with select early- and late-season shows. Tickets are $13.95 for adults, $10.95 for seniors and $8.95 for kids 4 to 11. (715) 634-6923, scheerslum­berjacksho­w.com.

The Chequamego­n Area Mountain Bike Associatio­n trails are some of the best single-track mountain biking trails in the state. Go for a spin on the famed Birkebeine­r trail, dominated by skiers and the world’s largest cross-country ski race in the winter. Access it at the Mosquito Brook Trailhead on Mosquito Brook Road south of Phipps. There are no trail fees, but some parking areas in the Chequamego­n-Nicolet National Forest have a parking fee. cambatrail­s.org.

In Burnett County, Crex Meadows Wildlife Area covers 30,000 acres of wetlands, prairie and forest. Drive the recommende­d auto tour (it takes 1-1.5 hours) for a look at the area’s 280 species of birds including loons, sandhill cranes, trumpeter swans and herons. crexmeadow­s.org.

To the south in Polk County, stop at Wisconsin’s newest state park, Straight Lake. It’s still being developed, with backpackin­g campsites to come, but a quiet segment of the Ice Age Trail travels along two lakes in the park. Find parking at 120th St. and 270th Ave. northeast of Luck. dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/straightla­ke.

From Wisconsin’s newest state park, head southwest to its oldest, Interstate, for a view of the Dalles of the St. Croix, a dramatic gorge along the St. Croix River. dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/ interstate.

The St. Croix is part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, a 250-mile riverway that includes the Namekagon River, which passes through Hayward. Jack’s in Trego rents kayaks and canoes and provides shuttle service. (715) 635-3300, jackscanoe­rental.com.

The Ice Age Trail also passes through the area. Try the Hemlock Creek segment, a 1.5-mile outand-back hike (3 miles total) along Hemlock Creek in the Murphy Flowage in Rusk County. Find parking off County F south of Birchwood. iceagetrai­l.org.

Where to eat and drink: The Angry Minnow Brew Pub in Hayward has a selection of craft beers brewed onsite and a wide-ranging menu. (715) 934-3055, angryminno­w.com.

Lehman’s Supper Club has been serving steaks, seafood and pasta in Rice Lake since 1934. Sit in a booth in the cocktail lounge for the full supper-club effect. (715) 234-9911, lehmans supperclub.net.

Grab breakfast or lunch at The Birchwood Cafe in Birchwood. (715) 354-3000.

West’s Hayward Dairy is a Hayward staple for ice cream on a hot summer day. (715) 634-2244, westsdairy.com.

Where to stay: Stout’s Island Lodge in Birchwood is a step back in time, with lodging in historic cabins on a private island in Red Cedar Lake. (715) 354-3646, stoutsisla­ndlodge.com.

Spider Lake Lodge has seven guest rooms in a secluded, historic bed and breakfast on Spider Lake in Hayward. (715) 462-3793, spiderlake­lodge.com.

Upcoming events: Hayward’s Musky Festival celebrates the big, elusive fish June 2225.

See Ojibwe traditiona­l music, dancing and more culture at the LCO Honor the Earth Pow Wow in Hayward July 14-16.

The Lumberjack World Championsh­ips will be held in Hayward July 20-22.

 ?? / MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL ?? The Ice Age Trail crosses a creek in Straight Lake State Park, the state's newest park.
/ MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL The Ice Age Trail crosses a creek in Straight Lake State Park, the state's newest park.
 ?? CHELSEY LEWIS / MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL ?? The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward features a “Shrine to Anglers” housed in four-story-tall and half-city-block-long musky.
CHELSEY LEWIS / MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward features a “Shrine to Anglers” housed in four-story-tall and half-city-block-long musky.

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