Bayfield County: Lakes and Sandstone Cliffs

Bayfield County brings together large inland lakes and a distinctive shoreline along Lake Superior. Of its 966 inland lakes, 398 are publicly accessible. Along the shoreline, waves, ice, and wind have shaped sandstone cliffs over thousands of years. The landscape thus ranges from the county’s lakes to rock formations along Lake Superior.

Lakes, Gorges, and Shoreline

Houghton Falls protects a Precambrian sandstone gorge on the shore of Lake Superior and offers views of the Apostle Islands. There, a stream plunges more than 60 feet into a sandy bay on the lake. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore also has extensive sea caves in the sandstone of the Devils Island Formation.

The shoreline at Frog Bay Tribal National Park also offers a variety of scenery: the park has a sandy beach and a boardwalk. It encompasses 3/4 mile of Lake Superior shoreline and offers views of five of the Apostle Islands. The mainland sea caves in Bayfield County can be reached via Meyers Beach, east of Cornucopia. You can call 715-779-3397 before your visit to ask about current ice conditions.

Trails and Activities in Different Seasons

Bayfield County has more than 168 miles of trails for ATV and UTV rides. The trail network may change; follow the posted signs. Winter offerings at Mt. Valhalla Recreation Area include snowmobile trails, ski and snowshoe trails, a sledding hill, and a heated shelter. Facilities and conditions may change seasonally.

Mt. Ashwabay offers more than 40 kilometers of groomed cross-country ski trails, 13 downhill runs, and a vertical drop of 317 feet. Trail grooming and lift operations are seasonal. The grounds also include 29 miles of singletrack trails maintained in collaboration with CAMBA; trail conditions and access may change seasonally. In summer, activities include hiking, mountain biking, and community events, and the program may change.

Iron River National Fish Hatchery also maintains several miles of publicly accessible trails. They can be used for birdwatching, hiking, hunting, snowshoeing, and skiing. The trails connect a range of activities, so you don’t have to limit yourself to just one way of enjoying the outdoors.

Island Trails, History, and Navigation

The islands of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore have more than 50 miles of maintained hiking trails. They lead to lighthouses, abandoned quarries, former farm sites, historic logging camps, beaches, campgrounds, and scenic overlooks. The National Lakeshore is also home to the largest and most significant collection of lighthouses in the United States. Twenty-two sites in Bayfield County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places; the number of listings may change.

The Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway is a 70-mile stretch of State Highway 13 that crosses and circles the Bayfield Peninsula. Information kiosks in each community along the route provide maps, travel guides, and other information; what they offer may change. As you travel, both a designated driving route and hiking trails with historic and scenic destinations can help you find your way.

Fruit, Food, and the Apple Festival

More than 20 farms across Bayfield County offer local foods such as meat, poultry, fruit, and vegetables. Nearly a dozen orchards around Bayfield form what’s locally known as the “Fruit Loop,” along the Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway and County J. Participating businesses may change.

The Bayfield Apple Festival takes place annually over three days on the first weekend in October. During the festival, visitors can pick their own apples at one of Bayfield’s seven orchards or buy apples that have already been picked. Dates, program, and participating orchards may change.

Discover more destinations: Bayfield, Drummond, Lincoln County, Door County, Trempealeau County, Jackson County, Richland County, Calumet County.

For the main travel overview: Wisconsin.