Sawyer County: Water, Trails and Culture

Sawyer County brings together waterways, trails for a range of activities, and places with a rich regional history. When planning your trip, it’s worth first considering the experiences you want to shape your stay: the shores of Chippewa Flowage, biking and hiking trails, the Namekagon River, or the region’s museums and competitions.

Chippewa Flowage and Forests

Chippewa Flowage lies in central Sawyer County and has 233 miles of shoreline. Access is available via County Highway CC, County Highway B, and County Highway G and Dam Road. Since access information can change with road conditions, check conditions along your chosen route before setting out.

The forested areas also give a sense of the scale of the landscape. National Forest System lands within Sawyer County cover 123,805 acres. The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is the largest federally owned area.

Trails and Biking

The American Birkebeiner Trail System is over 100 kilometers long and attracts cross-country skiers, runners, cyclists, trekkers, and hikers. Nine trailheads between Hayward and Cable serve non-motorized visitors for year-round public use. For day-to-day access, the trails are reached from the Mt. Telemark Village Hub. From Hayward, take Highway 63, County Highway M, and Telemark Road.

Hatchery Creek Bike Park complements these trails with several clearly defined biking features: it includes a pump track, a climbing singletrack, a jump line, and a flow line. Those planning to bike during their trip can choose from different types of routes.

The Namekagon River

The Namekagon River flows for 100 miles through a largely forested, rural landscape in Wisconsin. Its course is marked by tight meanders and many small islands. Trout fishing is possible on the upper Namekagon River. Brook and rainbow trout are found in the colder waters north of Larson Road Landing.

Tubing is another option on the river, including the stretch between Trout Run Landing and Hayward. Fishing and tubing offer different ways to experience the Namekagon River; the sections mentioned help pinpoint where each activity takes place.

Museums and Competitions

The Sawyer County Historical Museum features exhibits on Ojibwe culture; logging and lumberjacks; settlement and pioneers; and the development of local communities. Other topics range from Victorian life, churches, and schools to hunting, fishing, politics, and resort traditions. The museum is housed in a former DNR ranger station: the building was constructed in 1928 and moved to its current location in 1991.

The Lumberjack World Championships feature competitions in sawing, chopping, speed climbing, log rolling, boom running, and axe throwing. The event takes place at the Historic Lumberjack Bowl on the shore of Lake Hayward. The events offer a concrete look at the different competition formats, while the venue’s name also reflects its connection to the lake.

The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame museum complex includes the Shrine to Anglers: a four-and-a-half-story structure shaped like a leaping muskie, with an observation deck inside its open mouth. Its unusual design makes the Shrine a distinctive landmark among the region’s attractions.

Places to Help Plan Your Trip

Several Sawyer County communities along the Tuscobia State Trail offer parking, services, and accommodations. These include Couderay, Radisson, Ojibwa, Winter, Loretta, and Draper.

Discover more destinations: Hayward, Marinette County, Racine County, Kenosha County, Marquette County, Polk, Wood County, Iron County.

For the statewide travel overview: Wisconsin.