Info, Stories & Reviews From Those Who Love The Northwoods
These are just a few highlights of the many unique attractions in northern Wisconsin:
The Apostle Islands and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore: A group of twenty-one islands and 12 miles of mainland coastline at the northeastern tip of the Bayfield Peninsula, the northernmost mainland point in Wisconsin.
The Penokee - Gogebic Iron Range: 80 miles long and about a mile wide, this range of hills (formerly mountains) runs southwest from the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan to southeast Bayfield County, Wisconsin. It has a long and controversial mining history, dating back to 1848 when iron ore was first mined near Hurley, WI.
More than 62 northern Wisconsin waterfalls: Some may be described as large rapids (beautiful nonetheless), but others are quite magnificent such as Big Manitou, the tallest waterfall in the state.
2 National Forests: The Chequamegon National Forest -- about 858,400 in size, located in Ashland, Bayfield, Sawyer, Price, Taylor, and Vilas counties. And, the Nicolet National Forest -- covering nearly 661,400 acres in Florence, Forest, Langlade, Oconto, Oneida, and Vilas counties.
The Ice Age Trail: A thousand-mile footpath showcasing landscape features created more than 12,000 years ago after the glacier covering most of Wisconsin retreated.
The North Country Trail: At 4,600 miles stretched across seven states, it's the longest hiking path in the United States. The Wisconsin segment is the smallest distance of any of the seven states but is definitely one of the most scenic - but then again, we are biased!
Great Divide National Scenic Highway: Runs through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and reveals some of the most majestic plant and animal life in Wisconsin's Northwoods: black bear, timber wolves, white-tailed deer, beaver, loons and bald eagles. If you go in the fall, the fall foliage is absolutely spectacular.
The Chippewa Flowage (also known as the "Big Chip"): A 15,300-acre lake created in 1924 as a way to increase water flow for power generation. Big Chip is the third largest lake in Wisconsin with a wooded, undeveloped 233-mile shoreline. It is known for its "wild" and "uncrowded" atmosphere and of course, it's top notch fishing.
The Turtle-Flambeau Flowage: 18,900 acres of water, comprised of nine lakes, three rivers and several creeks, all pristine and pollution-free. Located in southern Iron County in far northern Wisconsin, the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage is known for its wild beauty and splendor.
The Eagle River Chain of Lakes and the adjoining Three Lakes Chain: The largest freshwater chain of lakes in the world. The lakes are considered Wisconsin's most productive muskie and walleye fisheries.
The Blue Hills Felsenmeer - Sea of Rocks: Made up of several small valleys on the southwest side of the Blue Hills near Bruce, Wisconsin, this "sea of rocks" was created from frost activity which broke up massive quartzite outcroppings to create a profusion of fractured rocks.
Timm's Hill: The highest point in the state of Wisconsin (elevation of 1,951.5 ft or 595 m) and is located in Price County. There's a tall lookout tower at the top offering spectacular views of Northern Wisconsin.
Crex Meadows: A rigorously managed ecosystem home to over 270 species of birds, 86 butterflies, and 720 species of plants, plus countless mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects; truly a bird watcher, naturalist and botanist's paradise.
The Lower St. Croix River: Designated under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, it extends 52 miles along the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin, from Taylor's Falls Dam to its eventual union with the Mississippi River
Read on for more information, stories and highlights of many of these attractions. If you have something you'd like to add, you can always submit your story.
Here is some interesting trivia about northern Wisconsin's waterfalls: Q: How many waterfalls are in Wisconsin? A: 62+ Q: Which is Wisconsin's highest waterfall? A: 165-foot high Big Manitou Falls in Pattison State Park in northwestern Wisconsin. Q: Are there other waterfalls similar in size to Big Manitou Falls? A: Big Manitou is definitely the highest. Here is a list of Wisconsin's ten highest and the counties in which they are located: Big Manitou Falls (Douglas County) … [Read more...]