Deep in northern Wisconsin, Hayward is the unofficial capital of the Hayward Lakes region. Spring through fall, the area’s many, many lakes become havens for anglers, boaters, and kayakers; in winter, this spot is one of the country’s best for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. There are also plenty of totally unique things to do in between all that fresh air, like snapping a selfie with a 5-story-tall fish statue. Yeah, that should tell you everything you need to know about Hayward.
Oddly enough, Hayward is most notable as a winter destination—a rarity in the Upper Midwest. Folks gather here to blaze along the American Birkebeiner Trail (aka the Birkie Trail), home to the largest cross-country ski race in North America, and zoom along hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails (there’s great ice fishing, too). If that’s not your jam, try summer or fall, when the weather is pleasant, the lakes are splashing, and the campsites are fire-lit and starry.
Yeah, you’ll want a car. Hayward only has a few thousand residents, and northern Wisconsin—which is mostly water—isn’t exactly known for its public transit. Plus, odds are you’ll be bouncing from lake to lake, which will take you all across the region. However, if you can only rent one vehicle, you could make an argument for something with zero wheels: a boat.
While a Hayward visit will always present a surprising list of activities, if you can, try to visit during one of two events: the American Birkebiener (in February) or the Lumberjack World Championships (in July). The former is the largest ski race on the continent, and it’s a doozy just to watch; the latter is 21 events, for both men and women, that go far beyond chopping wood (think log rolling, axe throwing, and pole climbing).