Hayward
Around Hayward
Photo: Milonica · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Countryside and towns · Wisconsin · 53k people
Hayward
Locals say Northwoods · “Musky Capital of the World”
Lakes, pines, and a slower pace.
Pine greenLake blue
Welcome to the Northwoods! Whether you're here for the fishing, the trails, or just to soak in the quiet, you'll find a friendly community that loves the outdoors. Grab a fish fry and a cold one, and join the conversation.
Clubs for Hayward
No clubs for Hayward yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Hayward. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Hayward. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame Giant muskie sculpture and fishing history
- American Birkebeiner Trail Home of the American Birkebeiner cross-country ski race
- Crex Meadows Wildlife Area Prairie and wetlands, great for birdwatching
- St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Canoeing and fishing on the wild and scenic river
- Shell Lake Clear lake with public beach and arts center
- Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad Scenic train rides on vintage cars
- Outdoors Fishing for muskie on Hayward lakes
- Outdoors Canoeing the Namekagon River
- With kids Visiting the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame
- With kids Riding the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad
- Evenings Live music at local supper clubs
- Evenings Karaoke nights at taverns
- Locals love Supper clubs
- Locals love Bait shops
Through the year
- American Birkebeiner February Cross-country ski race
- Lumberjack World Championships July Lumberjack sports competition
- Spooner Rodeo July Rodeo with bull riding and barrel racing
- Hayward Musky Festival June Fishing festival celebrating muskie
- Sawyer County Fair August County fair with livestock and rides
The Northwoods has a classic continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. The best time to be out is from May through September for water activities, and January through March for winter sports. Best: Late spring through early fall for outdoor activities; winter for snow sports.
Talk like a local
- “Muskie”
- A fish, specifically the muskellunge, a prized catch
- “Birkie”
- The American Birkebeiner, the big cross-country ski race
- “Friday fish fry”
- A classic Wisconsin supper club experience
- “Up north”
- A cabin or camp on a lake
Getaways
- Rice Lake Nearby lake town with shopping and dining
- Duluth Lake Superior port city with canal park and aquarium
- Eau Claire River city with music and arts scene
- Twin Cities Big-city attractions, museums, and sports
Local flavour
Rooting for Green Bay Packers (NFL), Milwaukee Brewers (MLB), Milwaukee Bucks (NBA), Wisconsin Badgers (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Friday fish fry (walleye) A supper-club tradition
- Cheese curds Fresh, squeaky curds from local dairies
- Bratwurst Grilled with beer and onions
- Wild rice soup Using hand-harvested manoomin from area lakes
- Cranberries Wisconsin is a top producer; local bogs are common
Where people go
- Supper clubs Old-school dining with relish trays, fish fry, and brandy old-fashioneds
- Bait shops Where locals get minnows, tackle, and advice
- Ice fishing shanties Tiny heated shelters on frozen lakes in winter
- Lake resorts and cabins Family-run places with wooden docks and canoes
- Cross-country ski trails Groomed trails through the forest, like the Birkebeiner trail
Make this page better
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Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Nearby
Every areaRice LakeWisconsinWhere every lake has a story.Polk CountyWisconsinWhere the northwoods meet the river.MenomonieWisconsinLakeside charm, midwestern heart.DuluthMinnesotaWhere the North Shore meets the Iron Range.Pine CityMinnesotaWhere the pines meet the lakes.Eau ClaireWisconsinWhere the rivers hum and the hops flow.Twin CitiesMinnesotaWhere the lakes never end and the welcome never stops.Red WingMinnesotaRiver town pride, bluff country soul.
Sawyer, Burnett and Washburn counties, WI. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.