Fun things to do when you escape
to Birchwood, Wisconsin
Birchwood, Bluegill Capital of Wisconsin, is your recreation
destination. Ideally located between Rice
Lake to the south, Hayward to the north and Spooner to the west,
Birchwood is the preferred area if
you
want to avoid the crowds and escape to the serenity of a quaint
village and its many surrounding area lakes. Whether you want to fish,
swim,
boat
or water-ski, the many lakes in the Birchwood area have
it all. Fish
for a variety of species including: Northern Pike, Walleye,
Bass, Bluegill and Crappie.
Rent a pontoon or
launch your own boat at
one of the many
fine boat launch sites. Some of the sites are located on remote
lakes that don’t have the fishing pressure as some of
the larger more popular lakes. Some of the lakes can only
be reached by packing
in
a canoe. The Tuscobia Trail was a railroad right-a-way
but when the railroad removed the tracks, it became very popular to
snowmobilers,
hikers, bikers and more recently, ATVers. The Tuscobia offers
hundreds of
miles of riding.
The Ice Age Trail is a non-motorized vehicle trail offering
varied degrees of challenge to hikers and bikers. Maps are
available in
Birchwood for
both the Tuscobia and adjoining trails by the snowmobile club
and the ATV club. Maps are also available for the Ice Age
Trail. Accommodations are numerous and range from Bed and Breakfasts,
campgrounds, motels and resorts. Reservations are required by
most. Fine dining
or simpler fare are available in numerous locations in the area.
A splendid
golf course is located just south of the village at Tagalong
Golf and Resort. The original 9 hole course, developed in 1923
by Frank
Stout,
was fashioned after the St. Andrew in Scotland. Tagalong was
improved to 18 holes several years ago and today has developed
into a beautiful
and challenging course you won’t want to miss when you come
to Birchwood. Many other golf courses are within a short
drive and you
could easily play a different course each day of your stay. But
Birchwood hasn’t always been a tourist haven. Northwestern
Wisconsin was first logged on a grand scale after 1868 by familiar
names as Knapp, Stout and Company. But today, while logging is
still ongoing,
it is a much smaller part of the local economy. When the land
was cleared in the old days, the farmers began moving in and settled
around the
area but not in such numbers as in other parts of the state. Large
stands of second and third growth woods are still prevalent which
are home
to a vast wildlife population. The Bald Eagle is frequently
seen fishing the many lakes. Occasionally, you will see one swoop down
and grab
the unsuspecting Walleye or Northern. It is quite the sight. Bird
watching is quite popular in the area and Hunt
Hill Audubon Sanctuary is
close-by and open to those who are interested in the wilderness
experience.
Many programs are available for the family and they
maintain a site
on the
Internet. Birchwood
has two museums in the village that are maintained by
the Birchwood Area Historical Society. The original sale of
land parcels
was in October, 1901 at the site of the current softball field.
George Huss conducted an auction that was attended by numerous
men from surrounding
states including Iowa, Minnesota and the Dakotas as well as
the southern part of the state. If history is an interest to you
there
is a lot of
fascinating discoveries at the museums.
Hunting in the fall is very popular. The deer herd
is very large in Northwestern Wisconsin and the DNR maintains
a season annually.
Popular
game birds include Mallard duck, Partridge, Roughed Grouse and
more.
Day trips to Hayward, Spooner, Bayfield
and the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior and so much more are available.
So plan to spend
your
next
vacation at Birchwood. You’ll be glad you did.
Northwestern
Wisconsin is famous for the fall color tour. Begin by reserving
accommodations in Birchwood and tour the many Rustic
Roads and enjoy
the color. |
