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- Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest covers 268,700 acres of forests, streams, inland lakes, and wilderness areas in Bayfield County. With over 600 lakes dotting the landscape of the forest, many excellent opportunities exist to provide the angler with abundant and trophy sized fish! Many lakes can be accessed at either drive-in or walk-in boat launches. It's all here, and accessible, any time of the year.
For scenery, Moquah Barrens is a must! This is an 8,700-acre area that is being restored to an open pine barrens, and is an excellent place for bird watching. Auto tour guides are available.
In winter, the Mt. Valhalla Recreation Area (9 miles west of Washburn on County Highway C) is a popular winter sports area with snowmobile trails, ski and snowshoe trails, a sledding hill, and a warming cabin complete with a fireplace and plenty of seating. In the summer, Valhalla is a hub for ATV users.
People who are really looking to get away from it all can visit the Rainbow Lake Wilderness, where the 6,583 acres northwest of Drummond feature several clear-water lakes; the North Country National Scenic Trail also runs through the area. Mountain bikers will find an abundance of trails, including two clusters of trails maintained by the Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association (CAMBA).
Download a map to guide you on your fall color tour in Bayfield County, home of Wisconsin's national treasures:
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