Your Travel Guide to Hayward, Wisconsin in the Summer
Paddleboarding on Blueberry Lake. Click on my photos to pin on Pinterest!
Hayward, Wisconsin and the surrounding Sawyer County area is a classic Wisconsin travel destination. I’ve grown up spending many summers in this area, hanging out on the lakes, eating at the supper clubs, and exploring the north woods. In this blog, I’ll go over the best places to eat, where to stay, what to do, and my favorite lakes around Hayward, Wisconsin and the surrounding Sawyer County area. Shout out to all my family and friends who have shown me around the area throughout the years!
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Blueberry Lake on 35mm film
Where to Stay
I highly recommend renting out a cabin and staying on a lake while in the Hayward area! Staying in a cozy cabin, listening to the loons on the lake, and roasting marshmallows over the fire make for a perfect weekend. Check out these awesome cabin rentals around the beautiful lakes in the north woods of Wisconsin.
If you’re looking for a large cabin rental that’s close to downtown Hayward, I stayed at the Mallard Manor. Although this VRBO isn’t on a lake, it has a big yard, an awesome hot tub, and access to ATV trails! The home sleeps 12 and was perfect for a bachelorette party weekend in Hayward. We had so much fun hanging out in the hot tub and were close to bars and restaurants. I highly recommend it!
Hot tub at the Mallard Manor in Hayward, Wisconsin
Hayward, Wisconsin
Hayward, Wisconsin is the largest city in Sawyer County. Although it’s the largest in the area, it’s still pretty small. However, it’s ready for tourists and there’s plenty of fun things to do!
Tremblay's Sweet Shop bag of treats
Tremblay's Sweet Shop
I’ve been going to this candy shop for as long as I can remember. It’s the best! Tremblay’s Sweet Shop has delicious fudge, chocolates, salt water taffy, and all the candy you’d want. My go-tos as a child were rock candy and Tootsie Frooties. As an adult, I like their homemade sea salt caramel balls.
Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame
This museum is an icon of Hayward, Wisconsin. You have to take a photo with the giant musky! The Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame is a great stop for kids, families, or anyone who’s interested in fishing. You’re sure to see a lot of large fish here.
Big musky at Hayward’s Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame
Scheer's Lumberjack Show
Another family fun activity is Scheer's Lumberjack Show in Hayward. These lumberjacks perform chainsaw carving, log rolling, and many other classic lumberjack activites. You get to watch these athletes compete against each other while entertaining the audience. It’s a fun show to see!
Every summer, Hayward also hosts the Lumberjack World Championship. If you’re around while this is taking place, make sure to check it out.
Hole-In-The-Wall Books, Records, CDs
Whenever we are in Hayward, we like to stop at Hole-In-The-Wall to browse their record collection. I always love to explore small shops while traveling. Hole-In-The-Wall is quite a small shop, but I believe it’s worth checking out. A small town is a great place to discover a hidden treasure.
Where to Eat Around Hayward
There are plenty of great restaurants and bars around Hayward and Sawyer County. Whether you’re in downtown Hayward, or out on the lakes, here’s a list of places to check out.
Angler’s Bar and Grill & Angler’s Haven Resort
Angler’s is a delicious spot for food in both downtown Hayward and out on Lac Courte Oreilles. They have great pizza and serve Leinie’s! If you’re out on Lac Courte Oreilles, make a stop at Angler’s Haven Resort for a Bloody Mary or a beer. The staff are friendly and it’s a great Northern Wisconsin atmosphere.
The Ranch Supper Club
Supper Clubs are a Wisconsin staple. A great one to check out right in Hayward is The Ranch Supper Club. They serve all the classics, like fish fry and Wisconsin Old Fashioneds. We went to this supper club for my friend, Brittnee’s, bachelorette party. We had a wonderful time and they even served her an ice cream sundae, on the house, to celebrate.
Pine Ridge
My favorite supper club that I’ve been to has to be Pine Ridge in Stone Lake. The food here is seriously SO AMAZING. Friday night fish fry is the night to go. They serve their fish fry family style with flakey fish, golden fried chicken, baked potatoes, fries, and fry bread donuts! The food is hard to beat and the atmosphere is very enjoyable. They have outdoor seating, great cocktails, and since there are no reservations, people often tailgate while waiting. Pine Ridge is such a fun supper club and I highly recommend it.
Pine Ridge Supper Club
The Dock Bar & Grill
Another great bar & grill right in Hayward is The Dock Bar & Grill. The pizzas from here are very yummy. It’s located right on crystal clear Round Lake. Add this to your Hayward itinerary.
Robin’s Nest Cafe
A cute little roadside breakfast spot to check out is Robin’s Nest Cafe. They have great food and large portions. Make sure to arrive early, because this restaurant does not take reservations and can be popular on the weekends.
Stone Lake Pub
Ross enjoys going to Stone Lake Pub for a casual lunch spot. The atmosphere is laid back, the prices are fair, and the food always hits the spot.
Johhny B's
Johhny' B’s at the Blueberry Hill Resort is another classic Wisconsin bar & grill. They have delicious food and beautiful views of Blueberry Lake. They are especially known for their homemade pizzas. You can’t go wrong with this spot!
Red Schoolhouse Wines
Red Schoolhouse Wines is such a lovely little spot. Enjoy their patio, live music, and of course a glass of wine. Check out their events calendar to get in on some BINGO action and view the live music line-up.
Waves on Blueberry Lake
My Favorite Lakes
The lakes around Sawyer County are absolutely beautiful! Lac Courte Oreilles, Blueberry Lake, and the Chippewa Flowage are three of my favorites. Each of these are unique and you’re bound to have a great time on any one of them. If you’re looking to rent a boat, check out these boat rentals for the Sawyer County area.
Wismo Point Sandbar on Lac Courte Oreilles
Lac Courte Oreilles
Lac Courte Oreilles or LCO for short, is a fairly large lake in Sawyer County. The water is clear, full of freshwater fish, and great for pontooning and water sports. Our friends, owners of MJ Dock & Lift Services, live on LCO, so we get to enjoy going out on this lake quite often. My favorite thing to do while on Lac Courte Oreilles is hang out at Wismo Point Sandbar. Each weekend, you’ll find people out at the sandbar, playing games, music, and having a good time. It’s the best!
If you’re out on LCO and wanting to grab some food or a drink, make sure to stop at Angler’s Haven Resort and Trails End Resort. Both of these make a fun stop. Trails End Resort even provides boat rentals for fun on the water.
Paddleboarding on Blueberry Lake
Blueberry Lake
Blueberry Lake has always been a special place for my family, as my grandparents owned a cabin here. It’s so beautiful! Blueberry Lake is a smaller lake, so it’s more peaceful than LCO and the Chippewa Flowage, but you can definitely still have an adventure. It’s great for fishing, boating, and it also has a cute little sandbar. Johhny B’s is the go-to stop on this lake and you can rent cabins and stay at the campground at Blueberry Hill Resort.
There’s also some fun ATV trails around Blueberry Lake. Make sure to check them out if you’re in the area. Check out this side by side rental company that services Sawyer County.
Jet skiing on the Chippewa Flowage with my friends
Chippewa Flowage
The Chippewa Flowage is the largest lake in Sawyer County, so there’s a lot to explore here! It’s so big, you could get lost on it. The Chippewa Flowage is unique since it has so many channels and islands. It’s perfect for fishing. There’s also plenty of camping sites and cabin rentals, a little something for everyone. The Chippewa Flowage is another wonderful lake you’re sure to enjoy.
Overall Thoughts on Hayward, Wisconsin and Sawyer County
Overall, I love this area of Wisconsin so much! There is so much to explore around Hayward, Wisconsin and the Sawyer County area. Let me know if there’s anything I’ve missed that you’d recommend. I’d love to keep exploring this area! Northern Wisconsin has always had my heart.
Camera used to document my travels: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV 35mm lens, Olympus Om-1 35mm film, and iPhone
