Hayward offers so much to see and do. Like to hike? You can pick and choose from every level of activity from a casual and flat half-mile nature walk to a challenging and hilly thirty-mile trail. The neighboring Chequamegon National Forest offers 850,000 acres to explore and many miles of trails to hike, and the Flambeau River State Forest and several waterfalls are just a short drive from Hayward. If you like to explore trails at a faster pace, we have hundreds of miles of beautiful, well-maintained ATV and snowmobile trails.  Bring your own machines or rent them from one of several local dealers.  If it’s fishing you’re into, Sawyer County is the place! We have over 55,000 acres of glacial lakes, and we are “Home of the World Record Muskies.”  Use the services of one of our excellent local guides or grab a lake map from the bait shop or Information Center and find ‘em for yourself!  Love to golf?  We’re the “Golf Capital of Wisconsin”!  Find the right course for you at https://haywardareachamber.com/golf/.  Other popular activities include touring the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum (“The Big Fish”), shopping the huge weekly flea market, trying your luck at the Sevenwinds Casino, canoeing or tubing down the Namekagon River, enjoying a horseback ride, taking in a thrilling lumberjack show, treating the kids to a fun go-cart or mini-golf outing, or exploring Wilderness Walk Zoo with the family.

Hayward offers a rich variety of shops you will love. Visit our famous candy stores, homemade ice cream parlors, relaxing coffee shops, gift stores, and specialty shops that all have Northwoods appeal. Our dozens of great restaurants range from sandwiches and wraps to gourmet steaks and seafood, from the convenience of Main St. to the beauty of lakeside dining at one of our friendly resorts.

If you’re having trouble choosing an activity or finding a business or resource, make the Hayward Information Center your first stop.  We’re located at the corner of Hwy. 63 and Main St., in downtown Hayward.  We have maps and handouts to direct you to antique stores, playgrounds, picnic spots, pickleball courts, swimming venues, shore fishing locations, rustic roads, recreational gear sales and rentals, supper clubs, fish fries, and more. Our Center also houses individual business brochures, trail maps, information on golf, fishing, and much more. And of course, our Hayward Lakes Vacation Guides are always on hand for you.  If you need help choosing or finding lodging, the Information Center can help.  We’ll steer you toward a hotel, motel, resort, condo, vacation home, or campsite.  Call us at 715-634-4801, or browse our resources at www.haywardlakes.com.

Be sure to pick up a calendar of events for the Hayward Area, printed yearly. For a constantly-updated online calendar of events and performances, go to www.haywardlakes.com and click on “Events.” Once you see all we have to offer, we know you’ll want to mark your calendar with dates to return to Hayward. 

Don’t feel like you have to go-go-go when you’re in the Northwoods.  If all you want is a quiet place to enjoy nature, stop into the Hayward Information Center or the Great Divide District Ranger Station.  We’ll give you a map and steer you to a riverbank, meadow, rocky bluff, cedar swamp, or wooded grouse trail.

We welcome you to our Northwoods hometown; we know you’ll enjoy visiting throughout the year. Hayward — still unhurried, still uncrowded, still a vacation paradise.