Located in Northwest Portage County, the George W. Mead Wildlife Area is the 3rd largest in the state and features 30,000 acres of recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Hunters can hunt bear, deer, ducks, geese and small game. Bikers & hikers can enjoy a 6.5 mile trail May 15-September 1. Bird watching is always spectacular, 268 species of birds have been recorded here. The Wisconsin River and Lake DuBay along with several small lakes, offer miles of water for water-skiing, wake-boarding, tubing, jet skiing, sail boating and canoeing.

In addition to the timber industry, the area owes much of its development to the Old Wisconsin Central Railroad (Soo Line). The railroad transported cargo and passengers alike through Northern Wisconsin. A railroad romance story rivaling the historic building of the Union Pacific across the West, the railroad linked Central Wisconsin to the rest of the country. Today a historical marker has been erected at the west end of Main Street in downtown Stevens Point along the banks of the Wisconsin River commemorating its founder, George Stevens.