When you’re vacationing in someplace wild and beautiful, dangerous thoughts might start creeping into your head: what if I stayed? In far Northern Wisconsin, there’s a place that causes minds to dream. Hayward is a destination where wild forests deliver endless opportunities for outdoor recreation and quiet relaxation – it's a place where you can truly get away from it all, but still enjoy a few creature comforts - like if you’re craving a latte with a side of Wifi back in town! Can you live off grid in Wisconsin? Follow along and find out!
Hayward is a very attractive small town partly because it is surrounded by vast forests. And it’s not very close to any big city.
It’s about 2.5 hours from Minneapolis and more than five hours from Milwaukee.
But you can still find everything you could want or need in Hayward.
The community is the county seat of Sawyer County, and emergency services are a phone call away. The town also has plenty of shops, stores, and restaurants.
Everywhere you look you'll find scenic some of the most jaw-dropping beauty.
If you’re ready to try off grid living in Wisconsin, there are lots of businesses in town that can help you with whatever you need.
Hayward was originally found as a logging town by the area's early settlers, and today it is still surrounded by the 858,400-acre Chequamegon National Forest.
If you would like to catch some of your own food, there are also plenty of scenic lakes that are filled with fish. Hayward’s lakes are so well known that the town is home to the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame.
There are big events held in Hayward too, so if you feel like rejoining a crowd, you’ll be able to find one.
The biggest events include the Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival, the Lumberjack World Championships, and the American Birkebeiner cross-country skiing race, which is the largest cross-country ski marathon in North America.
But no one would blame you if you just stay in the forest and enjoy the quiet beauty of Hayward.
It’s considered one of the prettiest areas in Wisconsin!
This delightful town has a little something for everyone. Even if you don’t decide to call Hayward home, it’s still worth a visit. Where else can you step inside the mouth of a giant fish?
Have you ever been to Hayward? If so, what did you think? Which part was your favorite? We'd love to read about your experience in the comments section below!
If you’re still in the mood for more Wisconsin adventures, take a look at this video to learn how cheese is made!:
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