Exploring the Natural Wonders of Northern Wisconsin: A Guide to the Region's Best Outdoor Adventures
Budget-Friendly Places to Stay in Northern Wisconsin
Looking for the perfect place to disconnect from work for a while and enjoy nature without spending much money? Northern Wisconsin has plenty of quaint getaways where you can experience the peace and quiet of the upper Midwest through starry skies around a campfire or drive right out onto a lake in February to try ice fishing. Here are some of the best budget-friendly places to stay in northern Wisconsin.Eagle Waters Resort
Located in the small town of Eagle River, Wisconsin, Eagle Waters Resort offers an excellent balance of amenities, such as suites with up to three bedrooms, a general store, and an outdoor swimming pool—if you need all that! If you'd prefer, they also have a dock for fishing as well as kayaks and small boats without a rental fee. Eagle Waters aims to capture “The Spirit of the Northwoods” as their lodging provides beautiful views of the lake, the woods, or the lakefront, which includes the beach. Get comfortable with your family and enjoy spacious rooms with a minimum of 1,400 square feet in the rustic yet well-upgraded cabins that feature wood-burning stoves or gas fireplaces and full kitchens so you can cook what you caught in the lake.Dillman's Bay Resort
When you think about a vacation in northern or central Wisconsin, you might picture a log cabin in the woods outside a small, quiet town, complete with fishing off the dock and outdoor cooking areas. Dillman's Bay Resort of Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin, offers all the traditional amenities and a unique twist of hosting art workshops for the budget-conscious. Instructors at Dillman's Bay teach engaging courses on multiple art mediums ranging from watercolor and acrylic painting to photography and wax sculpting.Dillman's Bay Resort has a variety of rooms and cabins that travelers from all walks of life will find light on the wallet. Hotel rooms start in the lower ranges, and entire family rentable and honeymoon cabins offer space or privacy, depending on what you'd like.
The Waters of Minocqua
The Waters of Minocqua gives families a more traditional hotel stay than the resorts mentioned above. With both an indoor and outdoor waterpark, this hotel is ideal if you are planning to vacation in northern Wisconsin during a chillier time of year or if bad weather happens to arrive while you are on your trip. And the best part? The resort remains close to the lake chain, so if you want to bring your boat or rent one from a local business, you are free to head out and enjoy the water without driving very far, making your travel plans a breeze.Coady's Point of View Resort
Budget doesn't have to mean going without. The Point of View Resort is just outside the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and sits on North Twin Lake, where you'll get beautiful Northwood views while enjoying time with your family. You'll find many renowned northern Wisconsin activities here, including ice fishing and snowmobiling.We might have to add a new word to your vocabulary for one of Coady's most popular activities, “glamping,” which is short for glamorous camping. Actual “glampsites” may vary, but in the case of the Point of View resort, you can rent out an upgraded vintage camper, complete with a comfortable memory foam mattress instead of a sleeping bag and tent, and have much of the hard work taken care of, like a permanent fire site. In other words, if hauling a tent around and sleeping among bugs sounds gross and cumbersome, but you still love the sound of hearing crickets chirp in the woods beside your campfire fueled by precut wood, glamping could be a great fit, and Coady's is the place to try it.
Northern Lure Resort and Campground
Northern Lure is relatively new to northern Wisconsin, having been bought by new owners in 2017, but it gets excellent reviews and offers great pricing on its stays. As the name suggests, Northern Lure's fishing experience is outstanding, and the ownership team regularly works with the Department of Natural Resources to improve the lake. You can also ice fish here and go hunting for turkeys, deer, and black bears.Many people who have stayed at Northern Lure also rave about the food from the resort restaurant, The Northern Lure Tavern. Don't miss their burgers and pizza after a day of hunting or fishing!
Rustic Campgrounds
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest offers many campgrounds that have been developed by the Department of Natural Resources. If you are looking for a place to stay while enjoying Northwoods life with or without a family, there are plenty of low-priced spots to pitch a tent or park a trailer.Most campgrounds around these lakes are inexpensive for a reason—they don't offer many accommodations and often have hand-pumped water and a bathroom. Still, many families will find these places quieter and less distracting so they can truly enjoy the great outdoors. We suggest you bring cooking gear, sleeping bags, and other essentials as there may not be stores nearby, which could help you save money while traveling!
Hayward Kampground of America
First, yes, we spelled Kampground right here. Kampground of America, also known as KoA, is a national chain of campgrounds that offer inexpensive camping and fun for kids and adults alike. You'll have ready access to a heated swimming pool, waterslide, snacks, firewood, and a plethora of other activities for the young ones, like mini golf.KoA isn't quite the remote camping and fishing experience other resorts on our list provide. Instead, this campground offers an outstanding and wallet-friendly balance between keeping the kids happy, not having to do too much camping work yourself, and getting your children used to the idea of sleeping outside without being too far away from the city.