In Hayward, you can choose from hiking and winter sports trails, activities on the Namekagon River, a public beach, and biking, running, golf and tennis options. Knowing the specific locations and operating times can help you plan your stay around your activities.
Forest Trails and Winter Sports
The Town of Hayward Recreational Forest has a trail network for hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Trail conditions and seasonal grooming can change; check both if you are planning a specific outing. A public parking lot on County Hill Road provides access to the forest. Before your visit, find out about current access conditions. The Recreational Forest also has a sledding hill; check its condition locally.
Fish Hatchery Park and Ski Trail has an illuminated 11.4-kilometer cross-country ski trail network and a 4-kilometer snowshoe trail network. The cross-country ski network is therefore the longer of the two. Picnic facilities and restrooms round out the park’s amenities.
The Birkebeiner Trail runs through the north-central part of the Town of Hayward. In warmer months, it is used for mountain biking, running and hiking; within the Town, it can be accessed from Fish Hatchery Park. Sawyer County Forest offers another set of options: More than 6,000 acres within the Town of Hayward are available for hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, ATV riding, snowmobiling and wildlife viewing. The options vary by activity and season.
Namekagon River and Round Lake
The Namekagon River flows through the west-central part of the Town of Hayward and is part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. In the Town, the Riverway offers residents and visitors opportunities for canoeing, camping, picnicking, fishing, hunting, tubing and boating. Tubing is also available on a section of the Namekagon River between Trout Run Landing and Hayward.
Round Lake Peninsula Beach, a public beach owned and maintained by the Town of Hayward, is on Round Lake. Picnic facilities and restrooms are available. Before your visit, check locally whether the facilities are currently usable.
Biking, Golf and Tennis
The Town of Hayward’s School Bike Trail is about 1,500 feet long and connects nearby to the City of Hayward’s Pedestrian/Bike Trail. Its manageable length sets it apart from the longer trail networks in the Town; the connection to the City trail is another option when planning a bike ride.
Hayward Golf and Tennis Club is on Wittwer Street, in both the Town of Hayward and the City of Hayward. The club has an 18-hole championship golf course and two tennis courts. This makes golf and tennis distinct options alongside the trails and river activities.
For the broader travel overview: Sawyer County.
