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.
Facebook / Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce
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.
Facebook / Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce
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.
Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook Page
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.

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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.
Facebook / Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce
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.
Facebook / Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce
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.
Facebook / Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce
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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More to Explore

More about Wisconsin

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | March 15, 2023

What are some other small towns in Wisconsin?

  • Alma is a small river town that some people call the friendliest town in Wisconsin.
  • Mount Horeb is known as the troll capital of the world.
  • Osceola was settled in the 1840s and many of the buildings in the downtown area here from the 1880s are still standing.

Learn more about some of the other charming small towns in Wisconsin.

Where can we find hiking trails in Wisconsin?

  • Kohler Andrae State Park Cordwalk in Sheboygan has a trail that meanders along the sand dunes of the Lake Michigan shoreline.
  • The Bearskin Trail is a  21.5-mile long converted railroad trail that goes from Minocqua to Tomahawk.
  • The Lake Kegonsa State Park Prairie Trail in Stoughton  is perfect spot for wildlife viewing and there’s a beach.

Learn more about some other amazing hiking trails in Wisconsin.

Where can we go camping in Wisconsin?

  • Wyalusing State Park in Bagley has great campsites and high cliffs that offer awesome panoramic views.
  • New Wood County Park in Merrill features seven secluded campsites along the Wisconsin River.
  • Blackhawk Memorial Park in Argyle is a remote camping site alongside Bloody Lake.

Learn more about the many other places to go camping in Wisconsin.

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Hayward, WI 54843, USA