Northwest Wisconsin Road Trip: Must-See Stops

Ready for a Northwest Wisconsin road trip? The Village of Turtle Lake and Barron County are full of must-see stops on your way through. No matter where you are coming from, the area is full of beautiful drives and so much to do! From recreational trails to great local businesses, Turtle Lake and Barron County make for perfect road trip stops, or final destinations! Here are six stops that you just can’t miss:

The Hotel Bar & Grill

Photo Credit: Discover Mediaworks

Originally built as a hotel in 1920, The Hotel Bar & Grill in downtown Turtle Lake, is a must-see stop. During the prohibition era, it was known as a hotel with 10 rooms and a formal dining restaurant. This local spot has transformed and now offers a unique, cozy experience that you don’t want to miss out on! 
If you’re in the mood for some history on Turtle Lake, head up the hill and stop in at the Turtle Lake Museum and learn more about the farming industry, soldiers and the wars they fought in, logging, and rail lines that helped shape the community of Turtle Lake.

Recreational Trails

Photo Credit: Discover Mediaworks

From beginners to experts, there are trails for everyone in Turtle Lake and Barron County. The Cattail Trail is right along an abandoned railroad bed and crosses through downtown Turtle Lake. While riding along the trail, you will find beautiful scenery through trees, hardwoods, and wetlands. No matter what you’re looking for… ATVs, horseback riding, walking, bicycling, and even snowmobiling during the winter…you can truly do it all on the Cattail Trail!
In Barron County, there’s the Northern Railroad Trail, which is open to snowmobiles, ATVS, bicycles, horses and dogsleds. Being able to choose your route based on experience is a key feature to the Northern Railroad Trail. Although the trail is accessed in Turtle Lake, it runs for about 13 miles into Cumberland, where you can access downtown Cumberland and venture off there!

Silver Creek Springs and the Creeky Wheel

Discover Wisconsin Co-Host Mariah Haberman in Turtle Lake // Photo Credit: Discover Mediaworks

Heading south of Turtle Lake, you can find the hidden gem Silver Creek Springs. A little bit off the beaten path, the bicycle shop and herbal apothecary make for a different kind of fun! The Creeky Wheel offers custom builds and repairs on bicycles and is the perfect shop to visit before heading out on the Silver Creek trails! Don’t forget to check out the handcrafted medicinal oils & balms and the natural skin care products grown and harvested on their farm. You’ll want to stock up before you head back home!

Comstock Creamery

Photo Credit: Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery (Comstock, WI) via Facebook

When on a Wisconsin road trip, you must make a stop at a cheese store…right? Comstock Creamery is a small-batch artisan cheese factory that produces over 28 varieties of cheese. If you’re up for some fun, head to the viewing windows out front and you can watch as the workers make the cheese! Don’t miss out on trying their most well known cheeses: Blaser’s Muenster Red, Wisconsin Brick, Hot Pepper Monterey Jack, and the Habanero Ghost Pepper Cheese! 

Canyon Road Inn Bed & Breakfast

Photo Credit: Canyon Road Inn Bed & Breakfast via Facebook

Make a stop for the night at Canyon Road Inn Bed & Breakfast and enjoy the beautiful Skinaway Lake. Nestled on over 2,000 feet of beautiful shoreline, Canyon Road is the perfect place for all activities. On a summer morning, grab a canoe and get ready to explore. In the winter, relax with ice fishing or spend a day snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. This cozy bed and breakfast feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere, but it’s actually only a half mile from town: a perfect one stop stay for any season! 

Timberland Hills

Discover Wisconsin Co-Host Eric Paulsen in Timberland Hills // Photo Credit: Discover Mediaworks

Come wintertime, just northwest of Cumberland, you can find the perfect spot for a beginner to an expert cross-country skier. Rolling terrain, pristine trails, the Clam River, and a spring pond make these trails some of the best in northwest Wisconsin! The history of this trail dates back to when the Birkebeiner started in 1973. 
For those who don’t know, the Birkie began as the dream of Tony Wise and has now grown to North America’s largest ski race and the third largest in the world! Then, there weren’t many cross-country skiing trails which led to a group of skiers from Cumberland creating and designing the Timberland Hills.  
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Those are just six stops you must make while road tripping through Northwest Wisconsin. What are your favorite spots? Comment below with your favorite locations to visit while traveling through Turtle Lake and Barron County! And before you make your next trip up north, make sure to check out our newest episode on Discover Wisconsin:

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Kortnee Hass: Digital Media Associate for Discover Mediaworks. A Wisconsin ‘now & forever’ transplant with a soft spot for squeaky cheese curds, craft breweries, and all things Wisconsin tourism.