Nature lovers flock to Hayward in the Northwoods of Wisconsin to enjoy its beautiful scenery, small town charm, picturesque lakes, forests, and outdoor recreational activities.
Anyone who cares about the environment will also appreciate Hayward for its many eco-friendly practices and accommodations. It is the ideal location to enjoy sustainable travel by respecting the local ecosystems and communities in an adventurous, healthy, and productive manner.
Below are the top 10 ways to enjoy the Northwoods sustainably when traveling to Hayward:
1) Use Namekagon Transit to Get Around
Many travelers will drive their individual vehicles to get around Hayward because of the lengthy mileage between different destination spots. However, if you care about eco-friendly travel, you can opt to take the public transit option made available to everyone in the area.
Namekagon Transit is the primary public transportation provider in the Hayward area of the Northwoods. It is much more energy efficient than passenger cars because it is a bus that carries dozens of people and takes short trips throughout Hayward. By electing to use the Namekagon Transit to travel around Hayward, you will avoid driving a car that emits carbon into the atmosphere.
2) Paddle on the Quiet Lakes
Not all the lakes in Hayward are open to motorized boats and vessels. There is a particular group of lakes called the Quiet Lakes, which have heavy restrictions on using motorized watercraft due to the noise and disruption they make to the local ecosystem. These lakes include Teal Lake, Lost Land Lake, and Ghost Lake.
Eco-friendly travelers will appreciate the peace and serenity of the Quiet Lakes. You can paddle in a canoe or kayak on the lakes without hearing any annoying rustling sounds from motorized boats. It is also good for fishing since there is no noise to scare the fish away.
Image from quietlakes.com
3) Pick Up All Trash and Waste
Do you plan to go camping or picnicking in the forests of Hayward? If so, one of the best ways to stay eco-friendly is to pick up all the trash and waste materials that you create at your campsite. Some people carry a plastic bag to pack and store all their waste items. You should consider doing the same thing, too.
In addition, you could help clean the Northwoods even more by going around and picking up trash that other people may have left behind. It is a great, eco-friendly activity you could perform as you explore the woods and breathtaking locations yourself.
4) Robin’s Nest Café
How would you like to dine at a restaurant serving lunch and breakfast meals prepared from locally-sourced ingredients? That is what you will get at Robin’s Nest Café in Hayward. It is a deli and café that acquires its ingredients from local food suppliers to cook its lunch and breakfast meals.
Acquiring local food supplies is an eco-friendly practice because it reduces vehicle transportation and carbon emissions. The restaurant does not need to depend on out-of-state trucks delivering food to it, which is why it reduces emissions. By dining at this café, you could help support this eco-friendly practice.
5) Chippewa Flowage
Chippewa Flowage is an artificial lake consisting of nearly 15,000 acres east of Hayward in Sawyer County. It feeds off the water flow from nearby waterbodies, such as the West Fork Chippewa River and East Fork Chippewa River. There are roughly 200 undeveloped islands in the water and approximately 233 miles of undeveloped shoreline.
Many travelers take a boat out onto the water and then settle at one of the many primitive campsites available on these islands. Chippewa Flowage is also a Travel Green certified location, which means it demonstrates a commitment to environmentally friendly practices and water conservation.
6) Riverside Motel
Consider lodging at the Riverside Motel in Hayward if you drive an electric vehicle. It is one of the few motels in the area that offers an EV charging station. All guests of the motel are free to use the 240V outlets to charge their electric vehicles.
Riverside Motel is a family-operated motel that is clean, comfortable, and well-maintained. It is within walking distance of downtown Hayward, where you can find plenty of restaurants, shops, and attractions.
7) National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame
The National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame is a local attraction dedicated to celebrating freshwater fishing practices and achievements. In fact, it is the biggest freshwater fishing museum in the world.
One of the great things about the museum is that it promotes eco-friendly fishing practices such as catch-and-release and other ethical fishing methods. By visiting this museum, you can help support and raise awareness of such practices that help protect local habitats.
8) Hike or Bike the CAMBA Trails
The CAMBA (Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association) Trails are over 135 miles of singletrack hiking trails and gravel routes through the many forests of the area. The trails are designed with sustainability in mind. Through various partnerships with local organizations, the association has developed long-term solutions for maintaining and protecting the local trail environments. Take a hike or bicycle ride on the trails to help support this effort.
9) Attend Local Cultural Events
Some of the local cultural events held in the Hayward area help promote the environment and people’s deep connection to the land around them. One such event is the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe, a federally recognized band of the Ojibwe Native American tribe. You should think about attending the event to learn and show your support for the value of the area’s natural resources.
10) Shop at Local Farmers’ Markets
Local farmers’ markets, such as the Hayward Area Farmers Market, sell locally grown and produced vegetables, fruits, beef, honey, chicken, and homemade products. The farmers utilize safe, eco-friendly practices when creating these natural items to sell to consumers at the markets. By shopping at the farmers’ markets, you help support their efforts in eco-friendly farming.
Conclusion
Eco-friendly travel is an effective way to promote local sustainability efforts and organizations in the Hayward area of Northwoods. All kinds of local businesses and public entities, such as restaurants, museums, hotels, parks, trails, and markets, conduct eco-friendly operations to help protect the local environment. If you visit these places, you can help support their efforts to protect the environment, too. And if you’re planning a trip to Hayward, Wisconsin, here’s an 8-minute read on exactly what local activities to try during your stay.