Blend work and adventure in Hayward, Wisconsin’s Northwoods.
Hayward is a charming small town in the heart of the outdoor recreational landscape of Northwoods, Wisconsin. It is one of the few locations in the United States where you can work remotely and then go on exciting adventures in your free time. Imagine working on the computer while you leisurely travel at your own pace. The possibilities are endless.
A true workation is more than squeezing in some fun time after you work hard. It is about moving to different areas where you can enjoy the adventures you want, when you want to. All you need are some helpful tips on how to get started.
Below are five ways you can blend remote work and adventure in Hayward.
1) Find a Designated Location with Wi-Fi
The first thing you will want to do is figure out the Wi-Fi situation during your time in Hayward. After all, if you are going to work remotely, you need to access the internet from your location. Wi-Fi is a wireless networking technology that allows you to access high-speed internet from your computer or smartphone through a public or private service.
There are a few ways to approach this. First, you can subscribe to a mobile Wi-Fi service, such as the satellite internet provider Starlink, or through your mobile phone carrier, such as T-Mobile or Verizon. Just check with your carrier to see if they have any in Hayward. Alternatively, if you don’t have a private Wi-Fi service, you can visit a local public facility in Hayward and use their free Wi-Fi.
One good example is the Sherman & Ruth Weiss Community Library, which offers public computers and unlimited free Wi-Fi to all guests, including remote workers.
Image from Sherman & Ruth Weiss Community Library
Another free public Wi-Fi location in Hayward is Backroads Coffee.
If you want more eco-conscious options while exploring the area, check out our post on Eco-Friendly Travel in Hayward: 10 Ways to Enjoy the Northwoods Sustainably.
2) Choose a Motel Close to Activities
Try to find a motel in Hayward that is close to local area attractions and activities. The Riverside Motel is a great example, which is conveniently located within minutes of the city limits. It is close to the most thrilling area attractions, including World-Class Fishing & Hunting, the Lumberjack World Championships, the American Birkebeiner Cross Country Ski Race, numerous hiking trails, and more.
Therefore, if you prefer working on your computer in your motel room, you can easily leave for the afternoon or evening to participate in one or more of these fun and exciting activities. You’ll be able to go, attend the events, and then come back without wasting much time.
If you need ideas on how to spend your downtime, we’ve listed some great ones in our guide to Local Activities You Have to Try in Hayward, Wisconsin.
3) Establish a Designated Adventure on the River
The Namekagon River is a 101-mile-long tributary of the Saint Croix River and the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway in northwestern Wisconsin. Feel free to take a paddleboat, kayak, or private charter out on this clean and beautiful river while surrounded by miles of picturesque green forestry.
It will not take you long to make the trip between your remote work schedule. For instance, you could wake up in the morning and drive about 40 minutes from the Riverside Motel to the Namekagon River. From there, you could go out for a 1- to 2-hour kayaking adventure on the river. The Riverside Motel also offers a convenient kayak and canoe shuttle service, so guests can be easily transported to and picked up from launch points — often free during promotions or available at a very low cost.
When you finish, you can head back into town to grab some coffee and breakfast at Backroads Coffee or Selah Mobile Coffee. Sure, it is a small commute to go back and forth from the river, but it is a relatively short trip when you consider the adventure you will have on the river. Most people outside of Hayward would have to drive for several hours and hundreds of miles to reach a location like the Namekagon River.
4) Go Biking with Your Smartphone on the CAMBA Trails
The Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association (CAMBA) network comprises approximately 28 mountain biking trails totaling over 300 miles. There is even a single track that consistently stretches to about 130 miles.
If you can do work on your smartphone, you may be able to fit in some quality adventure time on the CAMBA trails in between your job tasks. However, you probably will not find any Wi-Fi hotspots anywhere along the trail. To access the internet successfully, you will either need to rely on your mobile 5G data or a satellite internet provider like Starlink.
You could schedule your work and mountain biking time in intervals. Try riding for about 60 to 90 minutes at a time. Then stop to make calls and do whatever work you need to do on your smartphone for 30 to 60 minutes. The CAMBA trails have several rest stops and service points where you can comfortably stop and use your phone.
5) Take Your Laptop to the Hayward Lakes Area
The Hayward Lakes Area encompasses more than 56,000 acres of glacial lakes and rivers in Sawyer County, Northern Wisconsin. It has many distinct lakes, water bodies, and shorelines, offering visitors the chance to engage in a variety of activities, such as swimming, fishing, kayaking, and more.
For remote workers, you can easily park your car in any of the public lots located near the lakes in this area. They will give you plenty of great views outside your windshield as you work on the notebook computer or smartphone. Some of the most gorgeous lakes in this area include Lake Hayward, Round Lake, and Lake Namekagon. When you finish working on your computer, grab your sandals and sunscreen and rush on over to the nearest lake to enjoy some fun water activities.
If you’d like a quiet stay near these spots, you can book a riverside room with a lake view or direct access to local trails.
Conclusion
In the age of remote work and digital nomadism, workations in the Northwoods are becoming more popular. People are discovering the beauty and adventure of the Northwoods for the first time and realizing it is a place where they want to stay indefinitely.
If you can establish a steady mobile internet connection and a consistent online income stream, you can practically work anywhere in Hayward, where the best adventures and activities are located. All it takes is scheduling and planning to make it happen.