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Superior Tourist Information Center (STIC)

A girl running through water embodies the joy of summer activities in Superior, Wisconsin.
Child holding hands with an adult splashing through water and smiling.

Gotta Be Superior

The Douglas County, Wisconsin seal features a tree, lake, and rocks with "Douglas County Wisconsin" in a blue ring. Positioned in the bottom left corner on a white background, it reflects the area’s natural beauty and summer activities in Superior Wisconsin.

Things To DO In Douglas County

Play in the wild, wander the quiet, and find peace in the Northwoods.

Douglas County Overview Things To Do Eat, Stay & Shop

Outdoor Recreation Highlights

Douglas County is your front-row seat to nature. Chase waterfalls, drift downstream, or hike under a canopy of trees. This is the place to slow down and breathe deep.

A man and woman stand on a rock admiring a waterfall, enjoying one of the best summer activities in Superior Wisconsin.
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Pattison State Park

Home of Big Manitou Falls (the tallest in Wisconsin) and Little Manitou Falls. Pack a picnic, take a hike, or stay overnight in the campground.

A covered wooden bridge spans a flowing river with a small waterfall in the background, surrounded by green trees and some yellow foliage—perfect scenery for enjoying summer activities in Superior, Wisconsin.

Amnicon Falls State Park

A maze of trails, waterfalls, and one iconic covered bridge. Great for photo ops and quick roadside escapes.

A person with fishing gear and a net attached to their backpack hikes through a sunlit forest trail, surrounded by green foliage and tall trees—one of the many summer activities in Superior Wisconsin.

Brule River State Forest

Known as the “River of Presidents,” this trout stream offers some of the best paddling and fishing in the Midwest.

Three people enjoy summer activities in Superior, Wisconsin, using cameras with long lenses on tripods outdoors under a clear sky. Sunlight shines through, partially silhouetting a person in the foreground adjusting a camera.

Douglas County Wildlife Area (Bird Sanctuary)

Explore 4,000+ acres of prairie, woodland, and wildlife habitat with trails for horseback riding, birdwatching, and walking. A favorite for peaceful exploration.

Explore the Trails: Foot, Tire, Paddle, or Snow

Douglas County’s trail system is vast, varied, and ready for action – no matter how you travel.

Hiking & Nature Walks

A wooden boardwalk curves through a lush green forest in Superior, Wisconsin, surrounded by tall trees and mossy undergrowth—a perfect spot for summer activities and quiet nature walks.

North Country Trail

One of the longest hiking trails in the U.S., with scenic segments passing through Solon Springs and the Brule River Forest.

A sunlit gravel path winds through a lush green forest, where tall trees and scattered sunlight create a serene setting—perfect for enjoying summer activities in Superior, Wisconsin.

Millennium Trail & Osaugie Trail

Accessible, family-friendly routes along forest and water.

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Pokegama Trail

Rugged, winding, and rewarding for experienced hikers and bikers alike.

Biking & Mountain Biking

Person biking down the Gandy Dancer Trail.

Gandy Dancer State Trail

Off-road biking for families and long-haulers alike (road bikes may not do great in certain spots)

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Wild Rivers Trail

Gravel-based, nature-rich route ideal for explorers on two wheels (best suited for mountain or gravel bikes)

Trail Etiquette & Safety

Many trails are multi-use, which means motorized vehicles, bikers, hikers, and skiers may all share the same trail. Following proper trail etiquette is imperative to staying safe.

Douglas County is known for it’s world-class waters – with its winding rivers, crystal-clear lakes, and wild flowages.

Two men in a canoe labeled "BEAVER DICK" enjoy summer activities in Superior, Wisconsin; one paddles while the other, wearing a hat, fishes. Trees and a docked boat are visible in the background on the calm water.

Brule River – “River of Presidents”

Paddle one of the Midwest’s most legendary waterways. The Upper Brule offers calm, scenic stretches for beginners and photographers. The Lower Brule brings swifter currents and technical paddling for experienced canoeists and kayakers. Canoe and kayak rentals are available locally.

St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail

Explore the dynamic urban-meets-wilderness landscape of the St. Louis River. The Water Trail features 11 mapped loops, perfect for birdwatching, photography, fishing, or just a casual paddle. Flatwater conditions make it great for all skill levels. View the St. Louis River Estuary Water Trail Map.

A wind turbine stands in the ocean at sunset, surrounded by calm water with soft pink, blue, and purple tones in the sky—reminiscent of summer activities in Superior Wisconsin along tranquil lakeshores.
Aerial shot of the St. Croix river with blue sky reflecting.

St. Croix Flowage

Quiet bays, open stretches, and abundant wildlife make the Flowage a top spot for canoeing and kayaking. Paddle near the Gordon Dam or venture into smaller tributaries for a more intimate wilderness experience.

Amnicon River

For a more rugged adventure, explore sections of the Amnicon River. The river winds through forested terrain and offers picturesque paddling in spring and early summer when water levels are higher.

A waterfall flows over rocky cliffs surrounded by green trees, with a covered wooden bridge spanning the stream above—a peaceful forest setting perfect for summer activities in Superior, Wisconsin.
Dad and son riding yellow kayaks down a river.

Lake Nebagamon & Other Lakes

Flatwater paddlers will love lakes like Lake Nebagamon, Upper St. Croix Lake, and Lower Eau Claire Lake for calm mornings, family paddling, and lakeside picnics.

A person wearing waders and a plaid shirt stands in a shallow river, fly fishing with a rod—one of the classic summer activities in Superior, Wisconsin. They are surrounded by trees and greenery, with a fishing net hanging on their back.

Brule River

Famous for its world-class trout fishing – it’s home to brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, and steelhead. Sections of the river cater to both fly fishers and spin anglers.

Fishermen on the upper St. Croix river.

St. Croix Flowage

A top destination for muskellunge (muskie), northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleyes, and panfish. The mix of structure and weedbeds makes it a favorite among serious anglers.

A small, tree-covered island sits in the middle of a calm river surrounded by green forest under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds—perfect for enjoying summer activities in Superior, Wisconsin.

Gordon Dam Area

The waters near Gordon Dam are productive for bass, northern pike, and panfish. It’s also a great launch point for exploring the flowage by boat or canoe.

A person with a backpack stands on a rocky mountain peak at sunrise, overlooking a vast valley covered in clouds—a breathtaking scene reminiscent of summer activities in Superior, Wisconsin, with distant mountains and a vibrant sky beyond.

Lake Nebagamon

This popular lake offers walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. Easy access and boat rentals make it ideal for visitors.

A hand holding a fish, capturing one of the classic summer activities in Superior, Wisconsin.

Lower Eau Claire Lake & Mooney Dam Area

Known for good populations of muskie, bass, walleye, and panfish—a favorite with local anglers.

Hand holding a Brooke Trout fresh caught out of a river.

Smaller Streams & Lakes

Smaller streams and hidden lakes across Douglas County offer quiet waters for brook trout, panfish, and bass.

Got a little adrenaline to burn? Douglas County has over 100 miles of ATV trails and 300+ miles of groomed snowmobile trails, open in spring, summer, fall – and especially winter.

Top Routes & Trails

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Tri-County Corridor

62-mile rail trail connecting Ashland and Superior.

Two people enjoy summer activities in Superior, Wisconsin, riding ATVs on a dirt trail amid green bushes and trees. The lead rider, wearing a helmet and sunglasses, is followed by another ATV kicking up dust on a sunny day.

Wild Rivers Trail

Scenic, forested, and multi-season.

Young man in helment riding a dirt bike kicking back dirt.

Straight Arrows OHM Trail

Designed for off-highway motorcycles, this 35+ mile trail runs along the Wisconsin border and connects to an additional five miles of riding in Wisconsin’s Douglas County Forest. It features curves, climbs, and fast straights.

Trail conditions are updated regularly.

Online Trail Reports

See the latest trail reports ➝

Douglas County

24/7 Trail Hotline

For up-to-date conditions: (715) 378-4528

A dog wearing sunglasses and a colorful Hawaiian shirt sits in a chair on the beach, enjoying the ocean, blue sky, and vibes reminiscent of summer activities in Superior Wisconsin.

Blueberry Swamp

A State Natural Area known for rare orchids and pristine wetlands.

A riverside dam with water flowing over the edge, bordered by lush green trees under a bright blue sky. A walkway with railings runs beside the dam where a few people are standing, enjoying summer activities in Superior Wisconsin.

St. Croix Flowage & Gordon Dam Park

Fish, hike, camp, or catch a sunset at this expansive waterway.

Aerial shot of the St. Croix river with blue sky reflecting.

St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

A federally protected gem for paddling, fishing, and wildlife viewing.

A four-member band dressed in black performs on an outdoor wooden stage as people watch from the audience—a perfect example of summer activities in Superior, Wisconsin. A sign on stage reads “Lucius Woods Performing Arts Center.” Warm sunlight fills the scene.

Music in the Park (Lucius Woods Amphitheater)

Summer concerts with a view of Upper St. Croix Lake.

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Birddog Field Trials

Fall events at the Wildlife Area draw national competitors.

A group of people in canoes paddles down a river, enjoying one of the popular summer activities in Superior, Wisconsin.

Guided Paddling Trips & Trail Tours

Available seasonally through local outfitters.

Looking for live music, local festivals, or something fun to do this weekend?

See Upcoming Events
A small, powerful waterfall cascades over dark rocks into a swirling pool, surrounded by green trees—an ideal spot for summer activities in Superior, Wisconsin, where forest adventures await in the daylight.

Spring

Waterfalls at peak flow, wildflower hikes, birdwatching

Learn More
Three fishing rods are set up on the back of a boat gliding across calm blue water, leaving a foamy wake—a perfect scene for summer activities in Superior Wisconsin, as a seagull soars overhead under the clear sky.

Summer

Camping, charter fishing on Lake Superior, paddling, local concerts

Learn More
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Fall

Peak foliage on trails, ATV rides, quiet getaways

Learn More
Two people ride snowmobiles on a snowy trail lined with tall pines under a pastel sunset sky, showcasing that winter offers just as much adventure as summer activities in Superior, Wisconsin, with mountains rising in the distance.

Winter

Snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, skijoring, fireside cabin stays

Learn More

Tools & Resources

Know before you go. Trail maps, permits, and campsite bookings are available online (we’ve linked to resources below). Please respect the land and follow posted guidelines for all trail use.

Helpful Links

Trail System maps
ATV/UTV map
Campground reservations
Local events
Rules/regulations for ATVs, permits

Find more ATV/UTV info at:

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Douglas County WI

Douglas County

24/7 Trail Hotline

For up-to-date conditions:
(715) 378-4528

Ready to dive deeper?

You don’t have to go far to feel far away. Whether it’s a spontaneous couple’s weekend, or a long-overdue getaway with friends or family, Douglas County makes it easy to unplug and explore.

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