3/8/2026
Did you know that the DNR participates in a wide variety of wildlife studies? Recently I was made aware of one that is taking place right here on the Spider Chain of Lakes in Sawyer County. Anyone who knows anything about Hayward knows that this area is a big fishing community. Shoot…we are home to the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame! You can take a look at some of the data here on the DNR Facebook page if you are interested in what they are doing.
As the thaw begins, I think a lot of us are dreaming about the fishing season. Ice fishing is winding down, but you don’t have to stop fishing! The DNR has a guide to fishing seasons that you can use to help determine what you can fish for at all times of the year. That said, we are about 2 months from the general inland fishing season opening on May 2nd! There are so many businesses and individuals in the Hayward community who will provide you with a wealth of information about fishing in the area. I’ll include some here, but this is not an exhaustive list, search Facebook and google fishing in Hayward to find more information! Take a look and start planning your fishing getaway in the northwoods!
3/1/2026
Spring is in the air, but the winter fun isn’t over yet!
Yesterday we had the Fat Bike Birkie and one of our very own guests won his age class! We absolutely love when our guests share their adventures with us. We look forward to seeing Greg again in the future for his next big race! If you are staying with us and doing something you're excited about, please stop in the office and share your stories, pictures, and successes.
From March 9–14, the Birkie organization will host the Cross Country Junior National Championship right here on our local trails. We look forward to welcoming elite young athletes from across the country to Hayward. If you’re traveling to town to support a competitor, be sure to visit our website to view our latest promotions!
In other news, as the landscape warms, local wildlife is emerging in full force. It is common to spot deer, turkeys, songbirds, and squirrels throughout Hayward. Please stay alert while driving, as deer have been active even in broad daylight. On a more "majestic" note, keep an eye out for convocations of eagles gathered along the roadsides—nature’s very own cleanup crew in action. I wonder when the bear will emerge?!?
The Birkie fever continues! While the skis are tucked away, the fat bikes are taking over Hayward this weekend for the Fat Bike Birkie on Saturday, Feb 28th. As North America’s premier on-snow bike event, it’s a weekend you don't want to miss. We’re ready to welcome you—and your gear! Give us a call today to learn how we can provide a secure, comfortable home base for you and your bike.
Heading to the Northwoods for the 2026 Cross Country Junior National Championships? As the best young skiers in the country descend on the Birkie trail this March 9–14, we still have a few rooms available for families looking for a cozy home base. While the races take place at the Mt. Telemark Village trailhead in Cable, staying in nearby Hayward (just 30 minutes away) gives you the best of both worlds: full access to local dining and amenities, with the convenience of a quick drive to the trails to cheer on your athlete!
2/15/2026
It’s Birkie Week!
Mother Nature has quite the sense of humor… we have had snow since Thanksgiving and suddenly this week we are crossing our fingers to keep what we have as the temps rise up into the 40’s for the next few days. Mainstream weather apps are saying we should expect little to no snow this week, but the Facebook page Midwest Weather is predicting that we are right on the border of 1-3” and 3-5”. Fingers crossed Midwest Weather is right!
The Birkie organization has great resources for those of you who would like to check out the schedule of events and get all of the details you need. AND, if you are curious how they make the downtown into a winter wonderland for the Birkie finish line, check out the Northern Nerd’s post from last year’s Birkie!
In other news, this past weekend we saw a few snowmobilers who were hoping to get in one more ride before the snow melts. We were happy to give them a clean comfortable place to stay and also happy to feel the sun and warmer weather on our skin! The warming weather has brought to life our area with deer, squirrels and birds. We are truly looking forward to the upcoming summer season. Last year was such a blur as we learned to run a business and met so many guests. We are grateful for those of you who stayed with us and hope we will see you again this summer!
2/8/2026
We are getting excited about the Birkebeiner! February 18-22 Hayward will be alive with guests to our community and our motel here to participate in the largest North American ski race (3rd largest in the world)! Our family is new to this and can’t wait to be part of the experience!
Check out the American Birkebeiner website for all they have to offer during that week.
For anyone who has not experienced this event, lodging in the area is probably full at this time. If you are considering coming next year, please make your reservations early. Here at the Northwoods Motel, we allow this year’s guests to have the first refusal on our rooms, but feel free to give us a call if you wish to be placed on a waitlist for 2027.
In other news, the Lumberjack World Championship is taking place July 16-18 and tickets are on sale now! While summer feels a long way off, it will be here before we know it. Lumberjack weekend is a busy one around town, so make your reservations early
**photo Credit https://www.birkie.com/
1/25/2026
Did you know that Hayward has more than just skiing and snowmobiling? If you enjoy hiking, winter doesn’t have to bring it to an end, the Hayward area has many snowshoeing trails available for the public to enjoy! Don’t own snowshoes, we have you covered there too. New Moon Ski Shop and the Cable Natural History Museum both have snowshoe rentals, check out their websites for more information.
In the Hayward area, there are three free trails available for snowshoeing and several more in surrounding communities.
- The town of Hayward Recreational Forest has a 4 mile snowshoeing trail that is groomed to keep it usable. You can find some pictures and information at their facebook page here.
- The Hatchery Creek Trail is located just outside of Hayward at the Hatchery Creek Trail head (county park). Hatchery Creek offers 3 miles of intermediate level trails.
- The third, Hospital trail, starts on Hospital Road. A 4 mile trail that is marked with color tape to help users stay on the snowshoe trail.
All the information you need about snowshoeing can be found at the Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau’s website.
1/18/2026
Snow, Snow, and More Snow!
For those of you visiting Hayward this past weekend—wow, what a surprise! While predictions were all over the map, we managed to eke out several inches of fresh powder. It was a fantastic outcome for our guests who wanted to hit the trails right from our front door.
If you’re a snowmobiler planning a getaway to Hayward, we highly recommend following the Sawyer County Snowmobile and ATV Alliance on Facebook. Their team works tirelessly to keep the trails groomed and ready for action. Their page offers:
Regular trail condition updates
Safety warnings and alerts
Behind-the-scenes highlights of the hardworking volunteers who keep the system running.
We cannot thank them enough for their service to our community! Please give them a "like" and a follow when you get a chance.
Hayward is a community that works together to provide the best guest experience possible. For more local tips, visit the Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau. Their website is an excellent resource for finding local businesses to support and checking live trail reports.
Pro Tip: Don't forget your trail pass! They are required by the DNR. While you can buy them locally, we recommend arriving prepared by ordering yours online today via Go Wild.
1/14/2026
Winter in Hayward
Nestled in the heart of Wisconsin's picturesque Northwoods, Hayward is more than just a charming small town—it's a vibrant hub of activity all year long! Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or just looking for a fun family getaway, Hayward has something special in store for you.
Winter in Hayward has already proven to be full of outdoor activities, but we have only just begun! This weekend, January 16-18, we have something for everyone! The Ski de She camp and race are being hosted by the American Birkebeiner Association. For those of you looking for a Fat Tire event, the 2026 CAMBA Seeley Big Fat Race is taking place this Saturday (January 17th). And, for those of you looking to put some miles on your snowmobile, there are the hundreds of miles of maintained trails that Hayward is known for, but this weekend in Winter, WI the Winter Sno-Xtravaganza is taking place!
January has many more upcoming events including NABA Family Ice Fishing event. You can find this and other local events at the Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau’s calendar of events (https://haywardlakes.com/events/calendar/)
As we approach February, the Birkie Week activities will be on everyone’s mind, but don’t forget about the Hayward Lions Pre-Birkie happening on February 7th. The main event, the 52nd American Birkebeiner, will be taking place from February 18th-22nd. All of Hayward will be buzzing with excitement and there will be a variety of family-friendly events ensuring a race for every age and skill level!
We all know that Hayward slows down in the spring, but don’t be fooled. The Park Center is hosting events all year long, including throughout March when you can attend a variety of musical performances and The International Fly Fishing Film Festival!
On top of all of the scheduled events, don’t forget that we have so many outdoor, unscheduled opportunities from snowmobiling and skiing to ice fishing and snowshoeing. Hayward has something for everyone!
If you are looking for a place to stay, check out our website or give us a call!
