Wisconsin Lake Superior Circle Tour Travel Planner
Superior to Bayfield, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Travel

Map Button

Superior, Wisconsin (see pix and more info) 
Chamber website: www.Superiorchamber.org

We usually stop in Superior for about a half hour to walk the dog and stretch our legs on a portion of the Osaugie Waterfront Trail. If not in a rush, we take a longer walk. Other times we have spent a day or more in the area, at either of the two nearby State Parks and driving around exploring the territory south of town along the St. Louis River. While it suffers from being the disadvantaged twin of Duluth (a city that it is easy to spend a couple of days exploring all it has to offer), there are some interesting things to see and do in Superior.

Recommended places and things to do:

  • The Osaugie Waterfront Trail and Harbor View park on Barkers Island
  • Beach and Dunes on Wisconsin Point, reachable via Moccasin Mike Road
  • Fairlawn Mansion & Museum
  • Nearby Pattison and Amnicon Falls State Parks – camping, hiking, picknicing, and waterfalls
  • Anchor Bar for the world’s best burgers and Gronks & the Shamrock for top-noitch pizzas.
  • Northwest Outlet, near the Bong Bridge, is a favorite stop to shop for good deals on hiking, camping gear, and clothing
  • Riverfront park on SW edge of city is a nice place for a picnic.
  • Superior’s hotel-motels offer convenient and economical access to Duluth’s attractions.

US 53 east/south, then east on Hwy 13 to the city of Bayfield, Wisconsin

Going east from Superior on US Hwy 53, there is a Wisconsin Tourist Center a few miles out that is a worthwhile stop for gathering information on your stay in Wisconsin. Shortly after that you encounter the exit for Highway 13 east. About a mile or two down the highway is a turn-off for Amnicon Falls if you are in the mood for a hike, a scenic picnic site or want a campsite (semi-modern with no RV facilities). Otherwise continue east on Hwy 13. The landscape is mixed woods and farm fields, away from the lake and not as interesting. The scenic highlight of this portion is when you suddenly descend down a wooded canyon formed by the famous Brule River – one of the most popular canoeing streams in northern Wisconsin. A few miles later you rejoin the lake there are a couple of pull-overs with nice beaches and lake views. (The point where you rejoin the lake is about 30 miles from Superior, WI)

The first town you encounter is Port Wing and then a few miles further down the road the village of Herbster. Each has a few artisan shops. Herbster’s township park offers both RV and tent camping. Several tent sites are right on the lake, only a few feet from the sand beach. Our favorite little community along the Wisconsin shore is Cornucopia, about 10 minutes down the road from Herbster.

Cornucopia, Wisconsin

“Cornie” is a cute little fishing village about 18 miles from Bayfield. It’s worth at least a half hour of your time to look around and we have spent more than two hours walking along the lake and to and from “downtown” Cornie. Very attractive harbor, with a few artisan shops on the river entering the lake. Nice town park, with a beautiful sand beach and an artesian well. We get our fresh Lake Superior Whitefish from Halverson’s fish market at the Marina. There appears to be a few drive-in informal camping spots at the marina, but the official campground is at Siskwit Lake a few miles south of town. We were told the sites are attractive but rustic. The Village Inn offers an attractive dining atmosphere and lodging, but we have yet to personally sample either. “Downtown” cornie offers a nice coffee shop, a historic general store, a fun bar/restaurant, and Wisconsin’s most northern post office. For travelers doing a day trip loop from Washburn, you pick up Cty C going south near the Village Inn and will be back in Washburn in about 35 minutes.

Meyers Beach & Little Sand Bay, Apostle Islands National Park

About 5 minutes east of Cornie is the turn-off to Meyers Beach of the Apostle Islands Park. If you are up for a fairly rugged hike, you can see the famous Bayfield Sea Caves. Otherwise just enjoy the beach.

Apostle Islands Park Sea Caves

About 10 miles further down the road is another potential side trip to the Little Sand Bay unit of the Apostle Islands Lakeshore Park. Take County K to the sign and turn for Little Sand Bay. It’s a quaint community, affords a nice view of the lake and an attractive picnic area. Also, there is the Town of Russell Campground (Wooded sites, suitable for tents or smaller RVs; electric hookups). Adjacent to the park is Little Sand Bay Apostle Islands Visitor Center that includes an Apostle Islands exhibit, a marina, swimming beach and a restored family commercial fishing facility (self-guided tour) Kayakers use this site and Meyers Beach as beginning and ending points for tours of the peninsula’s famous sea caves. Next stop – the jewel of the Bayfield Peninsula – the town of Bayfield.

Bayfield, Wisconsin
Chamber website: www.bayfield.org

The scenic seaside village of Bayfield, Wisconsin is about 10 miles north of Washburn. Artisan shops abound in and around town as well as lots of neat places for dining and beverages. Plan to spend at least a few hours in town walking around. You could easily alot a day or more here with Orchard tours, excursion boats around the Apostle Islands, taking the ferry to Historic Madeline Island, and other entertainments.

Recommended places and things to do:

  • Downtown and harbor area: restaurants, pubs, artisan shops
  • Old Rittenhouse Inn: classic setting, fine food
  • Touring Bayfield Orchards – Hauser’s Superior View Farm is one of our favorites
  • Dalrymple Park – Wooded RV and tent sites, electric, reasonable price, lake views, walking distance to downtown. The private KOA Apostle Island View campground is clean and well-maintained and is a good alternative for RV-ers or tent campers wanting to spend two days or more in the area.
  • Big Top Chautauqua – unique tent show theatre and musical entertainment. The carnegie hall of tent shows. http://www.bigtop.org/
  • Gateway to Madeline Island and Apostle Islands: auto ferries, excursion boats, island tour operators, bus tour on Madeline Island
  • Annual Apple Festival – 1st weekend in October.

Bayfield WI Area Campgrounds and RV Parks

Next Page – Washburn, Ashland and Hurley, WI

Previous Page – Duluth and Minnesota North Shore