North Central Wisconsin

Understand

Most of North Central Wisconsin is part of the Northern Highland geographical region. The Northern Highland is covered in woodlands. The most common trees of the Northern Highland are the Sugar Maple, Aspen, Basswood, Hemlock, and Yellow Birch, as well as Red and White Pine. A large amount of the forestland in the region is included within the 1½ million-acre (6,150-km²) Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. State and county forests also cover a significant part of the region, and only a small portion of the land is devoted to agriculture. The wildlife of the Northern Highlands includes whitetail deer, timber wolves, elk, moose, and bear.

Despite the absence of large cities, tourism is an important part of the local economy.

Cities

• Green Lake — home to the deepest inland lake in the state
• Marshfield — has a municipal zoo with bison, cougar, lynx, and red-crowned cranes
• Medford — the Ice Age National Scenic Trail runs through the city
• Mercer — identifies itself as the "Loon Capital of the World"; it has the highest concentration of common loons in the world. In front of the Chamber of Commerce's information center, there is a 16-foot, 2,000-pound statue named "Claire de Loon". Mercer also hosts an annual "Loon Day" festival, which features an arts and crafts fair, live music and a loon calling contest.
• Rhinelander — its Pioneer Park Historical Complex explores the region's logging industry (including Eagle River).
• Eagle River
• Rudolph — best known as the site of the "Grotto Shrine"
• Shawano —a base for fishing on Shawano Lake and the Wolf River.
• Stevens Point — the Ice Age National Scenic Trail runs through the city.
• Wausau — home to the Rib Mountain State Park/Granite Peak Ski Area.
• Wisconsin Rapids — known for its papermaking history, and its cranberry industry.
• Antigo — known for its farming and lumber industries, as well as being the namesake of the state soil, Antigo Silt Loam. It is also home to the grave of Langlade County's first white settler, and a growing art scene. There is also a museum in a historic building, one of many. It's name comes from the Ojibwe phrase, "niibin-inaandagoog-ziibiing", meaning "summer balsam firs by the river". The river described, being named Spring Brook. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail passes nearby.
• Keshena — It's the largest town in the Menominee Nation, with many historical locations and artworks to explore. Throughout the town there is art to enjoy, a casino, and a college campus with a language learning trail to walk. There is also a cultural and historical museum on the Wolf River. Also along the Wolf River are the Keshena Falls, and the Spirit Rock historical marker. The Keshena Falls are home to very large boulders likely deposited during the ice age.
• Merrill — Cute large town along the Wisconsin River.

Get in

Interstate 39/Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway/US Route 51 runs north from Madison through the region.