With a population of just over 2,500, Spooner, Wisconsin has a lot to offer. Shop and gawk on the Tin Ceiling Tou of downtown, where 17 shops boast original tin ceilings dating back to the early 1900s. Anglers and nature buffs can make the short trip to the Governor Tommy G. Thompson State Fish Hatchery. The world's largest musky hatchery is located next to Spooner Memorial Park and on the shore of the Yellow River. Tour the hatchery, have a picnic, and fish in the river all in one day. Or, take in the largest rodeo on the Great Lakes Circuit at the Spooner Rodeo in mid-July. Those are just a few of the attractions Spooner has to offer.
The town is located in the northwest corner of Wisconsin. Spooner is known as the "Crossroads of the North" due to its location at the junction of two states and two U.S. highways. The town was founded as a railroad station in 1879 and still celebrates its rich railroad history. Remembered in rail history as the "Omaha X," Spooner was where two lines of the Omaha Railroad crossed. The town was named in honor of a distinguished railroad attorney, John Colt Spooner.
Today, Spooner is known chiefly as a recreation destination. The Wisconsin north country is home to hundreds of small lakes and dozens of rivers, and the surrounding forests offer miles of hiking, biking, and OHV trails to enjoy. Ice fishing, snowmobiling, or snowshoeing are favorite outdoor attractions in winter. The downtown area offers historic bars, restaurants, and shops. Whatever the season, Spooner has something for everyone.
Campgrounds Near Spooner, Wisconsin
Lakehead Boat Basin is located in Superior, Minnesota on what is known as Minnesota Point. The point is a narrow land strip separating Superior Bay from Lake Superior. The RV park is just ten blocks from downtown Superior, so it is easy to park your rig and enjoy the town on foot. The park has 12 RV sites with full hookups and 18 with only power and water. There is a convenience store and a dump site. Shower and laundry facilities are available.
Indian Point Campground is located in Duluth, Minnesota. Just a short walk from the St. Louis River, the facility is in a park-like setting within walking distance of both natural and cultural attractions. Canoe or fish in the St. Louis River. Bike or hike on nearby trails. Walk to the harbor to watch the big ships come and go. The park has sites to accommodate large rigs. Full hookup sites and rustic tent sites are available. Other amenities include showers, laundry, restrooms, a snack shop, and a dump station.
Check out the Fond du Lac Campground for a little more rustic adventure. The park offers riverside camping on the shore of the St. Louis River. Kayak on the river or fish from the park's pier. The conveniences of civilization are a short drive away in Duluth. The park has full hookup sites as well as rustic sites. Showers and restrooms are available. There is a game room and basketball court to enjoy.
State Parks Near Spooner, Wisconsin
Established in 1900, Interstate State Park is Wisconsin's oldest state park. The area's picturesque landscape has been carved out by the St. Croix River and ice-age glacier activity. Hike around Lake O' the Dalles or along the scenic Dalles of the St. Croix on one of the 15 trails that traverse the park. Trails are well marked and maintained, though the bluff trails require extra caution. Anglers can access the St. Croix River via a boat launch or shore fish in Lake O' the Dalles. There are two campgrounds in the park with vault toilets, shower facilities, potable water, dump sites, and trash facilities.
The Amnicon Falls State Park offers the opportunity to explore the Douglas Fault. The unique geological phenomenon is created by an ancient volcanic basalt deposit that abuts sedimentary rock once the floor of a lake or inland sea. As the Amnicon River flows across the region, it dances across the hard basalt, then cuts into the soft sedimentary rock. The result is scenic canyons and waterfalls. Hike the park trails to visit the two picturesque falls the park is known for. The park offers 36 rustic RV campsites. There are no hookups or water. There are picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets available. Full-service RV campgrounds are available nearby in Superior, Wisconsin, and Duluth, Minnesota.
See the largest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains at Pattison State Park near Superior. The 165-foot-tall Big Manitou Falls is the main attraction in the 1400-acre park. Hit the trail to explore the dense vegetation in the surrounding forest. Keep an eye out for some of the 200 species of birds and 54 mammal species that call the area home. The park campground has 59 campsites. Some have electric hookups. There are showers and flush toilets during the summer months. The park also offers tent campsites, fire rings, and picnic facilities.
National Sites Near Spooner, Wisconsin
The Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway contains over 250 miles of rivers and the surrounding wilderness. The protected riverway includes the Saint Croix and Namekagon Rivers along the Wisconsin-Minnesota border. Visitors can hike or bike along the numerous easy and moderately difficult trails that traverse the scenic landscape. Anglers can fish from the shore or by boat on both rivers and at several locations. Canoers and kayakers can take a leisurely float or shoot the rapids from several launches within the riverway. There are rustic tent campsites throughout the site and RV campsites in the nearby town of Shafer, Minnesota.
Experience the mighty Mississippi at the Mississippi National River & Recreation Area. Kayak, fish, or hike the river's shore in this 72-mile-long parkway. The recreation area is a collection of several regional, local, and state parks. Each jurisdiction offers different attractions. Visit the five visitor centers to learn about each section of the river. RVers can hike or bike a portion of the Mississippi River Trail or take a guided or self-guided kayak adventure from one of the many launch sites along the river.
The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore consists of a 12-mile stretch of Lake Superior Coastline and an archipelago of 21 islands. Pedestrians, cyclists, cars, and RVs up to 35 feet can take a ferry ride to select islands. For the more adventurous, canoe or kayak to any island in the chain. While on an island, hiking and scuba diving are popular attractions. Tent camping is available on 18 of the islands. Campsites are accessible only by water. Plentiful RV campgrounds are available on the mainland in and around Bayfield.
National Forests Near Spooner, Wisconsin
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is two forests combined into one. The Chequamegon portion of the forest is over 850,000 acres located in the north-central part of the state. The Nicolet side of the forest consists of over 600,000 acres in the northeast section of the state and abuts Upper Michigan. The forest is divided into seven districts, with camping at over 50 campgrounds and hiking on 800 miles of trails. Each district has RV-accessible campsites. All sites are rustic, with fire rings and picnic tables. Some areas have vault toilets, electricity, and potable water.
A visit to the Chippewa National Forest in northern Minnesota will prove that the state is a "land of a thousand lakes". In the summer, hiking, camping, swimming, and fishing are the order of the day. Cross Country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling are the main winter attractions. The park has three RV-friendly campgrounds. Campgrounds have electrical hookups, potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, and showers.
Located on the shores of Lake Superior in Minnesota, the Superior National Forest borders the Canadian border. The 695-square-mile forest boasts over 2000 miles of streams ready for fishing. The forest service offers tent camping and RV-ready campsites at over 30 campgrounds within the forest boundaries. Most are rustic sites with minimal services, though some offer electric hookups and water. Full-service RV campgrounds are available in the nearby towns of Virginia, Grand Rapids, and Duluth.
