The Guide’s Guide to the Northwoods
An insider scoop on Wildman guides’ favorite local spots!
While fantastic whitewater rafting opportunities are a great reason to visit northern Wisconsin, there’s so much more in the area to be discovered! Read about some of our guides’ favorite hidden gems near Wildman Adventure Resort!
Dan
When I go to a new area, I have to know the best place to eat and the best place to get a heaping cone of ice cream. One of the reasons I love the Iron Mountain area so much is that you can get both within just a few minutes of each other!
When it’s time to go out for a bite, it’s a no-brainer for me: Oddfellows. Oddfellows is an industrial-chic gastropub serving new American fare and craft cocktails, with an extensive wine and craft beer list. In layman’s terms, a dirtbag’s getaway from campfire meals and cheap beer! I love sharing meals with friends and family, and this is the perfect space for that. I highly recommend trying several things on the menu. I sample something new every time I go!
Once you’ve filled your belly, it’s time to wash it down with ice cream! The Ice Cream Barn in Iron Mountain is home to sweet treats, a mechanical bull, and two sweet dairy cows, Hershey and Yooper. The ambiance makes you forget you’re off the main drag of Iron Mountain, but instead on a peaceful pasture ranch. My recommendation? Get a waffle cone with the Mackinac Island Fudge!
James
Blackstone Pizza doesn’t get enough attention – it’s one of the best dinner spots in Iron Mountain. LaSalle Falls has a one mile hike to a 20-foot waterfall and is one of the better hikes in the area. It’s a bit of a drive out to Florence but is certainly worth it. The town of Norway has recently added 24 miles of mountain biking trails called the Dickinson County Trail Network. Iron Mountain is actively building more bike trails at a site called Millie Hill!
Jet
If you’ve rafted the Menominee River with us, you might remember crossing a bridge back across the river on the way home. The put-in by the bridge is a nice place to sit and relax after a wild day. You can put your feet in the water and just watch the river going by. If you are there early enough to see the sunrise or late enough to see the sunset it’s absolutely stunning.
Marena
One of my favorite things to do is run the hiking trail through Piers Gorge. You’d think I’d get bored of the area since I raft through it almost daily, but its beauty never ceases to intrigue me. I’m so thrilled to have so many beautiful places so close to my place of work where I can clear my mind and get back in touch with nature.
I also highly recommend the restaurant Thai Bistro in Iron Mountain. I knew about it before I ever worked near Iron Mountain because my dad would drive out of his way on trips to eat there. I’ve been trying new things on their menu and everything has been delicious!
Nora
My favorite nearby hike is Cathedral Pines. Just a short drive from the Peshtigo River Outpost, this stand of ancient white pines is home to trees that arborists estimate are almost 300 years old!! You can take the short walking loop and get a feel for what Wisconsin’s forests would have been like before logging. There are some lovely spots to throw up a hammock and relax, surrounded by sun-dappled ferns. The gravel road drive to the start of the hike is almost as beautiful as the hike itself. If you’re like me and drive a sedan that wasn’t meant to leave the comforts of a paved road, you’re pretty much forced to drive gently, take a breath, and enjoy taking it slow.
Casey
I like to spend my days off hiking around the local parks and forests, and Marinette County has plenty of options to choose from. One of my favorite spots though is Dave’s Falls — it’s an excellent little hike but also a great place to spend a couple of hours with family and friends. There are several spots that allow you to hike along the Pike River and lead to several other smaller falls on the path and some sandy shorelines where you can relax.