BAYFIELD COUNTY WISCONSIN
At the far northern edge of Wisconsin, a peninsula reaches into the largest freshwater lake in the world – Lake Superior. At the top of the peninsula where the mainland caves have been shaped over centuries by wind and waves, there is a group of islands which together comprise the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and Gaylord Nelson Wilderness Area. Heading down the peninsula you’ll find the home of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa along with the nation’s first tribal national park at Frog Bay. Our South Shore communities offer plenty of opportunities to stroll sand beaches and take in some local culture at area shops and museums. Lake Superior is ever present here. It is at once powerful and serene, humbling and inviting. The Big Lake can hold you in a comforting embrace or rage with almost cruel indifference, but regardless of its mood, the Lake is a constant companion, a factor in every day. With a climate tempered by proximity to the greatest of the Great Lakes and protected by rolling hills, Bayfield is famous for its agriculture,
especially fruit production – a rare thing in such northern latitudes. Apple orchards abound in the hills surrounding town. Local berry growers produce some of the largest crops of blueberries, raspberries and strawberries in the Midwest, earning Bayfield the title of “Berry Capital of Wisconsin.” You’ll find lots of value-added products such as cider, jellies, jams, preserves, pickles, honey, bakery and more at the farm stores and local shops. Several wineries and cideries are also transforming local fruits into libations. Treat yourself to a tasting and enjoy a tour while you’re at it. The local food doesn’t stop there – local fishermen bring in a daily catch of salmon, trout, burbot, whitefish and herring seasonally, providing the area with fresh fish from the clean waters of Lake Superior, one of the few remaining sustainable fisheries on the Great Lakes. There are 962 inland lakes in Bayfield County including the Pike Chain, the Eau Claire Chain, Lake Owen and Lake Namekagon. Each of our communities have formed around these bodies
of water and many have historical museums to tell the story of how people have adapted to the landscape over the years. The Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center has a historical archive for the northern counties and is a great place to learn about the natural, cultural, historical and geological history of the area including the Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway. The area is steeped in natural beauty. Hike to waterfalls, ski or snowmobile through thousands of acres of forests, explore miles of lakeshore or tour one of the national treasures in Bayfield County including the North Country National Scenic Trail, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. With mountain bike trails galore, this is becoming a hub for bike enthusiasts as well as an epicenter for world class events and an international destination for kayaking and sailing. Explore Wisconsin’s North Coast for yourself and reconnect with nature – and each other – in this amazing place.
REQUEST MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DESTINATIONS IN BAYFIELD COUNTY Want more information? Many of the communities in Bayfield County have guides to their specific areas. Request more information by contacting Bayfield County Tourism at (715) 373-6125 or go to TRAVELBAYFIELDCOUNTY.COM. You can also request publications from the Bayfield Chamber & Visitor Bureau at (715) 779-3335 or BAYFIELD.ORG; the Iron River Chamber of Commerce at (715) 372-8558 or VISITIRONRIVER.COM; or the Washburn chamber of Commerce at (715) 373-5017 or WASHBURNCHAMBER.COM.
Economic Impacts of Tourism Bayfield County Visitor Spending
Sales & Local Taxes Generated
Visitor Spending in
Business Wages
State and Local Taxes in millions
millions
Business Sales in
201 2
$5.34
2012
$53.44
2012
$10.13
2013
$40.70
201 3
$5.30
2013
$54.80
2013
$10.20
2014
$42.40
201 4
$5.50
2014
$57.20
2014
$10.40
2015
$45.20
201 5
$5.80
2015
$60.70
2015
$11.20
2016
$46.50
201 6
$5.90
2016
$62.60
2016
$11.60
2017
$48.30
201 7
$6.00
2017
$64.90
2017
$11.60
2018
$53.90
201 8
$6.50
2018
$71.20
2018
$11.90
$-
$10.00
$20.00
$30.00
$40.00
$50.00
$60.00
$-
$2.00
2018 visitor spending in Bayfield County was up over 34% since 2012. 2012 - $40.12 million 2013 - $40.70 million 2014 - $42.40 million 2015 - $45.20 million 2016 - $46.50 million 2017 - $48.30 million 2018 - $53.90 million
$4.00
$6.00
TAXES IN MILLIONS OF $
SPENDING IN MILLIONS OF $
2018 state and local tax revenue generated in Bayfield County through tourism spending increased by 22% since 2012. 2012 - $5.34 million 2013 - $5.30 million 2014 - $5.50 million 2015 - $5.80 million 2016 - $5.90 million 2017 - $6.00 million 2018 - $6.50 million
$8.00
$-
YEAR
$40.12
YEAR
2012
YEAR
YEAR
in millions
Business Sales
$20.00
$40.00
$60.00
SALES IN MILLIONS OF $
$80.00
$9.00
millions
$9.50 $10.00 $10.50 $11.00 $11.50 $12.00 $12.50 WAGES IN MILLIONS OF $
2018 business sales in Bayfield County were up over 33% since 2012.
2018 business wages in Bayfield County were up over 17% since 2012.
2012 - $53.44 million 2013 - $54.80 million 2014 - $57.20 million 2015 - $60.70 million 2016 - $62.60 million 2017 - $64.90 million 2018 - $71.20 million
2012 - $10.13 million 2013 - $10.20 million 2014 - $10.40 million 2015 - $11.20 million 2016 - $11.60 million 2017 - $11.60 million 2018 - $11.90 million
what an incredible place this is and keep people “in the loop” who are interested in our assets and upcoming events. The podcast is available on the website as well as on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher. The website is also a great resource for local businesses to find information about signage, to list their events and to list their information in our Business Directory. Visitors can order brochures including the official Bayfield County Visitor and Recreation Guide, Snowmobile Map, ATV/ UTV Map and more. Another great place to find out about happenings and events is on the Bayfield County Tourism Facebook page. Stop by to see us at the courthouse in Washburn, give us a call or get in touch via email for more information.
BAYFIELD COUNTY TOURISM Mary Motiff Bayfield County is the second largest county in the state and half of our land is in public ownership. This makes it a popular place to recreate, but with fewer tax dollars to fund our infrastructure. According to data from the Department of Workforce Development, tourism supports 1 in 4 jobs in Bayfield County compared with 1 in 13 statewide. Tourism is literally woven into the fabric of life here at the Top of Wisconsin. The Bayfield County Tourism Department works with all the tourism businesses and entities in Bayfield County to promote the area as a destination for leisure travelers. This is done in many ways including web content
development, advertising, social media marketing and the creation of publications. Our website, www.travelbayfieldcounty.com, is a useful tool for finding details about all the dining, lodging, shopping and activities in the area. We worked with our Land Records Department to create an interactive map with all those details and it is a very helpful tool for finding out all there is to see and do in the area. Since we don’t have a large advertising budget and there is so much to promote, we have been recording a monthly podcast called Bayfield County Wild which features a different topic and guest each month. This is one way that we can get the word out about
Business Wage
WASBURN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Melissa Martinez As we celebrate our 25th year as an official Chamber of Commerce we are excited for the new and innovative things coming in the future. Now, more than ever, we are dedicated to supporting Washburn area businesses while celebrating our community and its unique place on Lake Superior. The Washburn Area Chamber of Commerce is a resource for area businesses and visitors alike, and we are looking to take that to the next level. We are focused on bringing awareness that Washburn is a destination all on its own. Our strategic location between Ashland and Bayfield makes Washburn the ideal base camp for all local adventures, and exploration. We are right in the middle of it all with the Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest and Lake Superior as our crown jewels. Biking, snowmobiling, hiking and skiing are all available with free access to hundreds of miles of recreational trails. Not including our 1 ½ mile Community Lake Walk, which is partly wheelchair accessible. We are also home to two beautiful waterfalls just outside the city limits. There are three local campgrounds each with its own distinct personality as well. Big Rock Campground is located on a Class A trout stream, Memorial Park is a located in a wooded setting on a bluff overlooking Lake Superior and Thompson’s West End Park right on the lake shore is perfect place for RV campers.
Our artsy vibe and unique local events set us apart from other destinations in the Bay Area. Award winning eateries, live music, art galleries and theater productions are just a few of the amazing experiences Washburn has to offer. Take part in any of our annual events such as the Brownstone Block Party, Board Across the Bay, Bike Across the Bay, the Washburn Winter Triathlon, or Washburn Zombie Days. Our office is located on historic Bayfield street and we are now open Monday – Friday 9am- 4:30pm all year long. We encourage you to come in and let us help you plan your visit. You can also request information from our website at washburnchamber.com or by giving us a call at (715) 373-5017. We can’t wait to see you.
IRON RIVER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Geri Dresen Iron River, Wisconsin is a very special place known as the Recreational Area of the North. We have many lakes, the Nicolet Chequamegon National Forest, the North Country Trail and the CAMBA Trails. The area is a four-season vacation destination offering verdant forests for hunting, and incredible trails for hiking, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, ATVs/UTVs, and premium mountain biking, plus clear lakes, rivers and streams for fishing, swimming and boating.
There are many lodging and camping choices, great restaurants, unique shopping, a historical museum and mural, bowling alley, winery, incredible library, hiking trail right within the city limits, and genuine, home town hospitality. The Iron River area hosts a variety of annual events, including the Northern Pines Sled Dog Races, the annual Spider Lake Run, a 10K, 5K and 2-mile walk/ run; the Summerfest vendor fair, the Iron River Lions Club Blueberry Festival, and the Bayfield County Fair. A veterans memorial park is being built by the Across The Pond Veterans Park - a memorial, tranquil sitting
area, walking trails and, eventually, an RV park with camping, right on the Iron River Flowage. We invite you to experience nature’s majesty, great food, charming accommodations and a warm welcome from the people who love to share their home town with visitors who quickly become new friends. If you need help finding a place to stay, eat, shop or play, the Iron River Area Chamber of Commerce will help you find what you are looking for. We can be reached by phone (715) 372-8558 or toll free at (800) 345-0716. You can also find information on line at visitironriver.com. We look forward to your visit.
sector that generates millions of dollars in direct revenue, as well as quality jobs and tax revenue for the state. Bayfield is the “Gateway to the Apostle Islands.” These 22 islands stretch over 70,000 acres of Lake Superior to form an archipelago known worldwide for premier sailing and fishing. Twenty one of these islands make up the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and contain more lighthouses than any other national park. The Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau is proud to fulfill the “Bayfield Experience” to over 1.5 million visitors every year with a mix of businesses including; adventure, orchards, retail, lodging, restaurants, nonprofits, and professional services. We are both honored and blessed to be able to promote this destination.
BAYFIELD CHAMBER & VISITOR BUREAU David Eades The first references in a newspaper for the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce is from the 1920’s. Our actual birthdate seems to have been lost to history, but the mission has not. Bayfield has served as home to countless businesses and a tourist destination since its founding in 1856. Although it may have been the stands of white pine, the plentiful fish from the big lake, or the brownstone that brought men here to get rich, they soon realized what the Anishinaabe have known for hundreds of years; that Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands sustains life far
beyond what simply can be cut down or extracted from the landscape for money. The natural beauty, clean water, and clean air of Bayfield quickly became known as place to vacation with family and friends and a place to rest, rejuvenate, and discover nature all over again. The Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau, as it is now known, values and promotes the special allure of Bayfield with regards to its social, cultural, environmental and architectural history. Our mission is to share this magical place with the rest of world while maintaining the special image, traditions, and culture of the community. As a destination marketing organization, we provide the foundation to a thriving tourism
UPCOMING EVENTS May 10-June 9 Bayfield in Bloom A month long celebration of Spring in Bayfield, bayfield.org May 13-June 7 Eat. Drink. Washburn Explore the restaurants and dining options in Washburn, washburnchamber.com June 8 Spider Lake Run 5K/10K Run or 2 mile walk in Iron River (715) 372-8558 July 20-21 Bayfield Festival of Arts A juried fine art show held on the shores of Lake Superior in Downtown Bayfield, bayfield.org July 26-28 Brownstone Block Party / Board Across the Bay A city-wide party and stand-up paddleboard race in Washburn, washburnchamber.com July 27-28 Blueberry Festival Pie eating contest, Live music, Craft vendors and more. Iron River, irlions.com
August 8-11 Bayfield County Fair Admission includes unlimited carnival rides and grandstand events. Live music, petting zoo, horse show, family entertainment stage and much more, bayfieldcounty.org October 4, 5 & 6 Bayfield Apple Festival Three days of food and fun to celebrate the apple harvest from the farms and orchards surrounding Bayfield, bayfield.org October 25-26 Washburn Zombie Days A city-wide family celebration of Halloween including parades carnivals and more, washburnchamber.com February 1-2, 2020 Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race A two-day sled dog race through the hills and forests of Bayfield County, bayfield.org