By: Mindy Simons
The drive north into the Hayward Lakes area pays off in autumn, when the maples and birches of Wisconsin’s Northwoods turn gold and crimson and the calendar fills with festivals built for families. Three of them anchor the season, each offering a different flavor of fall for kids and parents. They land on consecutive weekends, so families can catch one as a day trip or string several together into a Northwoods getaway.
The season opens with the Chequamegon MTB Festival the third Saturday in September, which brings thousands of mountain bikers to the woods between Hayward and Cable for one of the most respected off-road races in the country. Families do not need to race to enjoy it. The Little Loggers kids’ bike event gives young riders a short course of their own, and the festival surrounding the main races fills the weekend with live music, food trucks, and a celebratory atmosphere set against peak fall color. Kids can cheer riders crossing the finish line at the Great Hall in Cable, then wander the trails on foot to take in the scenery.
One week later, the Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the Hayward Fall Festival from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Hayward. Main Street is filled with fine art and craft booths, sidewalk sales, and food vendors, while a brat, beer, and wine garden keeps parents fueled. The day is built with children in mind, with kids’ games and activities, a scarecrow contest, and pumpkins on display throughout downtown. Live music runs from morning to evening, and the walkable, small-town setting makes the festival easy to navigate with strollers and little ones in tow. Admission is free, which makes it a low-pressure outing for families watching a budget.
The season peaks at the Stone Lake Cranberry Festival the first full Saturday in October. This celebration draws more than 30,000 people to the small village of Stone Lake. Over 300 vendors line the streets with crafts and cranberry treats, and families can take a guided tour of a working cranberry marsh during harvest, watching the bright red berries float to the surface. A grand parade rolls down Main Street at 2 p.m., followed by the Krate Derby, where kids race homemade carts down the hill. Fresh berries and craisins are sold by the bag, a sweet souvenir to carry home.
Families vacationing in Wisconsin’s Hayward Lakes Area can choose from a wide variety of lodging options designed to suit different group sizes, budgets, and vacation styles. Cozy lakefront cabins and cottages are among the most popular choices, offering private access to the region’s scenic lakes, full kitchens, outdoor fire pits, and space for children to play. Larger families or groups often prefer vacation homes or rental lodges, which provide multiple bedrooms, spacious living areas, and amenities such as docks, grills, and game rooms. Traditional resorts are another favorite, combining comfortable accommodations with family-friendly features like sandy beaches, swimming areas, boat rentals, and playgrounds. Visitors seeking convenience can stay in hotels and motels located near downtown Hayward, where they are close to restaurants, shopping, and local attractions. For families who enjoy the outdoors, campgrounds and RV parks provide campsites, modern facilities, and opportunities to experience the area’s forests, lakes, and wildlife.
Festival schedules, lodging listings, and trip-planning tools for the entire area can be found at haywardlakes.com, where families can build a fall getaway around whichever celebration fits their weekend.