It takes just one look at a map to understand why they call this region Wisconsin’s Lake Country. In fact, Minocqua is situated on a tiny peninsula jutting into a lake ringed with beautiful boathouses, and you can fish right off the public pier downtown. Minocqua, and the nearby communities of Woodruff and Arbor Vitae, offer an ideal getaway for people who love both summer and winter outdoor activities. Walleye and bass are plentiful in these waters, and there are so many small lakes around that you could find your own, spending the morning with no one but the birds to keep you company. Hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails wind their way around the lakes, and when the snows descend, the trails are marked with tracks from cross-country skis, snowshoes, and snowmobiles.

The town of Minocqua itself is a charming basecamp, with plenty of shops, breweries, and restaurants to entertain you between adventures. (The Friday night fish fries in this region are legendary.) The 36-foot-tall statue of Paul Bunyan and Babe is not the only remnant of this area’s logging past — lumberjack shows take place in Woodruff all summer.

Minocqua is remote enough to require a car to drive around — and to get there in the first place. No intercity buses or trains pass through this part of Wisconsin. Several daily flights from Midwestern hubs arrive at Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport (RHI) in Rheinlander, 27 miles to the southeast, and you can rent a car there or take a taxi to Minocqua. You may find it just as convenient to fly into Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), which is around 250 miles, or a 4-hour drive, to the west. You won’t find public transportation options once you’re in town, but you can rent bikes, all manner of boats, and snowmobiles to get around on land or water.

The population of Minocqua quadruples in summer, which should tell you a little bit about the considerable appeal of Wisconsin’s lake country. All those lakes keep the July and August weather from being oppressively hot, though the weather does tend toward the muggy. (Thanks to the lakes, you’ll also want to bring lots of bug spray.) The fishing season begins in late spring and goes through early fall, when the temperatures dip into chilly territory. October turns the entire countryside brilliant shades of orange and red — perfect for hikes and scenic drives. The snows start in late October and peak in December andJanuary, when the temperature often drops below zero degrees Fahrenheit. But those are also the perfect conditions for activities such as cross-country skiing, snowmobile riding, and the city’s favorite winter sport: snowshoe baseball.

Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest

The Wisconsin state authorities have counted 900 lakes in this 236,000-acre park, located just a few miles from downtown Minocqua. There are plentiful trails for you to meander on, sandy beach spots with picnic areas, and a nature center at Crystal Lake Campground that offers displays and educational talks. You’ll also find dozens of campsites, including a few primitive backcountry spots that require a canoe to get to. Keep in mind that you’ll need a state park admission sticker for your car.

Hanging out in the water

If you aren’t driving to Minocqua with your own boat in tow, never fear: There are a number of rental shops that will hook you up with everything you need to hang out on the water, from tubes and stand-up paddle boards to pontoons for slow cruises. You could set your canoe into the water and spend the day exploring the chain of Minocqua Lakes. Anglers here set their sights on walleye, bigmouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, and muskie. If you visit in winter, the fishing doesn’t stop — it simply moves onto the ice.

Minocqua Winter Park

This nonprofit hub for snow sports, which combines a municipal park with trails through private lands, is a popular destination for all manner of winter fun. In addition to the 54 miles of trails dedicated to cross-country skiing, you’ll find groomed paths for fat-tire bikes and snowshoes, hills for tubing down, and a lake for ice-skating, as well as fire pits and refreshments.