Spring Back to Life with Us in Wisconsin’s Great Northwest

It's time to shed those bulky winter jackets, lace up your hiking boots, and venture out to take a crisp breath of fresh air and witness the Northwoods wildlife and vegetation spring back to life.

The temperatures are rising, and the snow is starting to melt here in Spooner making the opportunities to enjoy silent sports outside abundant. Located right in town, Spooner's City Park boasts paved and unpaved trails for hiking and biking enthusiasts, baseball fields, two miles of outdoor workout stations, a disc golf course, and a great pavilion to take a break in.

Located just south of Spooner, Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary is an ideal place to wander through the property's forests, meadows, and bogs on their 13 miles of hiking trails ranging in difficulty and distance. These gorgeous trails and other woodland creatures in their natural habitat, as well as striking panoramic views of four glacial lakes. The Sanctuary also offers additional programs such as " Maple Madness" on Friday, March 26, and "Spring Silliness" on Friday, April 2.

Another fantastic place to check out this spring is Wisconsin's Moving Park, the Namekagon River. The 99.5 mile Namekagon is designated as a "scenic river" signifying an outstanding national example of high water quality, rich wildlife habitat, and a premier recreation location with limited development along its banks. The best way to navigate the river is still by canoe or kayak and features many primitive campsites along its shores that you can pull your vessel up to, set up camp, and sleep under the stars.

Whether you want to get out hiking, biking, camping, canoeing, or kayaking, Spooner is the place for you to be this spring!

-As published in the March/April issue of "On Wisconsin Outdoors"