Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center

A 37,000 sq. ft, $7 million facility with an observation tower, viewing platform, 100-seat theater, interpretive and historic exhibits, and regional visitor information and trip planning for Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan’s UP. The Center’s 180-acre site is comprised of lowland cedar and black ash, open fields, upland aspen, pine, spruce and balsam. An accessible 2/3-mile boardwalk trail system with two loops winds through the cedar and tamarack wetlands. The Center property is adjacent to the Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge.

Directions: Located 3 miles west of Ashland on Hwy. 2.

Gazetteer: Page 103, D-5.

Amenities: Restrooms, drinking fountain, gift shop, boardwalks.

Phone: 715/685-9983 (US Forest Service).

Web site: Northern Great Lakes Center

Signature Species: Migratory raptors, Bald Eagle, and spring warblers. Center staff can recommend other area birding spots.

Hours: 9am-5pm daily.

Accessibility: Center is fully accessible, as is the 2/3-mile boardwalk trail system.

Nearest food & lodging: Ashland, 3 miles east.