Swimming/ Boating
Water skiing, jet skiing, pontoon boat cruises and relaxing boat rides are the most popular activities on Lake Arbutus and the upper Black River flowage. The upper Black River flowage combines a beautiful unspoiled shoreline with natural serenity. You may even catch a glimpse of a bald eagle or a white-tailed deer.
Lake Arbutus cradles both Clark and Jackson counties in West Central Wisconsin. The 840 acre lake was formed in the early 1900’s. The 9 miles of shoreline provide a variety of recreational opportunities including boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing, and canoeing with 6 boat landings and two public beaches.
Hiking
Jackson County and the Black River State Forest offers many opportunities for hikers. There are over 100 miles or more of hiking trails across Jackson County for your enjoyment. Breathtaking scenery and wildlife are abundant in Jackson County for the nature lover.
For more information about hiking in the area, please call the Black River Chamber of Commerce for more details, and you may also want to view our hiking trail map of the Black River State Forest where cross-country skiers, mountain bikers and hikers alike enjoy our trail areas.
Horse Trails
The Black River State Forest provides 35 miles of horse trails through rustic pine and oak forest. The trailhead, near the East Fork Campground, is located in a twelve-site campground developed specifically for horse riders.
Hunting
With approximately 200,000 acres of public lands and a bountiful supply of deer, it is not surprising that Jackson County is known as the “Deer Capital of Wisconsin.” The Jackson County Forest and Black River State Forest provide a perfect habitat for deer, ruffed grouse, squirrel and wild turkey. Dike 17 and the Black River bottoms provide excellent waterfowl hunting for ducks and geese.
County and state campgrounds are open for fall camping and many commercial and private facilities are available as well. Be a responsible hunter and know whose land your are hunting, and always get permission of the owner before hunting on private land.
Kayaking the Black River
While the upper portions are considered too rocky for navigation, canoeing is popular on the central stretch through Jackson and Clark counties. From Hall’s Creek Landing, 13.5 miles north of Black River Falls, the river flows through quiet forests to a landing above the dam at Black River Falls. Below the dam, put in at the landing on First Street and enjoy a gorgeous 30-mile ride to New Amsterdam. Canoe rentals are readily available along the route. The current is slow and access is available at road crossings.
Jackson County has some of the finest streams and rivers in Wisconsin. With few rapids, the Black River is an excellent river for family canoeing. The river is dotted with sand bars, ideal for camping and sun bathing. All along the Black River access points are conveniently located, from Hatfield all the way to the Mississippi River. You can plan a two-hour trip or a five day excursion. Our creeks can offer a more challenging experience for the seasoned canoeist and kayaker. Halls Creek, Morrison Creek, the East Fork and the Black River and Robinson Creek provide thrilling rapids and stunning scenery. When you plan your trip be sure to call for the latest water conditions.
Mountain Biking
The off-road biker will find unique trail opportunities in Jackson County. The Black River State Forest has 34 miles of designated mountain bike trails. Trailheads can be found at Castle Mound and Pigeon Creek campgrounds and at the Smrekar and Wildcat cross-country ski trail parking lots. The trails take you through scenic pine and oak forests with terrain that will challenge you at every level. The Wazee recreational area provides nine miles of mountain bike trail – this trail follows the old Jackson county iron mine sites and provides breathtaking vistas of eastern Jackson County.
Besides the designated trails, the Black River State Forest and Jackson County Forest have several hundred miles of forest and old logging roads which are open to mountain bike travel and will give you a one-of-a-kind off-road experience.
Swimming/ Scuba Diving: http://townofbrockway.com/wazee-lake/
Wazee Lake is one of the best dives in the Midwest. At 355 feet, it is the deepest lake in Wisconsin. The water is crystal clear and has lots to explore. During summer months, visibility is 30 to 40 feet—and in the winter, it can be as much as 60 feet.
Beginning in the 1960s, the Jackson County Iron Mine Quarry supplied taconite pellets to the steel mills of East Chicago. Massive pumps kept the quarry from filling with water. In April of 1983, when the mine closed, these pumps were turned off and the 355-foot quarry, complete with roadways and a small forest, began to rapidly fill with water. The result was the deepest lake in Wisconsin—and an ideal destination for divers from throughout the Midwest.
Divers can follow the abandoned mining roads as they descend into the depths or swim through the underwater forests. There are a number of sheer rock faces, as well as numerous fish and abundant aquatic plants. You’ll also find a shipwreck that’s fun to explore. During the winter, Wazee Lake offers fantastic ice diving, with visibility better than any other time of year.
Bruce Mound Winter Sports Area https://www.facebook.com/brucemound Bruce Mound Winter Sports Area in Clark County provides affordable FAMILY FUN for Skiing, Snowboarding, Snow Tubing & Cross Country Skiing. The area is owned, maintained & operated by Clark County. The hill is open Friday evenings, Saturdays, Sundays, and over the Christmas holiday week. For additional information please contact Clark County Forestry & Parks at 715-743-5140. For snow conditions please call 715-743-2296 during operating hours.
Snowmobiling
Jackson County has over 300 miles of groomed snowmobile trails which connect to 500 miles of trails in surrounding counties. connections can be made to every trail in the state. Our trails offer the unique experience of varied terrain. On the west side of the county, the trails wind through forest and agricultural land. The rolling landscape is quite steep in places, which is characteristic of the “Coulee Country” of western Jackson County and certainly adds to the challenge. In eastern Jackson County the trails meander through heavily wooded areas and a gentler, more level grade. Choose your path – the scenery is excellent and you will be sure to find well maintained trails which are groomed frequently, including weekends.
Other Area Activities Links:
Levis Mound: -The Levis Mound and Trow Mound recreational trail in Southern Clark County Wisconsin, has become one of the premiere trail destinations in the Midwest. Well known for it’s fantastic 25 miles of Mountain bike singletrack trails.
Lunda Park: -Black River area has a beautiful Aquatic Center with a waterslide and inner tubes for the slides. This is great fun for the whole family. Open daily 11:30 – 7:30 from June – August
Clark County ATV Information:
The High Ground Veterans Memorial Park: http://www.thehighground.org The Highground is a veterans memorial park that pays tribute to the dead, and honors the survivors, their service and their sacrifices. It is the mission of The Highground to honor veterans and their families and to educate about the cost of things— the human cost. Admission is Free.
Hatfield Flea Market and Craft Sale: http://www.travelwisconsin.com/events/fairs-festivals/hatfield-flea-market-and-craft-sale-39603
Hatfield Fun Days: http://www.travelwisconsin.com/events/fairs-festivals/hatfield-fun-days-flea-market/craft-sale-40277
Hatfield Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hatfieldwisconsin
City of Neillsville, WI: http://www.neillsville-wi.com/
Neillsville Chamber: http://www.neillsville.org/
Black River Falls Chamber: http://www.blackrivercountry.net/
Wisconsin DNR: http://dnr.wi.gov/
