A Postcard from Minong, Wisconsin
Our kids are ATV fanatics. No wonder we decided Minong is the perfect place for our family vacation home. Safe trails in beautiful nature in the summer, then we switch to the snowmobile for the winter. Perfect family vacationing.

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About Minong, Wisconsin
Volleyball, softball, baton twirling, doggy races, pancake breakfasts - this is how Minong celebrates its annual Summer Days event. The village of Minong is tiny - less than a thousand residents. It lies in the midst of a wonderfully forested area that attracts people who love fishing, hunting and ATV riding.  With over 250,000 acres of county forest, this is a place for people who can't get enough of the outdoor experience, winter or summer. Its proximity to Lake Superior (50 miles) also adds to the possibilities for recreation and adventure.

And then there's the river life. The nearby Namekagon River, part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, is virtually undeveloped, offering canoeists a genuine wilderness experience. Wildlife includes deer, muskrat, beaver, turtles, blue heron, and even osprey and bald eagles. Minong is situated in the middle of two forks of the riverway, offering easy access to both the northern and southern flows. Lakes are all around, including Leader Lake and No Mans lake, among others.

Nearby towns in the area include Spooner, Trego, Shell Lake and Sarona, each with their own events and culture that enhance vacation life in Minong.

Local History
This area is where the pioneers really took hold. Many of the earlier settlers were from Scandinavian countries, and well adapted to the strong winter conditions. Much of the area was settled in the late 1800's. Some towns in the county had a great deal of strife between settlers and Native Americans, others, like Minong, were more peaceful. There is a wonderful narrative of the early history of Minong, written in 1905 by one of the earlier settlers. Enjoy reading it here:

An Average Lifestyle in Minong, Wisconsin
This is a very small town, with a very committed population, who support the best for the community. There is not a lot of pretension here, as life is simple and wholesome. This is middle-American, and darn proud of it.

Housing
Options: You can get a kit-made 10 x 18 Amish log cabin, from local artisans, for $12,950.  Lakefront homes start at $225,000 to $380,000. Many vacation homes are woodcrafted, cabins. Be clear up front if you want year-round or summer homes, as the needs are quite different. Summer cabins can be great, if that's all you want, but not suitable for winter. Other homes are completely winterized, perfect for summer and winter. Larger more substantial wood homes can be found for $750,000 and up.
Costs: Median 2000, $100,400

Things to Do in Minong
• ATV riding
• Snowmobiling
• Explore the ATV Wild River Trail
• Join the Minong Trails Club
• Trout Fishing in Washburn County Forest ponds
• Hunting
• Cross Country Skiing
• Horseback Riding
• Walking Trails
• Golf, in Minong and nearby towns
• Canoe on the Namekagon, with rapids for the experienced canoeist to wide quiet flowages
• Ice Fishing

Cultural Activities in Minong and nearby towns
• Theater in the Woods, Shell Lake
• Bluegrass Gospel Festival, Spooner
• Rodeos
• Gun show
• Spooner Heritage Festival
• Railroad Memories Museum, Spooner
• Museum of Woodcarving, Shell Lake
• Washburn County Historical Museum, Shell Lake

Near-By Excursions
• Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad rides, Spooner
• Fish Hatchery, Spooner
• Audubon Sanctuary, Sarona
• Schwan Center, Trego

Calendar of Events

Location Washburn County, northwest corner of Wisconsin
Elevation: 1064
Size: 1.5 sq miles

Distance to other major cities:
Duluth Minnesota: 51 miles
Eau Claire, Wisconsin: 94 miles
Shell Lake, Wisconsin: 28 miles
Spooner, Wisconsin: 21 miles
St. Paul, Mn: 127 miles

Getting To Minong, Wisconsin:
Fly into Duluth or St. Paul and then drive

Weather
Annual Average Temperature: January: 0 to 20; July: 58 to 80
Annual Average Rainfall: Between March and October, averages 2 to 4 inches daily; November to March, significant snowfall

Economics and Demographics
Population: 870; Washburn County: 16,631
Growth Rate: 1.4%
Median Age, 2000: 50.1
Median Household Income: $36,667
Principle Industries: Manufacturing, Retail

More information

Washburn County