Contact: David Eades
Phone: (800) 447-4094
Email: david@bayfield.org
Bayfield Peninsula’s Highway 13 designated the newest state Scenic Byway
State Highway 13 around Wisconsin’s northernmost peninsula has officially been designated as the newest Wisconsin Scenic Byway, making it one of only four state scenic byways and bringing attention to the incredible natural resources and cultural history of the area.
Named Wisconsin Lake Superior Byway, it follows the southern shoreline of Lake Superior for 70 miles starting at the junction of U.S. Highway 2 and State Highway 13 in Bayfield County, continuing around the Bayfield peninsula and ending at County Highway H in Douglas County. The Byway is a snapshot of the geological, historical, cultural, and ecological diversity of the region passing through the lakeside towns of Barksdale, Washburn, Bayview, Bayfield, the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa reservation, Bell, Clover, Cloverland, Orienta, Port Wing, Russell, and the South Shore communities of Cornucopia, Herbster and Port Wing. It features breathtaking views of boreal forests, pristine sandy beaches, and the sparkling blue waters of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, which offer year-round recreational opportunity.
The area is famous for its world-class sailing and kayaking, early industries such as fishing and brownstone mining, and is home of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, which boasts a collection of 8 historic light towers on 6 islands within the 22 island archipelago in Lake Superior.
Wisconsin’s Lake Superior BywayIn his letter of approval to the council Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Mark Gottlieb writes, “I would like to congratulate the Wisconsin Lake Superior Byway Council and all the individuals, local governments, and organizations that worked on or supported designation for STH 13 as a Wisconsin scenic byway. You all are to be commended for your vision, your initiative and perseverance to preserve and promote a treasure found right here in Wisconsin.”
In receiving this approval, citizens and representatives from all thirteen of the municipalities along the Byway contributed many hours working to develop the required visual components and management plan. The newly formed Wisconsin Lake Superior Byway Council will have the ability to compete for federal grants to enhance the Byway for visitors. Another benefit of designation is that the route will be marked with official Wisconsin Scenic Byways logo signs encouraging visitors to explore and experience all the communities along the route.
For more information, contact David Eades at the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Bureau at david@bayfield.org or (800) 447-4094. Eades is the acting chair of Wisconsin’s Lake Superior Byway Council.
