Bayfield is located in Wisconsin’s Bayfield County. Bayfield sits along U.S. highway 13 and is near Madeline Island, Basswood Island, and the Apostle Islands. Bayfield has a population of 473 and was founded in 1856. Bayfield is a place where visitors can experience four seasons of beautiful scenery and an array of activities.
Gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, this picturesque and charming village is known for its painstakingly restored Victorian homes, many of which have been converted into B&Bs. During summer, the gates of the Apostle Islands – a chain of 22 islands – stands fully open. Bayfield is known for some of the best sailing in the world. Superior’s sparkling waters and the brilliantly colored spinnakers of sailboats are visible at every turn, as are dozens of sea kayaks, drawn by the area’s many sea caves.
Visitors can witness the beauty of Lake Superior firsthand on chartered sailboat cruises available from Bayfield, Washburn, Madeline Island and Cornucopia. Sailing instructions for bareboat charters are also available. Owners of trailer-able boats will find easy access as well, with launch facilities along the coast of Lake Superior from Port Wing to Ashland and throughout the area on inland lakes. Anglers in search of bass, salmon and whitefish are also drawn to the area, and numerous charter fishing and guide services are available for those who want local expertise.
The country is filled with berry and apple orchards and Bayfield residents and visitors alike take part in a 50 year old tradition: the Bayfield Apple Festival, one of the largest harvest festivals in the Midwest. Over 50,000 people attend this three day event. With winter’s deep snows come another group of visitors, as both cross-country ski and snowmobile enthusiasts flock to the area. While some choose to spend long winter weekends enjoying the outdoors through a picture window, cozying up in front of a glowing fireplace at a Victorian Bed and Breakfast, others get out the sleds, skis or snowshoes and hit the trails.
