Summit WisconsinATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Summit, Wisconsin.
1. Pattison State Park
NATURAL BEAUTY AND WATERFALLS
Pattison State Park offers visitors stunning natural landscapes highlighted by impressive waterfalls and scenic hiking trails. Travelers can enjoy outdoor activities including swimming, camping, and wildlife viewing throughout the seasons. The park is known for containing Big Manitou Falls, which at 165 feet is the highest waterfall in Wisconsin.
2. Mont du Lac Resort
YEAR-ROUND OUTDOOR RECREATION
Mont du Lac Resort provides visitors with exciting activities regardless of the season, featuring skiing and snowboarding in winter and mountain biking in summer. Guests can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the St. Louis River valley while participating in outdoor adventures or relaxing at the lodge. The resort offers family-friendly entertainment options including tubing hills and terrain parks for all skill levels.
3. Jay Cooke State Park
RUGGED RIVER LANDSCAPES
Jay Cooke State Park features dramatic landscapes where the St. Louis River rushes through a narrow gorge over ancient slate rock formations. Visitors can cross the iconic swinging bridge that provides spectacular views of the churning waters below. The park offers over 50 miles of hiking trails through diverse terrain including forests, river valleys, and historic sites.
4. Amnicon Falls State Park
CASCADING WATERFALLS EXPERIENCE
Amnicon Falls State Park delights visitors with a series of picturesque waterfalls and rapids along the Amnicon River. A covered horsebridge provides a unique vantage point to view the falls while connecting the two sides of the park. The park's relatively small size makes it perfect for a day trip where visitors can enjoy picnicking, photography, and exploring the rocky terrain.
5. Superior National Forest
VAST WILDERNESS EXPLORATION
Superior National Forest encompasses over three million acres of pristine wilderness with countless lakes, rivers, and old-growth forests. Outdoor enthusiasts can engage in activities ranging from canoeing and fishing to hiking and wildlife observation throughout the changing seasons. The forest includes the famous Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, offering one of North America's most impressive remote paddling experiences.
6. Mecikalski Stovewood Building
UNIQUE HISTORICAL ARCHITECTURE
The Mecikalski Stovewood Building stands as a rare example of a distinctive frontier construction technique where short logs were laid sideways in mortar. This historical structure offers visitors a glimpse into early Wisconsin settlement life and innovative building methods of the past. The museum inside features exhibits on local history and the significance of this unusual architectural style.
7. Mole Lake Casino
GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
Mole Lake Casino offers visitors a range of gaming options including slot machines, table games, and bingo in the heart of Wisconsin's Northwoods. The facility includes dining options where guests can enjoy casual meals between gaming sessions. Located on the Sokaogon Chippewa Community reservation, the casino provides entertainment while also supporting the local tribal economy.
8. Oconomowoc Lake
PRISTINE LAKESIDE RECREATION
Oconomowoc Lake provides visitors with a serene setting for water recreation including boating, fishing, and swimming in one of Wisconsin's most beautiful lakes. The surrounding area features historic homes and estates that showcase the lake's legacy as a retreat for wealthy Chicago families. Nature enthusiasts can observe various bird species and wildlife that make their home around the shoreline throughout the year.
9. Lapham Peak
SCENIC HIKING DESTINATION
Lapham Peak features the highest point in Waukesha County with an observation tower offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The area includes over 17 miles of hiking trails through diverse landscapes including prairies, forests, and wetlands that change dramatically with the seasons. Winter visitors can enjoy excellent cross-country skiing on groomed trails with snowmaking capabilities that extend the skiing season.
10. Nashotah Park
NATURAL RECREATION AREA
Nashotah Park spans over 400 acres of natural landscapes featuring wooded areas, open meadows, and wetlands perfect for outdoor exploration. Visitors can enjoy activities including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and picnicking across the park's diverse terrain. The park's trail system connects visitors to scenic overlooks and quiet natural spaces throughout all four seasons.
11. Nagawaukee Park
MULTI-SPORT RECREATION COMPLEX
Nagawaukee Park offers diverse recreational opportunities including an 18-hole golf course, swimming beach, disc golf course, and baseball diamonds. Winter visitors can enjoy activities such as sledding, cross-country skiing, and ice skating when conditions permit. The park's location on Nagawicka Lake provides beautiful water views and fishing opportunities throughout much of the year.
12. Kettle Moraine State Forest
GLACIAL LANDSCAPE PRESERVE
Kettle Moraine State Forest preserves unique glacial landforms including kettles, moraines, and kames formed during the last ice age. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore over 30,000 acres across multiple units featuring hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and skiing. The forest's diverse ecosystems support abundant wildlife viewing opportunities and natural experiences just a short drive from major urban areas.
13. Old World Wisconsin
LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM
Old World Wisconsin immerses visitors in the state's immigrant past through more than 60 historic structures spread across 600 acres of rolling countryside. Costumed interpreters demonstrate traditional crafts, farming techniques, and daily life from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Visitors can explore authentic buildings including farmsteads, a village, school, and church that have been carefully restored and furnished with period artifacts.
14. Pike Lake Unit
WATERSIDE NATURAL RETREAT
Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest centers around a 522-acre spring-fed lake perfect for swimming, fishing, and boating adventures. Visitors can climb the observation tower on Powder Hill for spectacular views of the surrounding kettle moraine landscape formed by glaciers thousands of years ago. The area offers year-round recreation including camping, hiking, and winter sports across its nearly 700 acres of protected land.
15. Lake Country Recreation Trail
SCENIC MULTI-USE PATHWAY
Lake Country Recreation Trail offers a paved 15-mile route following a former railway corridor through some of Waukesha County's most scenic landscapes. Trail users pass through charming communities, alongside lakes, and through natural areas while enjoying a relatively flat grade suitable for all ability levels. The trail connects several parks and natural areas, making it ideal for both recreational outings and practical transportation between local destinations.