Departments

Recreation

5 Ways to Play

Pedal across Tomorrow River State Trail

The Tomorrow River State Trail is perfect for any cyclist looking for a long workout, but not a bumpy one, in view of changing, but always appealing sights. The 30-mile trail across smooth, crushed limestone starts in Plover, goes through Scandinavia and ends in Manawa. There’s always something new to look at, with a nice blend of open fields, historic railroad junctions and secluded woodland. The trail is gorgeous year-round, but we recommend visiting during the height of autumn so you’ll be surrounded by crisp auburn leaves as you pass through the forests.

Go Skiing at Iola Winter Sports Club

Downhill skiing gets all the attention, but there are some really awesome resorts devoted to cross-country skiing as well as ski jumping, and Iola Winter Sports Club is one of them. In fact, this sports club hails as one of only five ski jumping facilities in Wisconsin. If you’re an avid ski jumper, you’ve probably already heard of Iola Winter Sports Club or even participated in the annual Iola Winter Carnival ski jumping competition. But for the uninitiated, ski jumpers at the Iola sports club ski accelerate across one of five ramps between five and 60 meters before lifting off, gliding briefly and sticking the landing (hopefully!) Needless to say, ski jumping comes with a steep learning curve, and just watching ski jumpers is exhilarating. Fortunately, cross-country skiing is more forgiving to beginners, and the sports club has three levels of trails for all skill levels across four miles, which are lighted if you prefer skiing at night. And for only $5 for a ski rental package and a trail fee at $10 or less, this winter is the perfect time to discover a new hobby.

Tee off at Glacier Wood Golf Club

Ranked the tenth best golf club in Wisconsin by Golf Advisor, Glacier Wood is actually the shortest drive from the Fox Cities out of all the top-10 heavy hitters at just 39 miles, meaning you’ll get the best quality golfing for the shortest drive in the state. The course has four sets of tees and 18 holes across 12,000 square feet of natural grass hitting areas and 4,500 square feet of putting greens. Course architects Larry Packard and Art Johnson are among the most prolific in Wisconsin, having a hand in designing over 600 golf courses, including this one, and they’re to thank for the course’s harmony with nature: some holes are built on wide-open meadows establishing a sense of freedom, and others are situated around forestland to create a secluded, intimate game of golf.

Hike across Iola’s historic markers

Iola’s main attractions tend to involve either local history or exercising scenic natural spots, so why not have both? Since 2009, the Iola Historical Society has worked to document all of Iola’s historical spots via informational signs that will make your walk across Iola healthy and educational. Across Iola’s 14 markers, you’ll learn about Iola’s early history, the first Iola car show and more. Fortunately, they’re mostly within walking distance of each other, making for a rewarding walk, with the 14 total markers situated primarily on Main Street, Iola Street, Depot Street and State Street, though you’ll have to drive to the Iola Winter Sports club to see its marker. And the historical society isn’t done, either – two more markers, dedicated to the Iola Hospital and Iola Cancer Sanatoriums’ histories, are expected to be unveiled on August 19.

Put your kayaking skills to the test

If you paddled some of our destinations in the kayaking Worth the Drive article two years ago, you’ve swung with the best of them: you’ve mastered Elkhart Lake, you’ve trounced Green Lake, showed the Chain O’Lakes who’s boss, and now you’re ready for a new challenge. Despite the name, Iola’s Upper Little Wolf is not an easy place to kayak, but if you’re up for it, this river is considered one of the most scenic and challenging bodies of water in Waupaca County. Advanced kayakers will appreciate the rapids and fluctuating water levels, but always be prepared, never kayak alone and check weather conditions ahead of time as heavy rain, for instance, can make the Little Wolf River more difficult. This difficult river is matched squarely by its natural beauty, however, being enclosed in a cedar forest and adorned with ferns and, in the spring, wildflowers. Starting at Wolf River Road and ending just north of Big Falls, this will be a three- to four-hour trip.