Wisconsin Fall Colors Northwoods Women's Adventure

      Manitowish Waters, WI, USA

      GE
      Green Edventures Ecotours & Expeditions
      • Email address verified
      • Facebook verified
      170 reviews
      Oct 9 - 15, 2020
      Group size: 11 - 11
      Wisconsin Fall Colors Northwoods Women's Adventure
      Manitowish Waters, WI, USA

      Green Edventures Ecotours & Expeditions
      • Email address verified
      • Facebook verified
      170 reviews

      Oct 9 - 15, 2020
      Group size: 11 - 11

      About this trip

      Wander up to Wisconsin's Northwoods in October and be captivated by fall’s dramatic colors, trek trails rich with history,  paddle on sparkling lakes, cycle over cool creeks, harvest from the land, and be part of the beloved tradition known as the “Up North” experience.  


      Ladies, come to the Northwoods for our women's ultimate "Up North" experience. The setting of our adventures is scenic Manitowish Waters in Vilas County, Wisconsin. This is a place known for beautiful nature, friendly communities, and outdoor recreation like canoeing, hiking, biking, and fishing.  


       The Wisconsin Fall Colors Northwoods Women's Adventure combines a variety of unique outdoor adventures & local experiences led by resident experts including North Lakeland Discovery Center Naturalists, local scientists, business owners, and author John Bates.   


      Highlights!

       

      Northwoods Outdoor Adventures!


      - Explore by pontoon and canoe the pristine Turtle Flambeau Flowage while in the company of loons, ospreys, and bald eagles.

      -Paddle your canoe down Bear River to learn about how the changing river affects local wildlife.

      -Stretch your legs on two guided hikes that will help you learn about how glaciers influenced Vilas County's ecological communities and topography.

      -Relax on a historical tour by pontoon between Spider Lake and Island Lakes. A member of the Historical Society will show photos and tells stories about significant sites connected to pioneers, Native Americans, and even the mobs of Chicago!

      -Bike with a naturalist from Manitowish Waters to Boulder Junction, winding through various habitats with plenty of stops to talk about local flora and fauna.

      -Head to big water! Explore Lake Superior's shoreline and hike to a few nearby waterfalls.


      Local Experiences:

      -Visit a commercial cranberry farm to learn about one of Wisconsin's native fruits. 

      -Learn canning basics and make cranberry relish to take home.

      -Become bat aware. Learn about bat research and conservation projects and make your own bat roost.

      -Try weaving. Make a Cattail place mat with natural materials and learn about the ecological importance of Cattails.



      Meals

      Meals will catered by a local company with emphasis on locally sourced, farm-to-table ingredients.  Breakfasts and dinners will take place at the Discovery Center. Lunches will be sacked lunches with the exception of one afternoon out.

      Getting There

      By car:

      Address: 

      North Lakeland Discovery Center

       14006 Discovery Lane • Manitowish Waters, WI 

      North Lakeland Discovery Center is about 6 hours north of Chicago. 


      By plane:

      These airports are within 1-1.5 hours by car of Manitowish Waters:

      Ironwood, MI (IWD)  - 40 minutes

      Rhinelander, WI (RHI) - 1 hour

      Central Wisconsin (Wausau) (CWA) -1..5 hours

      Chicago, IL (ORD) 5.5 hours


      Note:

      Once I know how many people plan to fly in, then I will help coordinate transportation. You may have to rent a car. 



      How difficult in this trip?

      All activities are taught at the beginner level and will be tailored to the group. Participants should know their limits and be comfortable communicating them. Hikes are easy to moderate and are unpaved. Expect uneven terrain and gradual inclines.  Participants should be able to walk unassisted carrying a light backpack.


      The bike ride from Manitowish Waters to Boulder Junction is 16 miles on paved path that is mostly flat. Participants have the option to try electric assist bikes to give them an extra boost without the effort.

      Lodging

      Our home base for the week is North Lakeland Discovery Center on the shores of Statehouse Lake. The property is a serene lake setting perfect for an early morning cast from the boat dock, or nature walk on 12 miles of hiking trails including a self-guided birding adventure.  From our base, we will venture out each day to explore the surrounding area's natural wonders including a trip up the shores of Lake Superior. 


      Sleeping accommodations:

      2 Bunkhouse Suites each sleeps 4 persons (Muskellunge and Mallard Cabins)

      The bunkhouse suites have two bedrooms connected by a small living area. The bedrooms each have two twin beds which are converted bunk beds and also have cubbies for storage. Each bed will be on the ground, not stacked. The two bunkhouse suites are connected by two shared bathrooms (one with walk in shower) and a full kitchen.  There are two toilets and one shower for 6 people AS well as access to bathhouse on the property.


      2 Standard Bunkhouses: (Canvasback and Redhead Cabins)

      The standard bunkhouses have large rooms with a private bathroom that connects to the other cabins bathroom (could open up the door to share the space or keep it closed to remain private.  One bathroom has two toilets and a walk in shower.  The other bathroom is ADA accessible with one toilet and large walk in shower.  There will be two-three persons per room, each with a bottom bunk. No stacked beds. There will be more beds in a room than people to a room and also include cubbies for storage.


      Bedding:

      Cabins are heated, but it can get cool at night. Sheets, pillow and pillowcases are provided. Bring your own blanket or sleeping bag.

      Bathhouse


      The community bathhouse has 5 stall toilets and a shower area.  Individual showers are separated by curtains 


      Property Features:

      Bunkhouses

      Main Lodge with commercial kitchen and large meeting space

      Small, Wilderness Lake Access

      12 miles of Hiking Trails

      Gardens to Explore

      Nature Nook with exhibits and live educational animals 

      What’s included

      • Most meals
        6 dinners, 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches
      • Lodging
        6 nights in double occupancy rooms.
      • All schedule activities
      • Local transportation
      • Equipment Rental

      What’s not included

      • Airfare
        Participants will arrange their own transportation to North Lakeland Discovery Center
      • Gratuities
        approximately $100-150.
      • 1 Lunch
      • Sleeping bag/blanket
        For dorms. Sheets, pillow, and pillowcase are included.

      Available Packages

      Trip Price
      $1,495
      Deposit: $450

      Available options

      Itinerary

      Day 1
      Welcome to the Northwoods

      Participants arrive at the North Lakeland Discovery Center by 3pm.


      Dinner at the North Lakeland Discovery Center


      Evening Program: Canoe lessons and evening paddle. Participants will learn beginner strokes and techniques of canoeing before a nice evening paddle on a small Northwoods lake.  

      Your Organizer


      GE
      Green Edventures Ecotours & Expeditions
      170 reviews
      Fun, active, and educational nature-based group eco-adventures for people to connect with wild places and animals in extraordinary environments. Specializing in women's adventure travel groups, and teacher-led student groups. Inquire about custom and co-ed trips.

      Reviews

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      I’ve been on multiple trips with GE and this one was something special! If you are looking for mindfulness and magic with the backdrop of stunning Iceland, put this one your list! In addition to snowshoeing, and exploring towns and beaches, with the support of Tara and our fabulous local guide, Inga, we were even able to take a swim in the Artic ocean!
      By Allison D for Iceland 2024: Hot Springs & Mindfulness Retreat on Mar 26, 2024
      This was an amazing trip! I could not have known how much I needed the mindfulness, spas, and relaxation! This retreat was the most amazing thing and so needed!!! Thank you Tara Short and Green Edventures!!!
      By Anne R for Iceland 2024: Hot Springs & Mindfulness Retreat on Mar 26, 2024
      The Baja trip was amazing in every aspect! The guides impressed me with their dept of knowledge, attention to detail, and kindness. Snorkeling with sea lions and whale sharks is an experience I will never forget. My co-adventurers were enthusiastic and I made some life longfriends. I will sign up for this trip again!
      By Lori P for Baja 2024 (A): Women's Snorkeling Adventure + Gray Whales Tour on Mar 12, 2024
      SC
      This trip was packed with activities that were fun, exciting and educational. The active parts of this trip were phenomenal. Snorkeling with complete instruction started in shallow water and progressed towards deeper and more challenging environments. Tara, Michelle and Chabelo made sure that everyone felt comfortable and ready for the more challenging snorkel adventures. It progressed at each individual's pace without rushing. As a newer, less experienced snorkeler I appreciated the attention and non rushed approach. We progressed from beach snorkeling, to off the boat around rocks and coral reefs to swimming with sea lions and whale sharks! There were also land excursions which I loved, especially through the desert learning about all the different cacti and the importance of the mangrove. The local support team were so great. Kind, compassionate and extremely involved in their love of their home. We camped on the beach in tents with cots which was very comfortable. Food was fantastic, locally sourced and cooked with love by a resident. Tara made this trip special for each person. Checking in, making sure we were doing ok, making us laugh with all of her stories. She is humble and down to earth and loves this area with all of its wonders. She had an amazing rapport with the local staff, obviously feels they are part of her family. She wants everyone to succeed. I had problems on one snorkel and after recovering, she guided me to a successful and unforgettable experience, never with reluctance or pity, but with strength and support. Thank you Tara! I would add that the planning is wonderful and all parts of the trip were communicated clearly. Questions answered and expectations were always communicated. Love this company and I look forward to my next trip with Green Edventures.
      By Susan C for Baja 2024 (A): Women's Snorkeling Adventure + Gray Whales Tour on Mar 11, 2024
      I'm gladly giving this trip five stars. Landing in San Jose very late due to travel delays was not fun, but our tour guide Kelly met us at the hotel to give us the next days itinerary and advised us how to dress and pack. Very much appreciated. Going forward, each day was jam packed with interesting activities and our naturalist/guide Pepé was exceptional giving us wonderful information about the animals, plants and surroundings. Off-the-beaten path is a truly apt description of this trip. We explored wonderful areas of Costa Rica that an average tourist wouldn't even know existed. I can't finish my review without commenting on the wonderful women that were on this trip. Each and everyone of them brought something special to each day. And another shout out to Kelly, our group leader and Pepé our naturalist. They helped make this wonderful experience something so very special.
      By Dolores H for Costa Rica 2024 (B): Women's Adventure Wild & Off-The-Beaten Path on Feb 14, 2024
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      References

      I went on an amazing trip with Tara to Baja, Mexico in 2020. This was a dream trip for me being a wildlife lover. It was incredible to be able to swim with whale sharks and sea lions and get up close with gray whales. Camping on the beach was amazing. We had a great group of women and everyone vibed well and all of the tour guides including Tara, Alex and Chabello were so fun, friendly and helpful every step of the way. The food was great at the campsite and at the restaurants we got to try. When our trip plans initially got derailed waiting on a negative Covid test and we had to get a different flight, Tara did everything in her power to accommodate us and make sure we got to enjoy every part of the trip, including setting us up with another whale shark swimming tour after we had missed the initial one with the group, and she spent time waiting for us to finish before leaving for the airport. I definitely recommend Green Edventures, especially the Baja Mexico trip!
      By Katie M on 14 Feb, 2022
      I just returned from the Wisconsin Women's Tour and couldn't have asked for a better trip! For me, the amount and type of activity were perfect. Who know there was so much to discover practically in my own backyard?
      By Cynthia Casey W on 22 Oct, 2020