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    Public Recreation Area 19

    3.0 (1 review)

    Public Recreation Area 19 Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Public Recreation Area 19

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    17 years ago

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    Big Bear Rocky Vista

    Big Bear Rocky Vista

    5.0(3 reviews)
    58.4 mi

    The view was definitely worth the trip! Directions from the previous review are spot on. After you…read moreturn on Knowles Creek Rd from CTH F follow that until you see the lake on your right. Immediately after the lake you will see a little driveway on your left that leads to a campsite. After that you are looking for the 3rd road on the left(road number 2781. It is marked with a small vertical wooden sign that is somewhat hidden by weeds but pretty easy to spot). I'm not sure the exact distance, but it was a few minute drive past the campsite till you reach the 3rd road on the left. Take a left on road 2781 and follow it until you come to a fork in the road where road number 2349B splits off to the right(there is a large mud hole at the start of this trail). At this point you will need to abandon your vehicle and begin hiking. Hike down the road 2349B until you come to another fork in the roadway. When you reach this fork take the trail that goes up hill (this trail goes off to the left and has a few broken off trees at the start of it). From there its a short hike up hill until you reach one of the most beautiful views in the northwoods! The total hike round trip is right around 2 miles. Shoes that can get muddy and bug spray are also definitely a must for this hike! I made the driving portion of this trip in my all wheel drive BMW X1. It made the trip ok, however driving down road 2781 was a bit of a nail biter as there are some bigger stones in the roadway and a few larger mud holes that a 2 wheel drive vehicle may not have made it through. That being said road 2781 is definitely definitely more of an offload trail with 2 tire tracks that you drive on and no place to turn around until you get to the fork for road 2349B. I would recommend a 4 wheel drive truck or suv for this journey, or just parking on the side of Knowles Creek Rd and hiking from there. Doing this would only about another mile to the hike. Also you may be able to drive down road 2349B if you have a Wrangler or similar vehicle. I also recommend stopping at the lake you pass on Knowles Creek Rd and getting some beautiful pictures! There is a small campsite that you can turn off into if it isn't occupied and spend a little time taking in the beauty of the lake.

    YES. After many hours of searching to no end...on multiple days...we have finally discovered this…read moreproudly hidden gem, so titled The Big Rock. Hopefully this review will lead you right to the site and save you all the hours of endless exploration, but this is mostly serving as a note-to-self...to help me find this place in the future :-) Soooo starting from downtown Lakewood, WI: Head north on F until you hit Knowles Creek Rd, turn left. Continue on Knowles Creek until there comes a fork in the road. At the fork, follow Knowles Creek to the left and do NOT continue straight/right-ish onto McCaslin Tower Rd. Continue on Knowles Creek, where you should see a sort of lake on the right and then a campsite further down on the left. After these two "markers", look for the 2nd trail on the left with one of those mini-snowmobile stop signs. The correct trail should be numbered 2781. Follow this trail (in the car is still fine, but watch for huge puddles/deep mud) until you can literally drive no further. You should then see a sort of pathway at the end on the left that is somewhat upward sloping at first. At this point, abandon your vehicle and begin walking up the clearing (there is typically a puddle or mud of some sort at the start of this path). Walk for a bit (1/2 mile?) and keep your eyes out for an uphill path on the left side of where you are walking (in my experience, there has been a partially fallen tree trunk marking the base of this hill). Follow the path up this hillside to the top, at which point, you have reached The Big Rock! The total walking time is minimal and, round-trip, clocks in at around 2 miles. You'll know when you've reached your destination because the view is breathtaking! Now supposedly, this is a geocaching site (I have included the URL in my creation of this business listing), so there are instructions and coordinates on how to reach the place on that as well. In my two trips to The Big Rock, I have yet to discover where the cache is located...we searched for quite a while on both occasions and were unable to find the box. So good luck to all future enthusiasts with that endeavor; as for me, I'll be lounging on that huge rock over there enjoying the view :)

    Photos
    Big Bear Rocky Vista
    Big Bear Rocky Vista
    Big Bear Rocky Vista - Beautiful view.

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    Beautiful view.

    Thomas Rock Scenic Outlook - Driving up to Thomas Rock

    Thomas Rock Scenic Outlook

    4.7(3 reviews)
    48.4 mi

    Not even a half mile loop (0.4 mi to be exact), this outlook is extremely friendly to all skill…read morelevels and a perfect place to stretch your legs, get a grant vantage point overlooking the Big Bay/Marquette, and a must-visit for when the fall foliage is at its peak in this area! Follow the signs and begin the loop on the left. The trail winds through forest and there will be a slight incline for a bit, but will soon even out, and you're basically at the peak at that point. The overlook area is well maintained, but basically fully exposed to the elements as you emerge from the trees, with railing and additional steps up to the top of the literal rock where you will be above most trees and you get a great view overlooking the bay. There are picnic tables at the top, so it's also a great place to have a little lunch or snack on a good day. Once you're ready to head down, continue to follow the path you took and the trail will soon begin its decline and before you know it, you're back in the parking lot where you started. There are cute little informational posts placed throughout the trail for you to read up on the wildlife and flora/fauna located on the trail. Total elevation gain on this trail is 50 feet, which I believe includes the steps up to the top of the rock, which is optional, but highly encouraged for the views.

    The trail is quick (I jogged the full loop while stopping for photos and viewing in about 10…read moreminutes without shortcuts). There is a decent lookout, it reminded me of the mountain pass view by Copper Harbor, and if you run to the top of the stairs you will find a picnic table atop what I assume is Thomas' rock. There are some short, but sturdy, bridges and lots of flipping info signs all over the trail along with many chipmunks. I assume there are no bears there because the trash cans were all open tops. Yellow Dog falls are nearby also, but be prepared for an hour of dirt roads if you do that one.

    Photos
    Thomas Rock Scenic Outlook - View from thomas Rock Scenic Overlook

    View from thomas Rock Scenic Overlook

    Thomas Rock Scenic Outlook - Thomas Rock Scenic Overlook

    Thomas Rock Scenic Overlook

    Thomas Rock Scenic Outlook - Thomas Rock Scenic Overlook

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    Thomas Rock Scenic Overlook

    Public Recreation Area 19 - hiking - Updated May 2026

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