Activities within an hour
Watson’s Sand Beach Resort is located in an ideal spot in northwest Wisconsin with plenty of activities close by.
your adventure awaits
Lots to discover in this neck of the woods
Your adventure doesn’t have to end at the beach. Watson Sand Beach Resort is located in northeast Wisconsin in the town of Trego. There are many activities nearby to fill out your week here on the lake. Click the links below to find out more.
Paddle the Namekagon
Lovingly called “Wisconsin’s Moving National Park”, the Namekagon River travels one hundred miles through protected forested terrain. It features tight meandering turns and braided stretches with a rocky bottom. A favorite spot to grab your kayak, canoe, or tubes and float leisurely down the river.
100+ miles of ATV/UTV trails
Over 100 miles of scenic, well-maintained ATV trails make Washburn County a premier destination, with multiple loops linking to the Wild Rivers State Trail to create an ATV experience like no other. Right from the area, riders can hop on the Wild Rivers State Trail, which follows a former railroad corridor and crosses the Namekagon River in Trego—a federally designated river that’s part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
St. Croix Casino Danbury
When you’re ready to trade the lake breeze for a little excitement, several Northwoods casinos are within easy driving distance of the resort. St, Croix Casino is a great night out with slots ranging from penny machines to high-limit play, plus table games like blackjack, craps, and roulette, dining options, and live entertainment and outdoor concerts throughout the season.
Hayward
Hayward is one of the Northwoods’ most beloved destinations. Known as the “Musky Capital of the World,” Hayward is anchored by the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, where the kids can climb up and stand inside the mouth of a 143-foot-long, four-story fiberglass musky—an iconic Wisconsin photo op—then explore exhibits celebrating the region’s rich fishing heritage.
Spooner
Spooner is Washburn County’s largest community and home to one of the best small-town downtowns in Northwest Wisconsin. A stroll down Walnut Street feels like a treasure hunt, with locally owned boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, and one-of-a-kind finds tucked into historic buildings History buffs will love the Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum—the only museum in the country dedicated to the canoe—and the Railroad Memories Museum, a nod to Spooner’s roots as a major railroad hub.
Pattison state park
For a true Northwoods bucket-list day trip, make the drive north to Pattison State Park—home to the highest waterfall in Wisconsin and the fourth highest east of the Rocky Mountains. The thundering Big Manitou Falls drops an incredible 165 feet, while the gentler Little Manitou Falls tumbles 31 feet nearby, both accessible by scenic hiking trails and overlooks. This 1,400-acre park has something for everyone
Hiking trails
Some of the area’s best hiking starts right here in Trego. The local favorite is the Trego Nature Trail, an easy, well-loved out-and-back of about 2.7 miles that follows the Namekagon River through several forest habitats, with peaceful river views around nearly every bend. Maintained by the National Park Service as part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway