Black's Cliff Resort in Northern Wisconsin near Minocqua
An opportunity for enjoying the view — one of the cedar swinging chairs found at Black's Cliff Resort.
Dogs are welcome at Black's Cliff Resort. Please make sure to read our pet policy.
The famous Black's Cliff Resort SWINGING BEDS are great for peaceful napping during the day and delightful sleeping at night. One is located in each cabin's screened-in porch.
Black's Cliff Resort is a member of the
Minocqua Area Resorts Association
Black's Cliff Guide To
Northern Wisconsin and
Minocqua Area Recreation
Swimming, Boating and Play
Black's Cliff offers a great sandy beach for swimming fun, with docks for lounging and a raft that provides endless summer amusement. For boating fun, we offer rowboats (and motor rentals), paddleboats, canoes and kayaks. Or, enjoy a leisurely sunset cruise around the lake on one of our pontoons.
The resort also has a wonderful tree house, as well as a large playground complete with swings, a slide, a sandbox and chinning bars. Our outdoor recreation area also provides basketball, tetherball, a horseshoe pit and a sand volleyball court.
Hiking and Biking
Hikers, bikers and birders can find plenty of well-worn paths and groomed trails near Black’s Cliff. Take our on-site trail to see an undisturbed bog, or hike down the road to see Kitty Springs. On your way back, stop by Hilltop Resort’s Rathskeller for the best on-tap root beer float in the Northwoods.
To get to the 18-mile Bearskin State Trail, travel just a few minutes from the resort down Lower Kaubashine Road, or take our more adventurous woodland detour. Go north through thick hardwood and pine forests, near lakes and over scenic trestle bridges to downtown Minocqua.
Stop for ice cream at Dairy Queen, located near the trailhead in downtown Minocqua, or at Charlie’s Fine Cheese as you return to Hazelhurst. Or, stop for a truly guilt-free smoothie or Banana Nirvana halfway between, by taking a detour down Blue Lake Road to LifeSpring Coffee Shop. You may also choose to pack lunch, as the trail offers several scenic picnic spots that overlook local lakes.
If you take the trail south, the Bearskin follows the winding course of the Bearskin Creek, which is home to our native brook trout species. The 1888 train shack is an interesting place to stop, the last remaining train building standing on this old railway bed. If you continue south, the Bearskin meets up with the six-mile Hiawatha trail, which leads to Tomahawk.
Located just five minutes from the resort off of Hwy. 51, the Schlect Lake Trail’s natural grassy knolls wind through the woods, offering great views of Lake Tomahawk. For shorter hikes, this 10-kilometer trail has lots of signs that lead back to the parking lot.
Both the Raven and Madeline Lake Trails are located 10 minutes northeast of the resort. The Madeline offers four marked trails with differing scenery and terrain that follow old logging trails and wind around three lakes. The Raven is comprised of three loops that traverse rugged hills and wild woodlands near three lakes. For bikers, numerous single track trails wind through diversified and cheelenging terrain. The nature loop has interpretive signs and plenty of benches to sit on to contemplate the old stands of pine and hemlock. This trail also offers a plank bridge that crosses a bog, making it easy for youngsters to get close-up views of pitcher plants and other native flora.
Located just 12 minutes southeast of the resort, the quiet seven-mile McNaughton Lake Trail is an excellent place for those who want to get away from it all. A boardwalk sets up a great view of McNaughton Lake. Along the way, you'll also pass through tall sands of hemlock and pine. A shelter at the south end of Helen Lake makes a nice stop for lunch.
The 11-mile, blacktop-paved Crystal Lake Trail runs from downtown Boulder Junction, along Cty. M, past Trout Lake, ending at Crystal Lake in Sayner. Because of the level paved terrain, this trail is a must for families with children who are looking to enjoy the woods, with lots to see and places to stop along the way. This trail is located 15 minutes from the resort, north of Woodruff.
All children coming to Black's Cliff are encouraged to bring their bikes. Kids love to just bike safely around the resort, enjoying a little freedom.
If bringing your bikes along is a problem, call BJ’s Sports at (715) 356-3900 for information about bike rentals. If you plan to bike or hike a state trail, don’t forget to purchase a state trail pass.
Fishing
Fishing on spring-fed, 200-acre Lower Kaubashine yields a wide variety of fish, including walleye, musky, northern pike and pan fish. Spring crappie and bass fishing are the Gibson family’s favorites. Although working at the resort leaves little time to fish, Troy and Jenny can direct you to where they have heard others are having luck. Stopping into Hilltop’s Rathskellar is also a great way to pick up on what is biting and where.
Other good spots for anglers within ten miles of the resort are the Willow and Rainbow Flowages, Lake Minocqua and Lake Katherine. In addition, the Northwoods is home to literally thousands of lakes and hundreds of streams and rivers, making it one of the top Midwest fishing destinations.
For a guided fishing experience, consider contacting Barry Klatt, a local Musky guru who lives on Lower Kaubashine. Klatt owns BK Guide Service and specializes in a variety of area lakes, as well.
Or, if you are interested in exploring the secrets of a Northwoods walleye, consider Hazelhurst guide Greg Bohn.
A free fishing boat is provided with each cottage, and motors may be rented by the day or week. If you would like to bring your own boat, you are welcome to do so. All boats are launched at Hilltop Resort just down the road for a $5 fee. We have plenty of extra docking at the resort.
For live bait and the world’s largest selection of musky and Northern pike tackle, stop by Rollie and Helen’s on your way to the resort.
For more information about area fishing, visit Kurt’s Island Sports fishing reports. And, don’t forget to purchase a Wisconsin fishing license before embarking on your Northwoods adventure.
Springtime Musky Spawn
If you are visiting Black’s Cliff in spring, consider taking a drive to Cedar Falls for the spawning of the musky. A favorite springtime activity for the Gibson family is walking along the falls to watch the musky fight their way up-river. How they make it, nobody knows.
The falls are also near the 6,330-acre Willow Flowage, where walleye are especially plentiful. The beauty, solitude and abundant wildlife of the flowage also draws visitors who want a quiet spot to fish, walk, boat, or just to think. .
Geocaching
Geocaching is a world-wide outdoor treasure hunting game, using a hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to hide and seek small waterproof containers that hold logbooks and small trinkets.
The new Great Northwoods Treasure Hunt is available for both experienced geocachers and those brand new to the sport. Organizers of the hunt have recently created 18 new area caches and have organized fun geocaching contests. Visit the treasure hunt’s web site to find out more about the hunt, or to download a CacheCard to help you track your finds.
Since finding out about geocaching from Grace, an avid hiker who works on the Black’s Cliff summer cleaning crew, the Gibson family has embarked on many area treasure-hunting adventures.
The Kaubashine Cache is closest to the resort and can be reached by paddling your way across the lake to The Pointe to discover the old foundation of a lake home. This is where some members of the Black family go when they want a quiet place to swim. It is also the scenic spot where Craig and Lynette Black were married. The top of the hill offers a nice view of Lake Kaubashine. Sign the cache log book while you enjoy the view.
An easy cache is located just five minutes away in “downtown” Hazelhurst, near Lake Katherine. Called The End of the Road, this hunt was created by a fellow geocacher from California in memory of his grandfather, who lived on the lake more than 30 years. You can easily drive-up to this cache to sign the log book.
One of the Gibson’s favorite geocaching adventures led them to uncover the history of the infamous Goat Lady. Selma Wikkins moved to nearby Cashin as a squatter in the 1930s, living first in a shack. When her shack and Model-T burned, she lived under a small bridge with her 20 goats, with tarps at each side of the bridge for protection. She then built a small shelter out of corrugated tin and paper. This cache is quite an adventure and travels back to a cedar swamp that is guaranteed to give some visitors the creeps as they look for the cache among the leftover remains of Selma's homestead.
Another historic geocache took the family to ruins located on a peninsula of Big Arbor Vitae Lake. The peninsula was once home to several vacation cottages. The cottage owners leased the land from the state. When the state refused to renew their leases, they were forced off the peninsula, moving the structures across the lake in winter when the ice was frozen. Cement foundations and the rock stairway going down to the lake are all that remain. The walk to the peninsula is beautiful. As you search among the ruins for the cache, you may feel like folks from the past are watching over your shoulder.
To search for more area geocaching sites, visit Geocaching.com.
Birdwatching in Northern Wisconsin
Led by resident bird expert Troy, the resort is hospitable to many bird species. Feeders located throughout the grounds attract hummingbirds in the summer, and chickadees, nuthatches, and even big pileated woodpeckers, in winter. Also, Lower Kaubashine is home to a pair of loons and their babies. Jake, Ben and Grant are becoming experts at imitating loon calls, taking after Jenny, who won the Mercer loon calling contest many times.
Another great birding spot is the Rainbow Flowage, an official Wisconsin Important Bird Site. This 5,000-acre habitat is home to Merlins, spruce grouse, black-backed woodpeckers, gray jays, boreal chickadees, olive-sided flycatchers, yellow-bellied flycatchers, palm warblers, Canada warblers, Northern waterthrush and evening grosbeak. Bald eagles and osprey nest around the flowage; waterfowl congregate during migration; and shorebirds congregate in the fall, when flowage drawdowns expose mudflats.
The Powell Marsh Wildlife Area covers 4,300 acres, with a 1,800-acre refuge located in the middle of the property. Common bird species include great blue herons, songbirds, marsh hawks, eagles, sandhill cranes, Northern harriers, LeConte's sparrows, short-eared owls, Nelson's sharp tailed sparrows, sharp tailed grouse, Henslow's sparrows and Black Terns.
The North Lakeland Discovery Center is also a featured site along the Great Wisconsin Birding & Nature Trail. Diverse populations of nesting and migrating songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl can be found along the center’s 25 kilometer trail system. In addition to self-guided tours, the center offers many bird-related learning programs.
Canoeing, Kayaking and Rafting on Northern Wisconsin's Pristine Waterways.
If a relaxed sunrise or sunset paddle on Lower Kaubashine is in order, we offer canoes, kayaks and paddleboats at Black’s Cliff.
For guided kayak or canoe trips down the beautiful Trout and Tomahawk rivers located near the resort, contact the Chequamegon Adventure Company. They also offer tours of the Wisconsin River, the Turtle Flambeau Flowage and the Apostle Islands. Equipment rentals and lessons are available, as well.
For larger groups, Hawk’s Nest Canoe Outfitters can equip your family with rafts for a one-to five-hour cruises down the Wisconsin River. They also provide canoe or kayak adventure day trips on the Turtle Flambeau Flowage.
Golfing
Our area’s numerous golf courses provide a challenge for all, from the novice to the experienced golfer. Choose from 9-and 18-hole layouts. Each course varies in yardage, design and difficulty, but all offer unmatched scenery.
Get a 20 percent discount at Timber Ridge, which is located just a few miles from the resort. Just ask Jenny for a pass. Other notable area courses include Trout Lake in Arbor Vitae, Pinewood in Harshaw and Northwood in Rhinelander. The Northwoods Golf Trail is offered by eight area courses that are located within 20 miles of each other.
Water Ski Show
Join the Min-Aqua Bats for a display of daring dos and graceful performances at the Aqua Bowl on Lake Minocqua every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, at 7 p.m., mid-June through mid-August. Originating in 1950, the Min-Aqua Bats are the oldest non-profit amateur water ski club in the nation, making them a Northwoods tradition. Be sure to catch the spectacular fireworks display after the ski show on the Fourth of July.
Entertainment
Minocqua's new Campanile Center for the Arts hosts a variety of live music and theatre performances in downtown Minocqua. You can also find live concerts in Minocqua's Torpy Park on warm summer Thursday evenings. Or, head south to Northern Lights Playhouse in Hazelhurst for a full summer schedule of theatre productions.