If you love fall foliage, northern Wisconsin is the place to be. I’ve thought that for years, and it still holds up every October around Stone Lake and Hayward. The maples, oaks, and aspens put on a show that, in my opinion, is as good as it gets anywhere. You can still get out on the water this time of year. We have kayaks at all four cabins, plus fishing boats with trolling motors at Little Sand Lodge and Cattail Cabin. But fall is when I think the trails really steal the weekend. The air is cooler, the bugs are mostly gone, and the woods look better than they do at any other time of year.
Here are four scenic, pet-friendly things to do that make a simple, practical fall cabin weekend.
1. Time Your Stay for Color (and Quiet Water)
Late September is not quite prime for color in our area. The last couple of seasons, the real color has come later. The first two weeks of October are the window to aim for, with the second week of October as the bullseye. I took the photo attached below on October 16th last year. It's a view from the dock, looking back towards Little Sand Lodge.
As you can see, you don’t have to drive far to see it. Some of the best views are right from the private docks at Cattail Cabin, Cattail Chalet, Cattail Cottage, and Little Sand Lodge. Morning mist, gold in the trees, and a still shoreline are a pretty good start to the day.
If you want to get on the water, Little Sand Lodge and Cattail Cabin now have fishing boats with trolling motors. A quiet mid-week loop around the lake is one of the easiest ways to take in the shoreline color without leaving the property.
Right now we have mid-week dates open at Cattail Chalet, Cattail Cottage, and Little Sand Lodge during those first two weeks of October. Little Sand Lodge also still has the weekend of October 9–11 available, which is unusual for peak color.
2. Take an Easy Hike at Hunt Hill Nature Center
Hunt Hill Nature Center is close, low-key, and a good fit for a fall cabin weekend. The preserve has about seven miles of trails through woods, prairie, glacial lakes, and a bog. Trails range from short and easy (the Discovery Trail is only about a third of a mile) to a longer loop if you want more time in the trees. Pets are welcome on leash.
It’s a short drive from the cabins, and it gives you that “we actually got out into the woods” feeling without a big production. Pack water, keep dogs close on the narrower paths, and give yourself time to wander.
3. Drive the Stone Lake Color Tour
The Hayward Lakes area has six self-guided fall color tours. The one that makes the most sense from our cabins is Color Tour #6, the Stone Lake loop. It’s about 48 miles, includes some gravel, and runs through oak and maple woods past Sissabagama Lake.
It’s an easy half-day outing: start in Stone Lake, roll the windows down, stop for photos, and be back at the cabin in time for the fire pit. If you have extra time, the Hayward-area tours that head toward the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest are worth a look too.
4. Walk the Trego Nature Trail or Nordic Woods
For a second easy trail day, two spots we mention to guests are the Trego Nature Trail and Nordic Woods. Both are a short drive, both are good for a fall walk, and both keep the weekend feeling unhurried.
Trego Nature Trail follows the river corridor and is a nice change of scenery from the lakes. Nordic Woods is a straightforward woods walk when you want something simple. Neither requires a big hike plan — just decent shoes, a leash, and an hour or two.
A Simple Weekend Rhythm
If you like a loose plan, this works well:
- Friday evening: Arrive, walk the dock, light the fire.
- Saturday morning: Coffee on the water, then Hunt Hill or the Stone Lake color tour.
- Saturday afternoon: Back at the cabin, boat time if you’re at Little Sand Lodge or Cattail Cabin. Sauna time if you're at Cattail Chalet.
- Sunday: A shorter trail walk, then a slow checkout.
This photo below is what Cattail Chalet looks like from the road during peak color in 2025.
All four cabins are pet-friendly (up to two dogs, $150 fee), with private docks, fire pits, and plenty of room to spread out.
Check real-time availability at oconnellcabinco.com.
Pro Tip: If you can stay mid-week during the first two weeks of October, you’ll usually get the same color with fewer cars on the tour routes — and a better shot at feeling like the lake is yours for a few hours. Those mid-week dates at Cattail Chalet, Cattail Cottage, and Little Sand Lodge are the ones to look at first.