Family Getaway – 2 days, 3 nights
January 24, 2024
The Musky Capital of the World® is a great getaway destination for families with children. Boulder Junction offers a long list of opportunities for spending quality time together. It’s also the ideal place to give children a sense of the beauty of nature and the fun that can be had in the outdoors.
A Boulder Junction family getaway can be quite affordable. A three-day, two night stay in Boulder Junction would run between $250 and $400 for a family of four. A great selection of resorts, cottages, cabins, vacation homes and campgrounds gives families a long list of different lodging options. And with so many family-friendly activities located in the area, you won’t spend your whole vacation driving.
Here’s what a three-day, two night family getaway in Boulder Junction might look like.
Day 1 – Arrive in Boulder Junction
3pm – Stop at the Boulder Junction Chamber of Commerce. Pick up maps, community information, and useful advice on family-friendly activities, attractions and trails. Knowledgeable staff can give you some great suggestions on everything from places to go horseback riding to the best place to get ice cream cones.
4pm – Check into your motel, cabin, resort, campground or vacation home.
5pm – Dinner in Boulder Junction. The small-town atmosphere and family-friendly restaurants make it easy to find a place to dine in Boulder Junction.
6pm – Boat Ride. Take a boat ride on one of 194 area lakes. Several businesses rent boats and many cabins and resorts offer boats for guests to use.
8pm – Check out the sunset before you head off to bed. Nothing beats watching the sun go down over a Northwoods lake. Boulder Junction has 194 lakes to choose from for observing this daily light show. Evening is also a great time to see wildlife Northwoods animals are most active around sunset. Tell the kids to keep their eyes out for “Ghost Deer”—Boulder Junction is home to a number of albino deer.
Day 2 – Bike to the beach!
8am – Grab breakfast.
9am – Bicycle ride to Crystal Lake and back. For families with small children looking for an easy and interesting bicycle excursion that the whole family can enjoy, you can’t beat Boulder Junction’s Crystal Lake Trail. The ride starts at the Chamber office in downtown Boulder Junction runs along a paved bicycle trail all the way to Crystal Lake, where you’ll find sandy beaches — perfect for a refreshing dip before heading back to Boulder Junction.
Other family-friendly trail options:
Shorter bicycle ride: If the 11-mile trail to Crystal Lake seems too long for your family, turning around at North Trout Lake Campground or South Trout Lake Campground provide good rides as well.
Longer bicycle ride: For families that want a longer bicycling adventure, Boulder Junction’s trails link to the Plum Lake Trail and continues all the way to the St. Germain Hike & Bike Trail—in total, a 23-mile countywide trail system.
Or take a hike: The North Trout Nature Trail, located just four miles south of Boulder Junction on Hwy M, offers a one-mile trail loop through a beautiful forest of tamarack and spruce. It’s just the right distance for a family hike.
Noon – Lunch
1pm – Horseback riding. Boulder Junction is a great area for horseback riding. For more information on horseback riding opportunities in the area, contact the Boulder Junction Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-GO-MUSKY.
3:30pm – Ice cream in downtown Boulder Junction. There’s no better way to top off a day of biking, hiking or horseback riding the trails than an ice cream cone.
4pm – Shopping. Explore Boulder Junction’s unique shops. You’ll find interesting art, handmade crafts and unique souvenirs.
6pm – Grill out for dinner. Stop by the local grocery story and pick up hot dogs and hamburgers to grill out over the campfire. Don’t forget the marshmallows!
7pm – Campfire and stargazing. Stay and enjoy stories around the campfire. For kids from cities and suburbs, the incredible number of stars that can be seen above Boulder Junction can be quite awe-inspiring. Keep the kids up late for at least one night on your trip to witness this dazzling display of celestial beauty. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Day 3 – Head home
9am – Sleep in late. Enjoy a late breakfast before heading home.
See you again in Boulder Junction!