Couderay, WI

Tucked along the banks of the Couderay River in Sawyer County, Couderay is a tiny Northwoods village with fewer than a hundred residents. It grew out of the late-1800s timber boom, when loggers worked the surrounding pine forests and freight trains hauled lumber across northern Wisconsin. Today, the busy logging days are long gone, leaving behind a quiet, slow-paced community surrounded by miles of dense woods and wetlands.

ATTRCarol M. Highsmith / Public domain

The former rail corridor now serves as the Tuscobia State Trail, a 74-mile multi-use path running right past the village that draws ATV riders, snowmobilers, and hikers throughout the year. The area is packed with outdoor recreation, from quiet fishing spots along the river to the nearby waters of the Lac Courte Oreilles lakes and vast state wildlife lands. While groceries and everyday errands usually mean a quick drive to nearby hubs like Hayward or Radisson, Couderay appeals to anyone looking for genuine seclusion, open acreage, and a simple lifestyle deep in the Wisconsin woods.