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David R. Obey Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center

Experience the David R. Obey Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center for an hour or an afternoon! Our one-of-a-kind four-season facility welcomes explorers of all ages. See us on your next family vacation to Lake Superior's South Shore!
 

  • Discover: our Regional visitor information services, interactive exhibits, five-story observation tower, boardwalk, and interpretive trails!
     
  • Experience: enchanting tales of Regional folklore, from Native American ghost stories, spirited songs of the voyageurs, to modern-day mysterious shipwrecks!
     
  • Learn: about giants on our historical frontier: women and men who explored, trapped, fished, logged, mined, and farmed this rugged country! Here is a list of our educational programs.
     
  • Enjoy: our amenities at your leisure! When the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center is open, hours are 9 - 5 Tuesday through Saturday. We're conveniently located along the South Shore of Lake Superior between Minnesota and Michigan on US Hwy 2. Passes are available for purchase from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Accessible from snowmobile trails!
     

There is always something happening at the David R. Obey Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center. Take a look at our schedule of upcoming events!

Reservations

General Information

9 - 5 Tuesday through Saturday.
Passes are available for purchase from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

Admission is free.
Registration fees may be required for hosted or sponsored programs.

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 46.5845

Longitude: -90.963386

Directions

Located on County Highway G just off US Highway 2, two miles west of Ashland, Wisconsin, in and west of the roundabout intersection of Highways 2 and 13.

Parking

Parking is free.

Facility and Amenity Information

Water

Potable water is available at this site.

Recreation Opportunities

Day Hikes Info

The David R. Obey Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center has two interpretive trails:

  • Aldo Leopold Land Stewardship Trail (1.2 miles)
  • Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center Boardwalk (0.7 miles)

Learn More

Last updated April 17th, 2025