Long Lake in Fall and Winter

Most people think of a northern Wisconsin resort as a July place. The Pioneer on Long Lake is open all year round, and the resort's own description of the four seasons makes the case for visiting outside the summer rush. Spring is for the first warm days and watching the world green up. Summer is full of activities on and off the lake. Fall means endless miles of beautiful colors as the leaves change. Winter means snow sports, ice fishing and so much more.

Why fall is worth planning around

The fall pitch is simple: take in endless miles of color as the leaves change. Long Lake has 99 miles of shoreline, and a lake with that much edge gives the color somewhere to show up, reflected in the water and spread out along the banks. A drive around the area in the right week is a reason by itself to book a cabin. The island cabin, with its rocking chairs and deck above blue water, is a good example of the season at its best.

The island cabin is available from Memorial Day to mid-October, so early fall is the last stretch to book it. It sleeps 12 or more with 10 beds, two bedrooms plus a bunkhouse, a charming kitchen and a huge deck, and the rental is Friday to Friday. Check the current rate and dates by phone, since pricing and availability are subject to change. A fall weekend with a group of friends and a big deck is the kind of trip that people end up repeating every year.

How the off-season booking works

From Labor Day to Memorial Day, the weekly Saturday-to-Saturday rule gives way to a two night minimum for the on-site cottages. That opens the door to the weekend trip that summer doesn't allow. Pick a Friday, leave work early, and arrive in time for dinner. The cottages come with bedding and linens, a fully equipped kitchen, cable TV and a Weber grill, and the resort now offers AC and WiFi. Bring your own towels, and bring a bigger jacket than you'd pack for August.

Pets are welcome, with a fee, which makes a fall weekend with the dog a realistic plan. Pricing and availability are subject to change, so call (715) 354-3500 to confirm what's open for your dates.

Winter on the lake

In winter, the lake becomes a different place. The resort lists snow sports, ice fishing and more, and its lake page makes a pointed suggestion: if you've never tried ice fishing, The Pioneer is the place to start.

Photos from the resort show snow-covered cabins and snowmobile tracks, which tells you what a winter weekend looks like here: cold, quiet and active in a very different way. Winter planning has more to think through than summer does, and some of it isn't a matter for a blog post. Ice conditions, trail conditions and local rules change from week to week and should come from current local sources, not from an article. Call the resort and ask what people are doing right now.

The warmest room on the property

One thing that doesn't change with the season is the bar and grill. It's open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily according to its Google listing, and the menu works in cold weather: house smoked wings, burgers hand pattied with Certified Hereford Beef, homemade pizza and a Prime Rib Sandwich, slow roasted in house and served with au jus. The Fall Salad, with Granny Smith apple, craisins, bacon, blue cheese and candied pecans, is a seasonal fit. The room itself has timber beams and windows that look out at the lake.

After a day outside, nothing beats a hot meal you didn't cook. Walk in, thaw out and order a basket of wings.

Getting here

The Pioneer is on County Highway M in Sarona, in northwestern Wisconsin, about two hours from the Twin Cities. That makes it close enough for a winter weekend without a marathon drive. Guests also come from elsewhere in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and beyond. Check road and weather conditions before you leave, especially in winter, and give yourself extra time.

For supplies, the area has the towns you'd expect. The resort points guests to Rice Lake, Birchwood, Spooner, Hayward and Shell Lake for supermarkets, department stores and other conveniences. Stop on the way in so you aren't running errands on the first night of your trip. Golfers will note that there are several courses in the area, one right on Long Lake, though that's more of a spring and summer story.

Whichever season you pick, the plan is the same: choose a cabin, confirm your dates by phone at (715) 354-3500 and pack for the weather. The lake doesn't take the winter off, and neither does the Pioneer.