Washburn district, Wisconsin, United States

Places to visit near Shell Lake

Shell Lake is a town in Washburn district, Wisconsin, United States, home to about 1,315 people. Within 50 km by road there are 60 places to visit — 31 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 19 churches, 3 wildlife, forests & gardens and 3 waterfalls. The must-see places are WCSW-AM (Shell Lake) (8 km), Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum (12 km) and Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (13 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Shell Lake on the map

Shell Lake, Wisconsin
Shell Lake, Washburn district, Wisconsin, United States. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Shell Lake at a glance

Location
Washburn district, Wisconsin, United States
Population
about 1,315
Coordinates
45.7394° N, 91.9254° W
Places within 50 km
60 (7 must-see)
Best time to visit
August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; November to March for sightings for wildlife, forests & gardens; year-round for churches

Top places to visit near Shell Lake

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Shell Lake: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Shell Lake, by type

Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Shell Lake

128 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Shell Lake. The closest is WCSW-AM (Shell Lake) (8 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Churches near Shell Lake

36 churches within 100 km of Shell Lake. The closest is Saint Joseph Catholic Church (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Shell Lake

22 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Shell Lake. The closest is Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (13 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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Waterfalls near Shell Lake

14 waterfalls within 100 km of Shell Lake. The closest is Clam Falls Flowage 65 (37 km). Best time: july to january, best august to november right after rains.

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Forts & heritage near Shell Lake

12 forts & heritage within 100 km of Shell Lake. The closest is Cadle Road (6 km). Best time: october to february.

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Rivers, islands & mangroves near Shell Lake

6 rivers, islands & mangroves within 100 km of Shell Lake. The closest is Garbutt Island (41 km). Best time: september to february.

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A one-day trip from Shell Lake

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 74 km on the road.

  1. Start in Shell Lake
  2. 23 km Little Dummy Lake · lake, Barron
  3. 13 km Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway · nature spot, Washburn
  4. 6 km WCSW-AM (Shell Lake) · lake, Washburn
  5. 8 km Saint Joseph Catholic Church · church, Washburn
  6. 12 km Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum · museum, Washburn
  7. 12 km Back to Shell Lake

Plan a longer trip from Shell Lake — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Shell Lake

No traveller has reported from around Shell Lake yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Shell Lake

    All places near Shell Lake by distance

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Shell Lake by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs31128WCSW-AM (Shell Lake) (8 km)
    Churches1936Saint Joseph Catholic Church (1 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens322Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (13 km)
    Waterfalls314Clam Falls Flowage 65 (37 km)
    Forts & heritage212Cadle Road (6 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves16Garbutt Island (41 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints05Grundy's Canyon (52 km)
    Parks05Brule River State Forest Annex (69 km)
    Museums14Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum (12 km)
    Beaches & coast04Tyner Lake (68 km)
    Other attractions03Sandrock Cliffs Trail (83 km)

    Shell Lake: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Shell Lake?

    WCSW-AM (Shell Lake) (lake, about 8 km), Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum (museum, about 12 km), Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (nature spot, about 13 km), Saint Joseph Catholic Church (church, about 1 km), Little Dummy Lake (lake, about 23 km), Cadle Road (heritage site, about 6 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Shell Lake?

    60 places on Spotwander: 31 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 19 churches, 3 wildlife, forests & gardens, 3 waterfalls, 2 forts & heritage.

    Which is the nearest lake to Shell Lake?

    WCSW-AM (Shell Lake), about 8 km by road; Bear Lake State Public Fishery Area (14 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest church to Shell Lake?

    Saint Joseph Catholic Church, about 1 km by road; Faith Lutheran Church (10 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest sanctuary to Shell Lake?

    Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway, about 13 km by road; Bean Brook State Wildlife Management Area (42 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Shell Lake?

    Start in Shell Lake, visit Little Dummy Lake, then Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway, then WCSW-AM (Shell Lake), then Saint Joseph Catholic Church, then Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum, and drive back — about 74 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Shell Lake?

    August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; November to March for sightings for wildlife, forests & gardens; year-round for churches.

    Towns near Shell Lake

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Shell Lake’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Shell Lake on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.