Visit Pickerel: Pickleball, Northwoods Flavors and a Night Beneath the Pines (posted August 14, 2026)

Small in size but rich in Northwoods charm, Pickerel invites visitors to slow down, explore and stay awhile. Located along Highway 55 in northeastern Langlade County, this welcoming unincorporated community is an ideal destination for a scenic day trip, relaxing weekend getaway, or extended outdoor adventure.

Begin your visit to Pickerel with a friendly game of pickleball, move into a hearty lunch near the golf course, and continue with ice cream and local shopping before the road leads deeper into the woods. By evening, you can settle into a campsite surrounded by tall pines, quiet lakes, and miles of recreational opportunities.

That mix is what makes exploring Langlade County so rewarding. Here in the County of Trails, a memorable getaway does not need a complicated schedule. Sometimes it is as simple as finding a place to play, choosing something good to eat, browsing a local shop, and ending the day beside a campfire. Here is one way to experience Pickerel at an easy Wisconsin Northwoods pace. 

Start the Day with a Pickleball Match in Pickerel

Begin your visit with a few rounds at Pickerel’s Community Pickleball Courts. Built through fundraising efforts led by the Pearson-Pickerel Lions Club, the two courts provide a convenient place for residents and visitors to enjoy one of the country’s fastest-growing recreational activities.

The two dedicated, fenced-in courts are located between the Pickerel Laundromat and the driving range at Quig’s Maplewood Golf Course, making them easy to access from Highway 55. Bring your paddles, lace up your court shoes, and enjoy a relaxed morning game before the day begins to warm up.

Traveling without a group does not necessarily mean you have to sit out. Visitors can use Play Time Scheduler and search the Pickerel area to find scheduled games and connect with other players. It is a useful option for anyone hoping to meet local players or add a little friendly competition to a Northwoods getaway.

Pickleball also fits naturally into the pace of a day in Pickerel. You can play for an hour, take a break when you are ready and still have plenty of time for lunch, shopping and outdoor exploration. For families or groups with different interests, the neighboring golf course and driving range offer another way to spend time outdoors while remaining close to the center of the community. 

Refuel with Northwoods Favorites at Red’s

After working up an appetite on the court, head to Red’s Country Bar & Grill. Located along Highway 55 a short distance from Quig’s Maplewood Golf Course 0.1 miles), Red’s is a classic Northwoods gathering place where the menu is broad, the atmosphere is casual, and no one needs to dress up.

The selection moves comfortably between familiar Wisconsin favorites and dishes you may not expect to find under one roof. Depending on your appetite, lunch might mean ribs, wings, a fish fry, or something from the Chinese menu. Breakfast foods are also available, which is good news for travelers who believe pancakes and eggs should never be limited to the morning.

Its location makes Red’s an especially convenient stop for anyone building a day around recreation. Pickleball players can walk in ready for a substantial meal, while golfers can stop before or after spending time at Quig’s Maplewood Golf Course. Even when golf is not part of your itinerary, the restaurant’s setting near the course adds to the relaxed, outdoors-oriented character of Pickerel.

Take your time over lunch. A Pickerel getaway works best when it is not rushed, and the afternoon’s next stop is only a short drive away.

Browse Local Finds and Choose a Scoop at Pike 55

A visit to Pickerel is complete without stopping at Pike 55. Located in the heart of the community, this cheerful local shop is the place to look for a souvenir, find a gift for someone back home, or satisfy an afternoon sweet tooth.

Inside, visitors will find home decor, distinctive gifts, candy, and other items that invite a closer look. Rather than rushing through, give yourself time to browse. Small shops like Pike 55 often hold the kinds of finds that make a trip feel personal: something decorative for the cabin, a treat for the drive, or a reminder of your time in northern Wisconsin.

The ice cream counter may be the hardest part to pass up. Pike 55 serves 12 flavors from Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, giving you plenty of choices whether you prefer something rich and chocolatey or a lighter, fruit-forward scoop. On a warm summer afternoon, an ice cream cone is an easy excuse to pause before continuing toward the lakes and forests beyond town.

This stop also captures an important part of the Play. Dine. Stay. Shop. experience. Outdoor recreation may bring you to Pickerel, but local businesses add flavor and personality to the trip. A meal at Red’s Country Bar & Grill and a visit to Pike 55 help turn a collection of activities into a day that feels rooted in the community. 

Settle In Among the Pines at Perch Lake

With lunch enjoyed and ice cream finished, follow the road toward Perch Lake Campground in the Charles de Langlade Memorial Recreation Area near Post Lake. The campground sits within approximately 600 acres of county-owned forest surrounding undeveloped Perch and Aninnan lakes, where tall pines, mature oaks, natural shorelines, and wetland areas create a peaceful Northwoods setting.

The campground offers 57 electrified campsites varying from a group site, a double site, back-in sites, tent sites, drive-through sites, and lake sites! Campers have access to drinking water, showers, flush and vault restrooms, a dump station, recycling facilities, and freshwater filling. A sandy beach, two boat landings, and more than two miles of hiking trails provide plenty to do without leaving the recreation area. Keep an eye on the water and shoreline, where Trumpeter Swans and other wildlife may appear.

Perch Lake Campground also makes a convenient base for fishing, paddling, and ATV/UTV adventures. Approved road routes connect campers with Langlade County’s larger ATV/UTV trail network, while Upper and Lower Post Lake and the Wolf River are only a few miles away. By evening, you can cook dinner over the fire, plan tomorrow’s trail route, and let the sound of the forest close out your day. 

Plan Your Pickerel Getaway

Pickerel offers the kind of getaway that reminds you how much can fit into one unhurried day. You can meet new players on the pickleball court, enjoy a satisfying meal beside the golf course, shop for a local find, choose an ice cream flavor, and finish the evening surrounded by forest at Perch Lake Campground.

There is room to adjust the itinerary to suit your own pace. Add a round of golf, spend more time browsing in town, bring fishing gear for the lakes, or extend the trip with a morning hike or ATV/UTV ride. However you arrange the day, Pickerel gives you an inviting place to experience the Play. Dine. Shop. Stay. spirit of the County of Trails.

Gather your paddles, pack your camping gear, and start planning your day in Pickerel and Langlade County, Wisconsin!

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