We live on their land, so least what we can do is find out about their lives.
Did you know? Wisconsin’s tribal nations have their own tourism board, Native American Tourism of Wisconsin (NATOW), whose mission is to promote and encourage people to visit reservations.
Wisconsin is home to 11 federally recognized tribes. Not all of them have their own reservations, but those that do often have something that attracts guests – whether it’s a casino, a souvenir shop or a museum.
Here are 9 Wisconsin reservations open to visitors:
Bad River Range on Lake Superior Chippewa
The Bad River Band Reservation covers more than 125,000 acres on the southern shore of Lake Superior, 90% of which is wetlands. The Bad River Band welcomes guests to its casino and RV resort.
Tip: Don’t miss the carefully crafted, handmade items and manomina (wild rice) harvested in the area and sold at the Three Eagle gift shop.
Potawatomi County Forest
The Potawatomi have a deep-rooted history in Wisconsin, as some of the first hunters and traders in the region. Although their reservation lands are petite compared to other areas in Wisconsin, they are one of the best attractions for non-Native people to learn about Native history and culture.
Tip: In addition to the Potawatomi Carter Hotel and Casino in Wabeno, visit Potawatomi Forest County Cultural Center, Library and Museum in Crandon.
The Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
The Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation surrounds Lac Courte Oreilles, a lake in northwestern Wisconsin. The vast body of water near Hayward is perfect for boating and fishing. Owner of Lac Courte Landing Facility and set a record for the world’s largest musky (for the uninitiated, a freshwater fish that belongs to the pike family).
Tip: Bring your clubs and head to a nearby off-reservation trust property for a round or two Big Fish Golf Club18-hole championship course designed by Pete Dye.
The Lac du Flambeau Complex on Lake Superior Chippewa
The Lac du Flambeau Preserve encompasses over 86,000 acres of forest and 260 lakes, providing year-round recreation. Visitors can fish, water ski, boat, snowmobile and/or cross country ski. Lake of Torches Resort & Casino is a great place to try your luck at slot machines.
Tip: Stop by George W. Brown Jr. Museum and Cultural Center Ojibwe to learn about the history of Lac Du Flambeau and view interactive exhibitions and cultural programs. During the summer months, you can join a pow-wow!
Menominee Nation of Wisconsin
Not only is the Menominee Tribe Reservation the largest in Wisconsin, it is also the largest reservation east of the Mississippi River, encompassing 350 square miles of forest! Guests can stay at the Menominee Hotel and Casino and enjoy plenty of outdoor recreation.
Tip: The Menominee Cultural Museum, open year-round, offers a wide selection of artifacts and exhibits showcasing the tribe’s history. The Wood Museum, open during the summer months, is another engaging and educational stop.
Chippewa Sokatail (Lake Crete)
Like other Wisconsin preserves, Mole Lake is perfect for adventure seekers, offering trails for snowmobiling, hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and more. Mole Lake is also home to one of the last remaining historic wild rice fields in Wisconsin. Check out the casino’s blackjack tables and stay overnight to tour the reservation.
Tip: Don’t miss it Dinesen-Motzfeldt-Hettinger Househome to the father of writer Isak Dinesen, who is best known for his memoir Out of Africa.
Oneida Nation
The Oneida Nation in Wisconsin covers 65,400 acres along Duck Creek. This reservation offers some of the best opportunities to truly understand and connect with the Native peoples of Wisconsin. The Oneida National Museum showcases current and past cultures, creating a connection between the two their worldviews and the world We know. The gift shop sells a variety of handicrafts by local artists.
Tip: In addition to the museum and casino, visit the Oneida longhouse village, which mimics the tribe’s classic homes from hundreds of years ago.
Red Cliff Complex on Lake Superior Chippewa
The modest Red Cliff Band Preserve sits 32 miles of Lake Superior’s shoreline at the tip of the Bayfield Peninsula. This is a great stop for families heading to the Apostle Islands or the first tribal national park in the US, Frog Bay.
Tip: Don’t like camping? Red Cliff’s Legendary Waters Resort & Casino offers accommodations close to Bayfield and all its attractions.
Stockbridge-Munsee Community
The Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans made their home in Shawno County, Wisconsin, in the 18th century. The petite 24,000-acre reservation is home to the North Star Mohican Casino Resort and Pine Hill Golf Club.
Tip: Stop by the Arvid E. Miller Library and Museum to learn about the history and culture of the community.
