Thompsons West End Park

Thompson's West End Park in Washburn offers access to Lake Superior's Chequamegon Bay, a protected inland water body ideal for paddlers seeking calmer conditions than open lake waters. The 27-acre park features a swimming beach, fishing pier, and shoreline access, making it a good jumping-off point for kayakers and canoeists exploring the bay and nearby coastal wetlands. The park is also an access point to the Washburn Lakeshore Parkway and Walking Trail for post-paddle exploration.

The park provides full amenities for boaters and paddlers, including restroom facilities with flush toilets, showers, and an artesian water well. Note that there is a boat launch facility on-site (subject to usage fees), though some sources indicate limited ramp infrastructure—contact the park directly to confirm current launch conditions before arriving. With 50 campsites offering electrical service and lake views, Thompson's West End Park works well for paddlers planning overnight trips on Chequamegon Bay or as a base for exploring nearby Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge and the broader Lake Superior coastal area.