Crivitz, Wisconsin: More Than You’re Expecting

TLDR:

• Crivitz WI offers far more than just the lake waterfalls, trails, and local events are all within easy reach
• The Crivitz Ski Cats summer water ski show is a standout local highlight
• The Marinette County waterfalls are some of the best in the state and within 45 minutes of Crivitz
• Fishing, boating, and tubing on Lake Noquebay are among the top activities
• Crivitz’s small-town feel makes it a genuine northern Wisconsin vacation destination

Most people who come to Crivitz, Wisconsin for the first time have a simple plan: get to the lake, get on the water, and unplug for a few days. That plan is a solid one. But if that’s all you do, you’re leaving a lot on the table. Crivitz sits at the heart of one of the most activity-rich corners of the state, surrounded by waterfalls, rivers, trails, golf courses, and a summer water ski show that’s been running for over 60 years. For anyone planning a northern Wisconsin vacation, this is one of the most well-rounded destinations you’ll find.

Whether you’re staying on Lake Noquebay for a week or just passing through, here are 10 things to do in Crivitz Wisconsin that most visitors either don’t know about or don’t get around to. Consider this your local insider guide.

10 Things to Do in Crivitz WI That Are Worth Your Time

Watch the Crivitz Ski Cats Water Ski Show

If you’re in Crivitz WI and haven’t heard of the Crivitz Ski Cats, this is your introduction. This non-profit water ski show team has been performing on Lake Noquebay since 1962 and puts on one of the best free shows in Wisconsin. Shows run Wednesday and Saturday evenings at Lake Noquebay County Park, featuring jumps, pyramids, barefoot skiing, and themed performances that change every season. It’s one of those things to do in Crivitz WI that locals take for granted and visitors can’t stop talking about. Read the full story on Only In Your State.

Fish Lake Noquebay

At nearly 2,400 acres, Lake Noquebay is the largest lake in Marinette County and one of the better fishing lakes in northeastern Wisconsin. The lake holds walleye, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass, panfish, and bluegill. Guests staying at Noquebay Resort have dock slip access, making it easy to launch early and be out on the water before the rest of the lake wakes up. Whether you’re a serious angler or just dropping a line off the dock with the kids, fishing on Lake Noquebay is one of the most reliable best activities near Crivitz WI year-round.


Chase the Marinette County Waterfalls

This one is genuinely special. Marinette County is officially known as the Waterfall Capital of Wisconsin, and it earns that title. There are more than a dozen named Marinette County waterfalls accessible within 45 minutes of Crivitz, ranging from easy roadside pullouts to short trails through old-growth pine forest. Veteran’s Falls, Twelve Foot Falls, Eight Foot Falls, and Long Slide Falls are among the most visited. A one-day waterfall loop is one of the best things to do in Crivitz Wisconsin for any outdoor-focused visitor, and a small daily park pass covers entry to most county parks. The official Marinette County waterfall guide has directions and details for all 15 falls.

Tube or Boat the High Falls Flowage

Just west of Crivitz, the High Falls Flowage is a broad, calm body of water perfect for tubing, pontoon cruising, and family swimming. Twin Bridge Park along the flowage has a beach area, shaded picnic spots, and easy water access. It’s one of the most relaxed activities near Crivitz WI for families who want a slower day on the water without the boat traffic of a busier lake. Kids love it, and it’s close enough to town that you don’t lose half a day getting there.

Hike Governor Thompson State Park

Governor Thompson State Park sits just outside Crivitz and offers well-maintained trails through diverse forest landscapes, a large reservoir for fishing and kayaking, and genuinely quiet picnic areas. The Red Pine Trail is a moderate 2-mile loop through towering pines that’s suitable for most fitness levels. For anyone planning a northern Wisconsin vacation with mixed interests in the group, this park is one of those spots that works for nearly everyone, from toddlers to grandparents.

Go Whitewater Rafting on the Peshtigo River

The Peshtigo River runs through the Crivitz area and offers some of the most accessible whitewater in the Midwest. Guided rafting trips are available through outfitters in the region and are popular with groups of friends and families with older kids. Spring runoff makes the river especially exciting, though trips run through the warmer months. It’s one of the top things to do in Crivitz Wisconsin for anyone who wants something with a little more adrenaline.

Visit the Crivitz Area Museum

If you’re curious about the logging history, early settlement, and regional heritage that shaped Crivitz WI, the Crivitz Area Museum is worth an hour of your time. It’s a small but well-kept local museum with exhibits on the area’s past, including its logging and mining industries. It puts the town in context and makes the surrounding forests and rivers feel even more interesting. A solid option for a rainy afternoon or a quieter travel day during a longer northern Wisconsin vacation.

Snowmobile or ATV the Northwoods Trails

Crivitz sits at the edge of an enormous network of groomed snowmobile and ATV trails that wind through forests and connect small northwoods towns. Over 100 miles of groomed snowmobile trails run through the area, and ATV access covers hundreds more miles north of town. These are among the most popular things to do in Crivitz WI for visitors who come back in the off-season. Winter brings ice fishing derbies, snowmobile radar runs, and local festivals that add even more reason to make the drive north outside of summer.

Tee Off at Hunter’s Glen Golf Club

Just one mile east of Crivitz, Hunter’s Glen Golf Club is a public championship-level course set in a beautiful northwoods landscape. It’s open to the public and is one of those best activities near Crivitz WI that golfers in the group tend to push for. The setting is genuinely impressive, and non-golfers who come along to walk the course usually admit it was worth the trip.

Stay on the Lake and Let Noquebay Resort Do the Rest

If you want the best base for a northern Wisconsin vacation and a jumping-off point for everything Crivitz has to offer, Noquebay Resort puts you right in the middle of it. The resort sits on 500 feet of sandy shoreline on Lake Noquebay with four modern 3-bedroom cabins, dock slips, private patios with gas firepits, and Dockers on Noquebay Food & Spirits on-site for meals without driving anywhere. Groups can book all four cabins together for a private resort experience, which makes it one of the most flexible options for families and larger groups looking at what to do near Lake Noquebay for a full week. Take a look at the Lakeshore Home Rentals page to see what’s available, and check the Surrounding Area page for the full picture of what’s within reach.

Why Crivitz Keeps Bringing People Back

There’s something about Crivitz, Wisconsin that doesn’t fully translate on paper. It’s a small town. The population is modest. There isn’t a theme park anchoring it. What it has instead is a combination of natural beauty, genuine community, and enough variety in its activities that you can spend a full week here and still feel like you didn’t get to everything.

The lake, the Marinette County waterfalls, the Ski Cats, the trails, the fishing, and the unhurried pace of the place all work together to create the kind of northern Wisconsin vacation that people actually remember. That’s what makes Crivitz WI different. Most people who come here once are already thinking about their next visit before they leave.

Noquebay Resort puts you right on Lake Noquebay with everything you need for a full northern Wisconsin vacation. Four modern lakeside cabins, dock slips, a gas firepit, and Dockers on Noquebay Food & Spirits all in one place. Check availability and reserve your cabin today.

FAQ

What are the best things to do in Crivitz, Wisconsin?
The top things to do in Crivitz Wisconsin include fishing and boating on Lake Noquebay, watching the Crivitz Ski Cats water ski show, hiking the Marinette County waterfalls, tubing the High Falls Flowage, and exploring Governor Thompson State Park. The area also has ATV and snowmobile trail networks, a public golf course, and strong local dining.

Are there waterfalls near Crivitz WI?
Yes, and they’re genuinely impressive. The Marinette County waterfalls are some of the best in the state, and more than a dozen are accessible within 45 minutes of Crivitz. Veteran’s Falls, Twelve Foot Falls, Eight Foot Falls, and Long Slide Falls are among the most visited. A small daily park pass covers entry to most county parks and is valid for all Marinette County parks on the day of purchase.

What is the Crivitz Ski Cats show?
The Crivitz Ski Cats are a non-profit water ski show team that has performed on Lake Noquebay since 1962. Shows include jumps, barefoot skiing, pyramid formations, and themed performances. They run on Wednesday and Saturday evenings at Lake Noquebay County Park during the summer season. Admission is free and donations are welcome. It’s one of the most unique things to do in Crivitz WI for visitors of any age.

What is there to do near Lake Noquebay?
There’s plenty of what to do near Lake Noquebay beyond the water itself. The Crivitz Ski Cats show, the Marinette County waterfalls tour, Governor Thompson State Park, the High Falls Flowage, and Hunter’s Glen Golf Club are all within a short drive. The Surrounding Area page at Noquebay Resort covers a full list of activities within easy reach.

Is Crivitz a good destination for a northern Wisconsin vacation?
Crivitz is one of the most well-rounded northern Wisconsin vacation destinations in the state. Lake Noquebay offers a flat, sandy shoreline ideal for all ages, the waterfall tour is one of the best day trips in the region, and the overall pace is relaxed and family-friendly. Noquebay Resort in particular is well set up for multigenerational groups, with four cabins bookable together for a private resort experience.

How do I book a stay at Noquebay Resort?
You can check availability and book directly on the Lakeshore Home Rentals page. Noquebay Resort has four modern 3-bedroom lakeside cabins that can be booked individually or together for groups and family reunions.