Vilas County Visitor Guide - 2020

ADVENTURE: SPRING
When the snow disappears, there are new adventures to
discover in Vilas County. From spring hikes to bike rides
on well-maintained Northwoods trails, good times are as
plentiful as forest wildflowers.
Here are some possibilities for spring adventure.
•Explore the 1.5 million-acre Chequamegon-Nicolet
National Forest 1 via the Anvil Lake Trail, just east of
Eagle River.
Instagrammable Vilas
Don’t leave your phone in the car. Vilas County is filled
with Instagram-worthy spots that are too good to miss.
Discover your own magic or start with these sure bets.
•Little Bohemia 3 , site of a 1930s shootout
between John Dillinger and the FBI.
•Ride the Heart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail
System—52 miles of paved trail connecting Boulder
Junction, Sayner-Star Lake, Manitowish Waters, St.
Germain and Mercer.
•On cool days, warm up at a coffee shop in Land
O’ Lakes, Eagle River, or one of the other charming
communities.
•Go birdwatching in the Northern Highland-American
Legion State Forest and check out the Northwoods
Birding Festival in Manitowish Waters.
•Gaze into Black Oak Lake 2 in Land O’ Lakes—it’s
considered one of the state’s clearest lakes!
•Enjoy a big stack of pancakes at a Vilas County
breakfast spot and get some syrup to bring home at
the Maple Syrup Festival in Phelps, which takes place
each April.
•“Gil”—the larger-than-life musky statue at the
Boulder Junction Chamber of Commerce.
•Burnt Rollways Dam 4 —the unusual connection
between the Three Lakes and Eagle River chain is a
large boat hoist that carries boats between the
chains.
•Cranberry marshes—Instagram gold in Manitowish
Waters and Eagle River.
•Cathedral Point 5 —see pines as tall as 130 feet
in a former Native American garden.
•Shanty Boy Hill Cemetery 6 —pay your respects at
this memorial to fallen lumberjacks in Presque Isle.
BANDIT ENJOYS HIS FIRST RIDE
OJ J. | Minocqua Area
Bandit enjoys his first ride on Little Arbor Vitae.
16 ADVENTURES
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