Vilas County Visitor Guide - 2021

2021 VISITOR GUIDE

Welcome to Vilas County, your premier lakeside

vacation destination. This magnificent corner of the

Northwoods is home to more than 70 silent sports

trails, nearly 700 miles of snowmobile trails, 73

rivers and streams and more than 1,300 lakes—one

of the largest concentrations of freshwater lakes on

earth. You’ll also find hundreds of shops, museums

and restaurants as well as countless resorts, cabins,

motels and other lodging options—visit vilas.org for

more information.

BOULDER JUNCTION • CONOVER • EAGLE RIVER • LAC DU FLAMBEAU

LAND O’ LAKES • MANITOWISH WATERS • MINOCQUA AREA • PHELPS

PRESQUE ISLE • SAYNER-STAR LAKE • ST. GERMAIN • WINCHESTER

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Communities ...................................................... 4-7

Lakes & Waterways ............................................. 8-9

Fishing ................................................................. 10

Public Access Waterways ................................... 11-14

Adventures ........................................................ 15-19

Shopping & Dining ............................................... 20

Lodging .............................................................. 21

County Map .................................................... 22-23

Vilas County Public Lands ................................... 24

Trail Grid ............................................................ 25

Map It Vilas County ......................................... 26-27

Vilas County Trail Safety ........................................28

Arts & Museums .................................................. 29

Calendar of Events ........................................... 30-33

Recurring Events ................................................ 34

Fishing Events ................................................... 35

Advertisements ................................................ 36-44

VILAS.ORG

Photography

This visitor guide was made possible by the generous

support of advertisers featured in the guide. Photos in

this guide have been provided courtesy of Vilas County

Tourism & Publicity, the communities of Vilas County and

the visitors who have shared their vacation moments with

Vilas County.

GET DETAILED TRAIL MAPS

Download the Map It

Vilas County trails app

Snowmobiling · Silent Sports · ATVing

E-NEWSLETTER SIGN UP

To follow what’s happening

in Vilas County, sign up for

our free e-newsletter at

vilas.org

We have done our best to provide the most accurate, up-to-date

information in this guide. Trails, lake access, business and

attraction hours, event dates and other details may have changed

since publication. We apologize for any inaccurate information

or errors. This publication is produced by Pilch & Barnet, Inc.

(608.242.8895, pilchbarnet.com) for Vilas County Tourism &

Publicity. All rights reserved by Vilas County Tourism & Publicity.

715.479.3649 WELCOME 3

COMMUNITIES

WELCOME HOME

Vilas County’s 12 welcoming communities offer a home away from home for visitors of the Northwoods. They provide a full

range of accommodations including family-owned resorts, comfortable motels, spacious vacation rentals and scenic

campgrounds. Each community is unique and perfect for a getaway for families, a couple, or a group of friends. Discover

shopping, dining, lodging, and recreational activities in these one-of-a-kind small towns. For more information on Vilas

County’s communities, visit vilas.org.

4 COMMUNITIES

VILAS.ORG

BOULDER JUNCTION

715.385.2400 | boulderjct.org

Big wilderness. Bigger fun. Boulder Junction is surrounded

by the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest,

194 glacial lakes and hundreds of miles of trails. Bike the

over 50-mile Heart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail, fish for

a monster musky, paddle the Manitowish River or simply

gaze at the stars. Sledheads will enjoy freshly groomed

snowmobile trails that lead to local pit stops. Downtown,

you’ll find art galleries, gift shops and more, with friendly

faces welcoming you wherever you go. Whether this is your

first trip to Boulder Junction or your 25th, you’ll feel right

at home. Travel Boulder—let us help you book your

vacation today.

CONOVER

715.479.4928 | conover.org

Your adventure begins in Conover! Untarnished lakes and

lush forests reach out in all directions, with the community

of Conover being the focal point. Located just 9 miles north

of Eagle River and 9 miles south of the Wisconsin-Michigan

border, Conover is the ideal location to enjoy the true

“Northwoods.” Come to Conover and experience a way of

life that is refreshing and exciting, yet restful and rewarding.

Whether it’s fishing a “hot spot” on one of our many lakes,

hiking or biking through a dazzling panorama of autumn

colors, or skiing or snowmobiling our picturesque forests,

year-round Conover is your starting point of ADVENTURE!

EAGLE RIVER

1.800.359.6315 | eagleriver.org

I suppose this is the place where we’re supposed to brag

about all the stuff that’s great about Eagle River, like the

“World’s Largest Chain of 28 Lakes,” or the fact that we’re

the Snowmobile Capital of the World®, but what we’d really

like to do is just tell you that Eagle River is mostly about

you doing what you like to do. Maybe you’re into kayaking,

fishing, boating, snowmobiling, hiking, museums or

shopping, or maybe you’re just about relaxing and enjoying

some amazing scenery. Either way, we’d like to think this

is a place you’re gonna love. Eagle River, Up North—Down

to Earth.

LAC DU FLAMBEAU

lacduflambeauchamber.com

Waswagoning, “a place where they fish by torchlight,” is

the name the Ojibwe gave their Northwoods home. French

fur traders named the area Lac du Flambeau, “Lake of

the Torch.” Lush forests, abundant wildlife, 250 lakes and

miles of snowmobile trails combined with modern resorts,

a casino and cultural attractions to create a true year-round

destination. Visit the George W. Brown, Jr. Ojibwe Museum

& Cultural Center. Come to Lac du Flambeau and Refresh

Your Spirit.

715.479.3649 COMMUNITIES 5

LAND O’ LAKES

715.547.3432 | golandolakeswi.com

Experience nature’s own spectacular and serene setting

on the Wisconsin-Michigan border. Land O’ Lakes is

where your journey ends and the fun begins each season.

Enjoy abundant recreational activities, beautiful lakes,

lush forests and paved trails and find everything to meet

your shopping and dining needs. Find a way of life that is

refreshing and exciting yet restful and rewarding as you hike

or bike, snowmobile or ATV/UTV, ski or snowshoe, kayak or

fish your favorite lake. Visit Land O’ Lakes for four-season

family fun. You will find Serenity at the Top of Wisconsin and

a whole lot more.

MANITOWISH WATERS

715.543.8488 | manitowishwaters.org

Manitowish Waters acquired its name from an Ojibwa word

that some say means “spirit,” a reference to the heavy mists

that settle on the lakes. Whether you are looking to do some

fishing, boating or just want to unwind, Manitowish Waters has

it all! Explore over 4,000 acres of water, including our

“Legendary 10 Lake Chain.” Manitowish Waters has quiet and

peaceful surroundings, making it a perfect destination for a

family vacation, reunion, romantic getaway, or snowmobiling,

hunting or fishing trip. Discover our scenic paved bike trails

that connect with our surrounding communities and enjoy

lodging options that will exceed your expectations. Create your

Manitowish Waters memories today. Life is better in the 54545.

LET’S MINOCQUA + ARBOR VITAE + WOODRUFF

1.800.446.6784 | letsminocqua.com

Welcome to the communities of Minocqua, Arbor Vitae,

and Woodruff—Nature’s Original Water Park. We are

located in Northern Wisconsin’s Lake Country where there

are thousands of lakes, rivers, and streams that literally

saturate the geography. With over a million acres of public

forest and over 600 miles of trails, the scenery that

surrounds our waterways is just as spectacular and offers

just as much adventure. Vacationers have long been

visiting the Minocqua area to enjoy these woods and waters

by boating, swimming, fishing, snowmobiling, hiking, biking

and more. There are no admission fees, and we’re open

year-round!

6 COMMUNITIES

PHELPS

715.545.3800 | phelpswi.us

Nestled within the 661,000-acre Nicolet National Forest,

Phelps has been an outdoor sport destination for over

a century! Whether you prefer to explore on foot, bike,

snowmobile, boat or canoe, you will find that Phelps can

accommodate you. Visit the Phelps Historical Museum

and be sure to golf the historic Big Sand Lake Golf Course.

The heart of Phelps overlooks North Twin Lake, THE place

to catch breathtaking sunsets and star-filled night skies.

Discover an abundance of outdoor opportunities in a

friendly, welcoming community—make vacations to Phelps

on the Lake your new family tradition!

VILAS.ORG

PRESQUE ISLE

715.686.2910 | presqueisle.com

Presque Isle is known as Wisconsin’s Last Wilderness. This

77-square-mile area of lakes and forests at the far northern

border of Vilas County is your jumping-off point for trail

adventures into the national forests of Wisconsin and the

Upper Peninsula. In addition to great fishing, Presque Isle

offers trail users mountain biking, cross-country skiing and

snowmobiling. The glacial hills and crystal waters are well

suited to contemplative outdoor endeavors such as hiking

and photography, as well as more fast-paced activities like

waterskiing and snowmobiling.

SAYNER-STAR LAKE

sayner-starlake.org

The two scenic communities of Sayner and Star Lake offer

quiet beauty and small-town charm in every season. Travel

trails through old-growth forest and along pristine and

peaceful lakeshores or the local segment of the Heart of

Vilas County Paved Bike Trail System. Watch the sunrise

from your canoe or kayak. Enjoy a great meal at a local

café or supper club. Discover artsy, eclectic and unique

shops. It’s all located within minutes of your perfect cabin,

cottage, resort or vacation home getaway. For relaxation

and the true flavor of the Northwoods, come Find Yourself

in Sayner-Star Lake!

ST. GERMAIN

715.477.2205 | st-germain.com

Now is your time to “Escape the Fast Lane.” Your

Northwoods vacation starts right here in beautiful

St. Germain. A land with beautiful lakes and rivers, where

you can always see a bald eagle flying overhead or hear a

loon calling across the water. Witness a sky so filled with

stars that you can see for miles. Outdoor recreation is

our specialty, whether by land or by water. No matter what

reason you choose to visit us, why wait until tomorrow to

“Escape the Fast Lane” when you can do it today!

WINCHESTER

715.686.2123 | winchesterwi.com

Winchester, located in the northwest corner of Vilas County,

encompasses over 34,000 acres and 63 lakes. Almost 80

percent of the town’s area is wooded with more than 6,000

acres of public land as part of the Northern Highland-

American Legion State Forest. A small community most

of the year, our area is perfect for summer activities like

fishing, boating, biking and hiking. Winter sports such as

skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing are also popular.

Our newly renovated school building houses a community

area, the Winchester Public Library and an excellent history

display of the area.

715.479.3649 COMMUNITIES 7

LAKES & WATERWAYS

MAKE WAVES

Retreating glaciers thousands of years ago left a gift to Vilas County—

thousands of unspoiled Northwoods lakes. In fact, the county is home to one of

the largest collections of freshwater lakes in the world, with more than 1,300

beautiful lakes and 73 rivers and streams. Paddlers can drift through pristine

waters. Anglers will find lakes that have produced record hauls. Boaters can

find scenic routes that will take a whole day to explore, and plenty of room to

enjoy water sports. Find details on our lakes on pages 11-14, including GPS

coordinates, what you’ll find there, public access information, and the size and

depth of each lake. While the lakes in Vilas County are so numerous, you could

spend a lifetime exploring them, many travelers find their favorite spot and

return year after year. We hope you find your own favorite lake and enjoy every

moment on the water in Vilas County.

SEEKING SAND

There’s nothing like relaxing on the soft sand of a Vilas County beach. Soak up

the sun while enjoying the tranquility of northern Wisconsin. On some mornings,

your only company at the lake may be a jumping fish or a loon. Enjoy a summer

read, visit with some friends or family or just reflect on how perfect life is when

you’re here. Here’s a sample of Vilas County’s best beaches.

8 LAKES & WATERWAYS

NICHOLS BEACH PARK & BEACH,

BOULDER JUNCTION

Nichols Beach is a great familyfriendly

swimming area located just

2.5 miles from downtown Boulder

Junction. Its shallow water and gentle

entry make it a good bet for kids and

it’s dog friendly. To find the beach,

follow Cty. Hwy. K west, turn left on

Cty. Hwy. H and left onto Nichols

Lake Lane.

EAGLE LAKE COUNTY PARK & BEACH,

EAGLE RIVER

Eagle Lake County Park is located

on the World-Famous Chain of 28

Lakes, on the north shore of beautiful

575-acre Eagle Lake. It offers bird

watching opportunities as well as

a spectacular view of the lake. The

beach is located at 4105 W. Eagle

Pines Road off Chain O’ Lakes

Road, approximately 4 miles (driving

distance) northeast of Eagle River.

BRANDY LAKE BEACH, MINOCQUA AREA

Enjoy a gorgeous view from this

soft, sandy beach on Brandy Lake.

The beach is in a park that offers a

changing house and restrooms, as

well as a variety of picnic and athletic

facilities. A paved walkway connects

a park shelter to the beach. Brandy

Lake Park and Beach is located at

326 Brandy Beach (Lemma Creek

Road) in Arbor Vitae.

LITTLE STAR LAKE PARK & BEACH,

MANITOWISH WATERS

This charming beach is located half

a mile west of U.S. Hwy. 51 on Park

Road. The park’s facilities include

a beach/buoyed swim area, picnic

tables, grills, hand water pump and

toilets. Arrive by bike, car or boat. The

beach is dog friendly.

CRYSTAL LAKE PARK & BEACH, SAYNER

This popular swimming spot

is located in the Crystal Lake

Campground in the Northern

Highland-American Legion State

Forest. It’s located right on the Heart

of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail

System, so it’s possible to pedal

right to the beach. The lake earns its

name—the water has amazing clarity.

The beach is about 5 miles from

downtown Sayner on Cty. Hwy. N.

VILAS.ORG

LAKE CHAINS

Vilas County has lakes of all sizes, from

picturesque postage-stamp waters to

lakes big enough for an extended cruise.

And the best news: you don’t have to

choose. The county’s famous lake chains

allow you to explore several lakes—or

more than a dozen—in a single outing.

Here’s a quick guide to the chains.

CISCO CHAIN

In far northern Vilas County, the Cisco

Chain takes boaters into Michigan waters.

With 15 lakes and 270 miles of shoreline,

it’s a chain of substantial size. Big Lake,

West Bay and Mamie Lake extend into

Vilas County and connect with Cisco and

Thousand Island lakes to the north.

EAGLE RIVER CHAIN

One of the most well-known chains in the

Northwoods is the Eagle River Chain of

Lakes. In fact, it’s the largest freshwater

chain of lakes in the world. It connects

with the Three Lakes Chain to the south,

so boaters have a total of 28 lakes to

explore. The Eagle River portion of the

chain includes 10 lakes covering 3,600

acres, including small waters like the 31-

acre Lynx Lake and expansive lakes like

the nearly 1,000-acre Catfish Lake.

LAC DU FLAMBEAU CHAIN

This spring-fed 10-lake chain is known

for its abundant fish and clear water.

It’s anchored by Fence Lake, a clear,

3,483-acre lake containing musky,

panfish, smallmouth bass, northern

pike and walleye. There are many

places to get on the water, and one

of the chain’s lakes, Long Interlaken,

borders downtown Lac du Flambeau.

MANITOWISH WATERS CHAIN

In Manitowish Waters, you’ll find a 10-

lake chain with some great fishing and

an interesting history. The chain includes

Rest Lake, Stone Lake, Fawn Lake, Clear

Lake, Little Star Lake, Island Lake, Alder

Lake, Spider Lake, Wild Rice Lake and

Manitowish Lake. The lake that helped

the chain gain fame is Little Star Lake,

home to Little Bohemia Lodge, site

of a 1934 shootout between John

Dillinger and the FBI.

PADDLE BOARDING

Jen B. | Presque Isle

Nolan enjoying a perfect day on Presque

Isle Lake!

715.479.3649 LAKES & WATERWAYS 9

FISHING

FISH SPECIES

Black Crappie

Bluegill

Brook Trout

THE FISH OF VILAS COUNTY

Our lakes are teeming with musky, panfi sh and bass. Here are some details on what makes

these fi sh—and our lakes—special.

MUSKELLUNGE (MUSKY OR ESOX MASQUINONGY)

• The musky was proclaimed the offi cial state fi sh in 1955, and it’s a worthy opponent

for any angler: it’s known as the “fi sh of 10,000 casts”.

• Pick a lake: Vilas County has the most musky-class lakes in Wisconsin, home to 186 of

the state’s 667 Class A-C musky waters.

• Best of the best: Vilas County has the most Class A musky lakes in Wisconsin (31 of

the state’s 316 Class A waters can be found here).

PANFISH

• Cast a line and catch a fi sh: Vilas County is known for our abundance of panfi sh.

• There are 11 different panfi sh species in Wisconsin. What’s the most popular? It’s hard

to beat a bluegill.

• There are endless options for shore or pier fi shing for panfi sh. Check out Upper

Gresham Lake in Boulder Junction, Rest Lake in Manitowish Waters, Star Lake in

Sayner-Star Lake, Silver Lake in Eagle River and several locations in Presque Isle,

including Horsehead Lake, Little Horsehead Lake and Oxbow Lake.

BASS

• It’s hard to believe the fun you can have with this game fi sh and Vilas County has some

of the best bass fi shing around.

• The county is a productive bass fi shery, with more than 100 smallmouth bass lakes.

FISH SPECIES OF VILAS COUNTY

Vilas County has nearly limitless places to cast a line. We have big lakes with plenty of

open water to test as well as small lakes that are rarely fi shed. See see our Public Access

Waterways Grid (pages 11-14) for details on where you can fi nd the best places to get on

the water.

Fishing is a year-round sport in Vilas County. In fact, a quarter of the fi sh caught are landed

during the ice fi shing season.

Consider using one of our experienced local fi shing guides. They’ll share lessons you’ll use

for a lifetime—plus, they’re a bargain when you factor in the great value of being able to

use their boat and equipment.

10 FISHING

Lake Trout

Largemouth Bass

Muskellunge

Northern Pike

Perch

Pumpkinseed

Smallmouth Bass

Walleye

White Crappie

VILAS.ORG

PUBLIC ACCESS WATERWAYS

LOCATION

AV - Arbor Vitae

BJ - Boulder Junction

CL - Cloverland

CO - Conover

ER - Eagle River

LF - Lac du Flambeau

LL - Land O’ Lakes

LI - Lincoln

MW - Manitowish Waters

MA - Minocqua

PH - Phelps

PL - Plum Lake (Sayner-Star Lake)

PI - Presque Isle

SG - St. Germain

WA - Washington

WI - Winchester

PUBLIC ACCESS

BR - Boat Ramp

BF - Barrier-Free Boat Ramp

P - Barrier-Free Peir

T - Walk-in Trail

R - Roadside

W - Wilderness in Public Ownership

BW - Barrier-Free Wilderness Access

NW - Navigable Water

Area (acres)

Max. Depth (ft.)

Mean Depth (ft.)

Public Access

Lake Map

Lake Type

Musky

Northern Pike

Walleye

BOAT LANDING

CI - Carry-In

GR - Gravel Ramp

PR - Paved Ramp

UR - Unimproved Ramp

LAKE TYPE

DG - Drainage Lake

SE - Seepage Lake

SP - Spring Lake

SPECIES OF FISH

A - Abundant

C - Common

P - Present

CHAIN OF LAKES

- Cisco Chain

t - Eagle River

• - Lac du Flambeau

• - Manitowish Waters

For the most current info go to: https://dnr.wi.gov/lakes

LM Bass

SM Bass

Panfish

Trout

Landing Type

Landing Location

GPS Latitude/

Longitude

Chain of Lakes

Adelaide Lake 57 69 R X DG P P P P P C CI WI 46.250063, -89.897327

Alder Lake 264 30 R X DG C P A P P C CI MW 46.092544, -89.824861 •

Allequash Lake 406 24 10 BR X DG C C C C P A PR BJ 46.034035, -89.630311

Allequash Springs 8 9 W SP P CI PL 46.034279, -89.580239

Alma Lake 58 18 11 BR X SE C C P C A PR SG 45.910484, -89.426773

Annabelle Lake 194 30 12 BF X DG C P C P C PR PI 46.220636, -89.679639

Anne Lake 34 77 18 T X SE P C C CI PI 46.172119, -89.787034

Anvil Lake 377 32 19 BR X SE P C P P PR WA 45.93658, -89.063258

Anvil Lake (Landing Rd) 377 32 19 BR X SE P C P P UR WA 45.935862, -89.074895

Apeekwa Lake 206 5 BR X DG C A P P C UR LF 45.961152, -90.035052

Arrowhead Lake 96 43 BR X SP C P C P P C PR AV 45.903487, -89.685916

Aurora Lake 83 4 BR DG P P P CI PL 46.021416, -89.539953

Baker Lake 37 21 BR SP P P C UR CO 46.066638, -89.346768

Ballard Lake 503 25 9 BR X DG C C C P C PR PL 46.062217, -89.4854

Benson Lake 28 15 W DG P C P P P C CI MW 46.133881, -89.917352

Big Arbor Vitae Lake (North) 1070 41 18 BR X DG A A C C PR AV 45.943551, -89.657644

Big Arbor Vitae Lake (Southeast) 1070 41 18 X DG A A C C PR AV 45.9185, -89.636735

Big Arbor Vitae Lake (Southwest) 1070 41 18 X DG A A C C GR AV 45.917927, -89.638295

Big Crooked Lake 394 87 23 X DG C P C P C UR LF 46.037786, -89.836711

Big Gibson Lake 121 15 T SE P P P C PR LL 46.139345, -89.547589

Big Lake - Campground 827 61 X DG C P C P C C PR PI 46.16231, -89.786206

Big Lake (Cisco Chain) 780 30 13 BR X DG C C A P C C PR LL 46.203357, -89.460934

Big Lake (Cty Hwy K) 827 61 BR X DG C P C P C C PR BJ 46.14451, -89.77423

Big Muskellunge Lake - Campground 897 70 26 X SE C P C P C C PR PL 46.005812, -89.61349

Big Muskellunge Lake (Big Muskellunge Rd) 897 70 26 X SE C P C C P C UR PL 46.026001, -89.603935

Big Muskellunge Lake (Cty Hwy N) 897 70 26 X SE C P C C P C PR BJ 46.0084167, -89.629383

Big Portage Lake 586 40 18 BR X SE C C C P C PR LL 46.116253, -89.284282

Big Saint Germain Lake 1622 42 21 BR X DG C C C P P C PR SG 45.943705, -89.508944

Big Sand Lake 1427 56 16 BR X DG C C C P P C P PR PH 46.071951, -88.974733

Birch Lake 506 45 BR X DG C P C P C A PR WI 46.211112, -89.836711

Bittersweet Lake 104 31 T SE C P C C C C CI AV 45.927442, -89.602552

Black Oak Lake 564 85 34 BR X DG C P C C A PR LL 46.15551, -89.30694

Blueberry Lake 15 27 T SE C P C C A P CI PL 46.024942, -89.586076

Bobidosh Lake 74 33 SE P A UR LF 45.99361, -89.826519

Bolton Lake 140 36 SP C C C C A UR LF 45.955265, -89.801383

Boot Lake 286 15 9 BF X DG C P A P P C PR CL 45.966014, -89.330895

Boulder Lake 524 23 12 BR X DG C P A P P C PR BJ 46.132239, -89.656104

Brandy Lake 113 44 BR X DG C C P C A PR AV 45.904346, -89.698562

Bug Lake 21 11 T SE P CI AV 45.949825, -89.650904

Camp Lake 38 31 9 T X SE P A CI AV 45.998053, -89.739026

Catfish Lake 978 30 12 BR X DG C P A P P C PR LI 45.902865, -89.212508 t

Circle Lily Lake 218 35 BR X DG P P P P C C UR MW 46.155347, -89.908005

Clair Lake 51 19 R X SE P C CI LL 46.115939, -89.344879

Clear Lake (Haskins Rd) 515 45 16 W X SP C C C P P C CI MW 46.153966, -89.815866

Clear Lake (Clear Lake Rd) 515 45 16 BR X SP C C C P P C PR MW 46.139407, -89.823605 •

Cooks Lake 10 20 W SE P P CI CL 45.974942, -89.312577

Crab Lake 909 60 22 BR X DG C P C P P C GR PI 46.203316, -89.729243

Cranberry Lake 956 23 9 BR X DG C P A P P C GR ER 45.8863833, -89.1700000 t

Crystal Lake 88 67 34 BR X SE P C P CI PL 45.999562, -89.610483

Day Lake 110 57 BR X SE P C UR BJ 46.068205, -89.707432

Dead Pike Lake 309 80 26 BR X DG C P C P P C GR MW 46.098597, -89.888726

Deadman Lake 15 20 SE A C CI SG 45.977554, -89.447163

Deep Lake 10 29 T SE P P CI CO 45.989229, -89.310657

715.479.3649 PUBLIC ACCESS WATERWAYS 11

Area (acres)

Max. Depth (ft.)

Mean Depth (ft.)

Public Access

Lake Map

Lake Type

Musky

Northern Pike

Walleye

LM Bass

SM Bass

Panfish

Trout

Landing Type

Landing Location

GPS Latitude/

Longitude

Chain of Lakes

Deerskin Lake (East Side) 301 18 6 BR X SP C P C C P A PR WA 45.981298, -89.161826

Deerskin Lake (Near Shangri La Rd) 301 18 6 X SP C P C C P A PR WA 45.978527, -89.169982

Deerskin River (Rangeline Rd) CI WA 45.952431, -89.17655

Diamond Lake 115 40 BR X SE C P P C C PR AV 46.049178, -89.714637

Dog Lake 10 15 R SE C P CI MW 46.140031, -89.914271

Dorothy Dunn Lake 77 22 P SE C C P P P UR PL 46.096012, -89.47101

Eagle Lake 575 34 16 BR X DG C P A P P C PR WA 45.940348, -89.206024 t

Eagle River (Forrest Street) BR PR LI 45.917094, -89.259699

East Ellerson Lake 136 26 W SE C C CI AV 46.00463, -89.74841

Emerald Lake 28 22 10 P X SE C C CI BJ 45.994964, -89.631122

Emily Lake 31 20 W X DG P P C GR LF 45.964531, -90.01139

Erickson Lake 110 18 DG C C C PR AV 45.94683, -89.630352

Escanaba Lake 303 26 14 BR X DG C P A C C PR BJ 46.056569, -89.588107

Ewald Lake 19 9 T SE P P CI CL 45.0515000, -90.5509333

Fallison Lake (North Side) 53 43 15 T X SE C CI BJ 45.995983, -89.618483

Fallison Lake (South Side) 53 43 15 X SE C CI BJ 45.988258, -89.624371

Favil Lake 42 20 T X DG C P C UR LF 45.958991, -89.993844

Fence Lake 3483 86 37 BR X DG C C C P C C P PR LF 45.950058, -89.865373

Firefly Lake (Off Of Hwy N) 33 46 T X SE P C C CI BJ 45.998806, -89.636959

Firefly Lake (Campground) 33 46 X SE P C C CI BJ 46.000883, -89.633946

Fishtrap Lake 339 34 BR X DG C P C C P C CI BJ 46.145185, -89.570959

Flambeau Lake (Campground) 1166 78 28 BR X DG C P C C C C PR LF 45.970671, -89.909976 •

Flambeau Lake (Indian Village Rd) 1166 78 28 X DG C P C C C C CI LF 45.966765, -89.934626

Forest Lake 468 60 29 BR X SE P C P P C GR LL 46.154607, -89.367167

Found Lake 336 21 11 BR X DG C C C C A PR SG 45.948039, -89.443722

Frank Lake 147 38 T X SE C C C P CI PL 46.027597, -89.554642

Grassy Lake 107 4 T SP P P P CI BJ 46.147109, -89.609234

Gunlock Lake 264 26 12 BR X SP C P P C P A PR LF 45.9143, -89.824838

Harris Lake 534 57 24 BR X DG C P C P P C PR WI 46.257058, -89.823482

Helen Creek (Access To Helen Lake) NW P P P C C PR LL 46.187313, -89.411808

High Lake 741 36 BR X DG C P C P P C GR LL 46.16945, -89.532212

Horsehead Lake 250 24 13 R X DG C P C P P C PR PI 46.234042, -89.70978

Hunter Lake 175 40 17 BR X SE C C P C PR CO 45.998332, -89.319143

Hurrah Lake 22 43 T SE P C C CI AV 45.955804, -89.649267

Ike Walton Lake 1417 61 10 X SE P P P P P UR LF 46.03156, -89.818037

Indian Lake 80 39 BR SE P C P C CI LL 46.120422, -89.401922

Irving Lake 419 8 BR DG C C C P P C PR PL 46.062182, -89.484599

Island Lake 865 35 13 BR X DG C C C P P C PR BJ 46.102503, -89.772979 •

Jag Lake 162 27 BR X SE P C P P C PR BJ 46.084504, -89.729095

Jean Lake 27 15 W SE P P CI PL 46.088214, -89.451749

Johnson Lake 85 42 BF X DG C P P C C PR AV 45.898812, -89.711864

Joyce Lake 28 45 X SE C C CI LL 46.122172, -89.348748

Jute Lake 191 23 16 BR X SE P P C C GR LL 46.151822, -89.514437

Kentuck Lake (Town West Side) 1001 40 13 BR X DG C C P C C PR PH 45.984729, -89.012038

Kentuck Lake (Usfs East Side) 1001 40 13 X DG C C P C C PR PH 45.993175, -88.981696

Klondike Lake 16 19 SE CI AV 45.970691, -89.624916

Lac Du Lune Lake 442 68 24 BR X SE P P P C C UR LL 46.13857, -89.382941

Lac Vieux Desert (Thunder Bay - South East Side) 4017 38 BR X DG C C C C C C PR PH 46.123521, -89.073657

Lac Vieux Desert (West Side) 4017 38 X DG C C C C C C PR PH 46.134434, -89.149855

Lac Vieux Desert (Wisconsin River) 4017 38 X DG C C C C C C CI PH 46.12147, -89.152462

Lake Helen 16 52 DG P C C CI WI 46.250304, -89.896667

Lake Laura (West Lake Laura Rd) 628 43 BR X SE C C P P P CI PL 46.063945, -89.45096

Lake Laura (Deerfoot Rd) 628 43 X SE C C P P P UR PL 46.048007, -89.431717

Lake Of The Hills 61 10 BR DG C P A PR CO 45.986153, -89.248862

Lake Salsich (South) 49 38 X SE P C C CI PL 46.038977, -89.453271

Lake Salsich (West) 49 38 SE P C C CI PL 46.040156, -89.453902

Little Arbor Vitae Lake 480 32 11 BR X DG C C C C PR AV 45.919433, -89.613112

Little Bass Lake 16 46 T X SE C C CI AV 45.914693, -89.702338

Little Bass Lake 19 UR MW 46.149701, -89.90943

Little Bass Lake 26 35 SE C C CI SG 45.951781, -89.472701

Little Cloud Lake 10 14 7 T X SE A CI SG 45.955563, -89.561462

Little Crab Lake 73 26 R SP C C P UR PI 46.181629, -89.710229

Little Crawling Stone Lake 113 44 18 BR X DG P P P P C C GR LF 45.924322, -89.898188 •

Little Crooked Lake 154 30 BR X DG C P C P C PR BJ 46.156618, -89.693681

Little Gibson Lake 32 20 T SE P P C CI LL 46.139847, -89.538469

Little Horsehead Lake 56 19 R DG P P P P P C GR PI 46.241763, -89.718956

Little John Junior Lake 21 21 T X SE C CI BJ 46.00564, -89.640951

Little John Lake 151 19 BR X SP C P C C P A PR BJ 46.019834, -89.643972

Little Muskie Lake 79 16 X SP C P C CI AV 45.916962, -89.701288

Little Rice Lake 50 7 R SP P A P P P C CI BJ 46.113162, -89.63869

Little Saint Germain Lake (Hwy 70) 972 53 11 BR X DG C A C C P C CI SG 45.918404, -89.532332

12 PUBLIC ACCESS WATERWAYS

VILAS.ORG

Area (acres)

Max. Depth (ft.)

Mean Depth (ft.)

Public Access

Lake Map

Lake Type

Musky

Northern Pike

Walleye

LM Bass

SM Bass

Panfish

Trout

Landing Type

Landing Location

GPS Latitude/

Longitude

Chain of Lakes

Little Saint Germain Lake 972 53 11 X DG C A C C P C PR SG 45.911924, -89.472691

Little Spider Lake (Willies Dr) 223 23 13 X SE P P P P C UR AV 45.966521, -89.710189

Little Spider Lake (Rux Rd) 223 23 13 X SE P P P P C CI AV 45.971502, -89.713593

Little Star Lake 260 67 31 NW X DG C P P CI MW 46.114256, -89.84958 •

Little Tamarack Flowage 236 16 BR DG P C C C PR CO 46.08681, -89.337763

Little Trout Lake 1007 98 25 BR X SE C C P C P P PR LF 46.054433, -89.849945

Lone Tree Lake 130 16 BR SE C P P CI PL 46.043242, -89.504002

Long Lake (South) 886 88 30 BF X DG P P C P C P P CI PH 46.045487, -89.04342

Long Lake (North) 886 88 30 X DG P P C P C P P PR PH 46.080886, -88.994613

Lost Canoe Lake 279 41 T X SE P C C C P C CI BJ 46.079179, -89.59524

Lost Lake 539 20 BR X DG C C C C A PR SG 45.961332, -89.476813

Lower Buckatabon Lake (Buckatabon Creek) 387 16 DG C C C C P A CI CO 46.020601, -89.311306

Lower Buckatabon Lake 387 16 DG C C C C P A UR CO 46.021172, -89.311094

Lower Ninemile Lake 849 5 DG P C C P UR WA 45.905239, -89.089409

Lynx Lake 31 20 BR DG C P C P P C GR WA 45.950799, -89.229451 t

Lynx Lake 307 48 18 BR X DG C P C P C P GR PI 46.190528, -89.669503

Mamie Lake 337 15 10 BR X DG C P C P P C GR LL 46.188649, -89.380483

Manitowish River (Dam Rd Ci) BR CI BJ 46.119517, -89.6048 •

Manitowish River (Dam Rd) GR BJ 46.119213, -89.603859 •

Manitowish River (Hwy 51) BR CI MW 46.136394, -89.91097

Manitowish River (Near Hwy K, Access To Boulder Lake) UR BJ 46.112053, -89.691034

Mann Lake 253 18 5 BR X SP C C GR BJ 45.997338, -89.671048

Manuel Lake 77 9 BR SE P P GR PH 46.025945, -89.107442

Mcleod Lake 54 7 T SE P P UR CO 45.985963, -89.347727

Merrill Lake 24 26 BR SE P P CI LL 46.161742, -89.365438

Middle Sugarbush Lake 254 57 18 DG P P P P P P CI LF 46.029452, -89.903838

Mielke Lake 27 34 13 R X SE C CI AV 45.922582, -89.625555

Mitten Lake 135 23 SE P C C GR LF 45.951301, -89.970341

Mud Creek (Watersmeet Lake) BR C P C C P C PR LI 45.904121, -89.288004 t

Muskellunge Lake 270 19 9 BR X DG P P PR CL 45.958343, -89.37765

Mystery Lake 17 7 W DG C C C P C CI PL 46.055731, -89.565546

Nebish Lake 93 52 18 BR X SE P P GR PL 46.053658, -89.598683

Nichols Lake 37 16 BR SE A C CI BJ 46.105067, -89.684363

Nixon Creek (Nixon Lake) NW C P P P P UR BJ 46.098943, -89.560794

North Turtle Lake 359 58 NW X DG C P C P P C PR WI 46.250456, -89.87615

North Twin Lake (Lakota Rd.) 2871 60 28 BF X DG C C P P C PR CO 46.054609, -89.162373

North Twin Lake (Millerville Ln.) 2871 60 28 X DG C C P P C PR PH 46.057423, -89.101527

Noseeum Lake 20 29 SE P C P UR WI 46.188471, -89.822029

Oberlin Lake 42 25 T SE C C CI AV 45.944006, -89.592966

Oswego Lake 68 17 R SE P P P UR BJ 46.137709, -89.601604

Otter Lake 174 30 12 DG P C C P P C ER 45.94293320, -89.22144930 t

Oxbow Lake 523 44 15 BF X DG P P C P P P PR PI 46.237175, -89.674175

Pallette Lake 180 60 33 W X SE P C C CI PL 46.061442, -89.600644

Palmer Lake 644 13 8 BR X DG C C C C P C GR LL 46.203807, -89.484587

Papoose Lake 422 65 BR X SP C P C P P P PR PI 46.17635, -89.80371

Partridge Lake 235 19 9 T X SP P P C P C UR PL 46.076608, -89.495266

Pauto Lake 18 52 T X SE C CI AV 45.982221, -89.705085

Pickerel Lake 270 26 12 BR X DG C P C P C PR CL 45.978338, -89.378885

Pioneer Lake 429 27 12 BR X DG C P P C C GR CO 46.008342, -89.207615

Plum Lake (North Side) 1057 57 20 X DG C P C P P C PR PL 46.00078, -89.530522

Plum Lake (South Side) 1057 57 20 BR X DG C P C P P C PR PL 45.996892, -89.52867

Pokegama Lake (Flambeau Chain) 1041 65 DG P C C P P C LF 45.99230340, -89.88770010 •

Presque Isle Lake (Bay View Rd) 1165 103 BF X DG C P C P P P PR PI 46.223976, -89.76981

Presque Isle Lake (Cty Hwy P) 1165 103 X DG C P C P P P CI PI 46.210391, -89.792964

Range Line Lake 61 13 W SE P P CI CL 45.9722167, -89.29925

Razorback Lake 381 35 15 BR X SE P C C C C C PR PL 46.024927, -89.529612

Red Bass Lake 27 22 R SE P C C CI PI 46.196999, -89.666054

Rest Lake (Cty Hwy W) 655 53 18 X DG C C C P P C PR MW 46.145937, -89.885296

Rest Lake (Koller Park) 655 53 18 BR X DG C C C P P C CI MW 46.138104, -89.884739 •

Rice Lake 79 7 R DG P P P P P CI CL 45.940585, -89.331064

Robinson Lake 34 20 R X SE P P CI PH 46.030332, -88.9355

Round Lake 173 25 BR DG C C C C PR PI 46.169036, -89.705794

Saint Germain River (Fawn Lake) CI SG 45.918404, -89.532332

Scaffold Lake 21 30 W SE P C C CI AV 45.966509, -89.631939

Scattering Rice Lake 263 17 8 NW X DG C P C P P C UR WA 45.933299, -89.18748 t

Shannon Lake 35 30 15 BR X SE C C C UR SG 45.960686, -89.438096

Shishebogama Lake (Walleye Circle) 700 42 X DG C P C C P C UR LF 45.902776, -89.811224

Shishebogama Lake (Mishonogan Way) 700 42 X DG C P C C P C UR LF 45.903248, -89.803698

Shishebogama Lake (Pokegama Dr) 700 42 X DG C P C C P C UR LF 45.906032, -89.800943

Silver Lake (7th St) 57 19 8 BR,P X SE P C P P A GR ER 45.919486, -89.23982

Silver Lake (Park Access) 57 19 8 X SE P C P P A CI ER 45.922634, -89.239851

715.479.3649 PUBLIC ACCESS WATERWAYS 13

Area (acres)

Max. Depth (ft.)

Mean Depth (ft.)

Public Access

Lake Map

Lake Type

Musky

Northern Pike

Walleye

LM Bass

SM Bass

Panfish

Trout

Landing Type

Landing Location

GPS Latitude/

Longitude

Chain of Lakes

Smoky Lake 612 60 BR SE P P P P PR PH 46.080511, -88.952661

Snipe Lake 2016 15 10 BF X SE C C P C PR CL 45.936119, -89.377477

Snyder Lake 19 15 T SE P P UR PL 46.027276, -89.407466

South Turtle Lake 466 40 BR X DG C P C P P C PR WI 46.217691, -89.891057

South Twin Lake (Twin Lake Rd.) 628 43 20 BR X DG C C P P C PR CO 46.038889, -89.170913

Sparkling Lake (Northeast Side) 157 60 X SE C C P C P CI AV 46.014733, -89.69725

Sparkling Lake (Southeast Side) 157 60 BR X SE C C P C P PR AV 46.006211, -89.695788

Spectacle Lake 166 35 12 BR X SE P C C C C PR PH 46.010831, -89.012271

Spruce Lake 16 16 T SE C A CI PL 46.054356, -89.566103

Star Lake (East Campground) 1219 68 23 BR X DG C P C P P C PR PL 46.02532, -89.466864

Star Lake (West Campground) 1219 68 23 X DG C P C P P C PR PL 46.031926, -89.474924

Starrett Lake 67 19 BR SE P P A P C GR PL 46.024792, -89.575277

Stearns Lake 232 16 6 R X SE P P P P P P CI LF 45.9800015, -89.803371

Stella Lake 95 9 BR DG P P C GR SG 45.974849, -89.459139

Stormy Lake 523 63 33 BR X SE P P C P C PR CO 46.058727, -89.322666

Street Lake 46 22 13 T X SE P C CI BJ 46.095647, -89.707786

Sugar Maple Lake 141 46 14 W X SE P P P C CI PH 46.101685, -89.0741

Tamarack Lake 63 16 NW DG P P P C CI WI 46.233673, -89.855143

Tellefson Lake 19 33 T SE P P CI CL 45.987971, -89.315273

Towanda Lake 139 27 10 BR X SE C P C P C PR AV 45.938337, -89.712417

Trout Lake (Bardon Street, East Side) 3864 117 49 X DG C C C P C C C CI AV 46.040796, -89.684386

Trout Lake (Ben Bendrick Dr) 3864 117 49 X DG C C C P C C C CI AV 46.044029, -89.650254

Trout Lake (North) 3864 117 49 BR X DG C C C P C C C PR BJ 46.06315, -89.646619

Trout Lake (South) 3864 117 49 X DG C C C P C C C PR BJ 46.021696, -89.65506

Trout River (At Cty Hwy H) CI LF 46.03386, -89.772424

Upper Buckatabon Lake 493 47 20 BF X DG C C C C C P A PR CO 46.005776, -89.352155

Upper Gresham 362 32 13 BR,P X DG C P C A PR BJ 46.075516, -89.728148

Upper Sugarbush Lake 141 29 17 X DG C P C P P P UR LF 46.031187, -89.879228

Van Vliet Lake 230 20 BR X SP P P C P C PR PI 46.186684, -89.753112

Vandercook Lake 97 22 BR X SE C C C UR AV 45.985823, -89.681898

Verna Lake 73 23 BR DG P P P C UR AV 45.959789, -89.723702

Wabasso Lake 52 45 BR X SE P C C GR LF 45.972544, -90.000928

West Plum Lake 69 5 BR DG CI PL 45.989533, -89.559449

Wharton Lake 32 19 R SE P P UR PL 46.00566, -89.43183

White Birch Lake 113 27 NW X DG C C P P C CI PL 46.06016, -89.526986

White Sand Lake 1181 63 24 BR X DG C P C P P P GR LF 45.987766, -89.81245

White Sand Lake 746 71 33 BR X DG C P C P C P GR BJ 46.084093, -89.580173

Whitney Lake 226 8 W SP P C P GR BJ 46.12065, -89.729477

Wild Rice Lake 384 26 11 BR X DG C P C P P C PR MW 46.069817, -89.804338 •

Wildcat Lake 293 38 12 BR X DG C C P C C PR PI 46.166322, -89.611445

Wildwood Lake 15 32 16 W X SE C C CI BJ 45.985861, -89.630551

Wisconsin River (At Otter Rapids Dam) CI CL 45.903757, -89.320927

Wisconsin River (Cty Hwy K) R CI CO 46.04765, -89.265408

Wisconsin River (Hwy 45) CI LL 46.140639, -89.206361

Wisconsin River (Hwy 70) GR CL 45.902588, -89.393153

Wisconsin River (Hwy G) PR LI 45.941786, -89.260849

Wisconsin River (River Road) CI CO 46.006284, -89.288941

Wisconsin River (Rummels Rd) CI CO 46.090907, -89.263257

Witches Lake 32 40 X SE P P C C UR AV 45.977972, -89.594794

Wood Lake 13 24 SE C P CI LL 46.159111, -89.355486

Yellow Birch Lake 202 23 11 X DG C P C P P C PR ER 45.926553, -89.240884 t

Record haul

Every year, anglers chase trophies on Vilas County’s lakes.

These waters hold a lot of big fish, and some have even landed

in the record books. There was the 54-inch tiger musky caught

on Lac Vieux Desert in 1919, and the 29-inch silver redhorse

caught in Plum Creek in 1985. There was the 18-pound walleye

landed on High Lake in 1933 and the 4.3-inch mottled sculpin

(they are small!) captured in Gunlock Lake in 2016. Records are

meant to be broken, and they just might be broken here again—

try your luck!

14 PUBLIC ACCESS WATERWAYS

LAKE WATERS BY GAME FISH SPECIES

LAKES

ACRES

Bass............................. 472 ................................ 89,053

Walleye.......................... 209 ................................ 75,706

Musky........................... 198 ................................ 72,451

Northern Pike................. 195 ................................ 59,104

LAKE STATISTICS

LAKES

ACRES

Total Lake Count............ 1,327 ............................. 93,920

Total Lakes Named......... 563 ................................ 91,187

VILAS.ORG

ADVENTURES

SEASONAL

MOMENTS

Every season brings new

opportunities for fun and

relaxation in Vilas County,

and unforgettable moments

are as plentiful as the lakes

and hemlock trees. In the

pages that follow we’ll

detail some of the things

we love to do in Vilas County,

season by season.

SPRING

Warmer weather brings new

opportunities for outdoor

fun, from wildflower hikes to

casting a line on the

opening day of fishing

season. (Page 16)

SUMMER

Enjoy the sun! It’s time to

head out on the water, lace

up your hiking shoes or

explore one of our gorgeous

biking or equestrian trails.

(Page 17)

FALL

Bring your camera--our trees

explode with color in the

fall. Bike through the forest,

enjoy a fall color hike, ride

an ATV route or simply go

for a drive and admire the

incredible scenery. (Page 18)

WINTER

Snow, snow, snow! Get

ready for a mountain of the

white stuff and awesome

opportunities for winter fun,

thanks to our prime location

in the Lake Superior

snowbelt. (Page 19)

Points

of interest

Look for these

points of interest

#

throughout the

guide and chart your

adventure on pages 22-23.

715.479.3649 ADVENTURES 15

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 options for spring adventure.

• Ride the HEART OF VILAS COUNTY PAVED BIKE

TRAIL SYSTEM—52 miles of paved trail connecting

St. Germain, Sayner-Star Lake, Boulder Junction,

Manitowish Waters and Mercer.

• Birdwatchers: catch the spring migration at POWELL

MARSH 1 , a birding hotspot with over 200 different

bird species spotted. It’s located between Manitowish

Waters and Lac du Flambeau.

• Explore the 1.5 million-acre CHEQUAMEGON-NICOLET

NATIONAL FOREST 2 via the Franklin Trail, east of

Eagle River.

• Take in the NORTHERN HIGHLAND-AMERICAN LEGION

STATE FOREST 3 —a good place to start is the

Escanaba-Pallette Lake Trails in Boulder Junction.

• Looking for a place to relax or enjoy a picnic? A good

spot: WAVERING PARK 4 in Phelps—it’s a pleasant

park with family-friendly recreational facilities.

16 ADVENTURES

Shareable Vilas

Did it really happen if you didn’t get a picture? Sure it did, but

isn’t it more fun to share a little of the Vilas County magic? The

county is fi lled with Instagram-worthy spots that are too good to

miss. Here are some sure bets.

• LITTLE BOHEMIA 5

As soon as you arrive at this Manitowish Waters supper club,

get your phone out. This classic restaurant has actual bullet

holes and a “getaway car” from a 1930s shootout between

John Dillinger and the FBI.

• BLACKJACK SPRINGS WILDERNESS AREA 6

Is this Alaska or Wisconsin? It will be hard to tell in photos

you shoot in this remote area near Phelps.

• CRANBERRY MARSHES

Instagram gold in Manitowish Waters and Eagle River.

• CATHEDRAL POINT 7

Stroll this spectacular peninsula studded with 130-foot-tall

pines near Boulder Junction.

• VAN VLIET HEMLOCKS STATE NATURAL AREA 8

Giant trees and carpets of ferns make this trail near Presque

Isle a must-hike.

VILAS.ORG

ADVENTURE: SUMMER

Life here is simple and timeless in the summer—long, warm

days are meant to be spent in Vilas County’s lakes and

forests. From boating and fishing to hiking and biking, active

travelers will have no problem finding new adventures. It’s

also the season of lakeside sunsets, naps in the hammock

and cookouts by the beach. Set your day in motion or enjoy

the freedom of having nothing to do but relax.

Here are some options for summer adventure.

• Relax on a beach—you have a lot of beautiful choices.

One relaxing spot: HUNTER LAKE 9 in Conover. See

more beach options on page 8.

• Go paddling—a wild and scenic route is the GUIDO

RAHR SR. TENDERFOOT FOREST PRESERVE TRAIL

between Land O’ Lakes and Presque Isle.

• Enjoy a picnic—carry-out options are available in most

restaurants and you’re never far from a tranquil park or

wildlife area.

• Go PONTOONING. Use your own boat or rent one here—

they can be delivered to nearly any lake. See some

cruising options on page 9.

• Explore Vilas County’s growing system of ATV/UTV trails

and routes.

• If you own a horse, check out the TORCH LAKE TRAILS,

SKI HILL TRAILS and PIONEER CREEK TRAILS in

Conover.

• Off-road motorcycle riders: explore 14 miles of single

track on the TAMARACKS OFF-HIGHWAY MOTORCYCLE

TRAIL in Conover.

Hiking with our four-legged friends

Grab the leash: Vilas County has trails that are awesome for

a hike with a furry friend. Our scenic trails offer something for

everyone—you’ll enjoy some of the county’s best forest scenery and

your companion will find plenty to sniff! Here are some of our petapproved

hiking trails.

• DEEP LAKE TRAILS – CONOVER

If you love water, this trail is a great bet. The trail system travels

past gorgeous lakes and through stands of aspen, pine and

northern hardwoods.

• TRAMPERS TRAILS – SAYNER-STAR LAKE

Would you like to hear the call of the wild? Explore these trails.

The rugged and winding trails will take you through the forest to

the edge of beautiful Star Lake.

• SPECTACLE LAKE – PHELPS

This scenic trail travels through a colorful deciduous forest

between two campgrounds. Leashed pets are welcome, but only

guide dogs are allowed on the beach.

• VAN VLIET HEMLOCKS – PRESQUE ISLE

Enjoy a little time travel—this trail will take you through a forest

that escaped logging and development. Pass towering trees and

get a feel of what the county was like hundreds of years ago.

• FERN RIDGE – ST. GERMAIN

Go for a wildflower hike on this short but rugged looping trail

near St. Germain. The trails are also beautiful in the fall and

winter, so it’s a good bet for a hike even when the blossoms

aren’t out.

715.479.3649 ADVENTURES 17

ADVENTURE: FALL

Scenic fall drives

There’s no shortage of gorgeous scenery to discover in Vilas

County. Here are some road routes you can follow to experience

the beauty yourself—they offer brilliant fall color but are worth

exploring in any season.

• NICOLET-WOLF RIVER SCENIC BYWAY

This scenic 147-mile route will take you through the beauty

of Vilas, Oneida, Forest and Langlade Counties. Experience

the amazing diversity of wildlife, trails and outdoor activities

amidst breathtaking fall color in the Chequamegon-Nicolet

National Forest.

• RUSTIC ROAD 60

Take this tranquil 12-mile route through the heart of the

Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest. It runs from

Cty. Rd. K south of Boulder Junction to Cty. Rd. M in Sayner-

Star Lake. You’ll drive past former logging camps, hiking trails

and an old sawmill.

• PRESQUE ISLE TO LAND O’ LAKES

The drive is about 30 miles, and it passes through some

beautiful fall scenery that’s largely devoid of power lines. It’s

an easy route to follow; just stay on Cty. Hwy. B. Heading east

out of Presque Isle, you’ll pass the turnoff for the Catherine

Wolter Wilderness Area, a 2,189-acre site that’s a great place

for a fall hike.

Every fall, Vilas County’s dense forests explode with

breathtaking color displays, making it an incredible time to

visit. This is the season of fall color drives, scenic hikes,

rides through the leaves and evenings by the fire with

friends and family. The season passes quickly—peak colors

arrive in late September/early October, but travel outside of

peak time rewards visitors with late season serenity and a

great opportunity to view birds and wildlife.

Here are some options for your fall adventure.

• Tour a CRANBERRY MARSH—this colorful (and

photogenic!) activity can be enjoyed from July to early

October in Manitowish Waters and Eagle River.

• Pedal through the leaves—the WLT-LAND O’ LAKES

BIKE TRAIL 10 will take you past some wild forests and

the incredibly clear BLACK OAK LAKE.

• Experience fall colors from the seat of a canoe. One

scenic route is the MANITOWISH RIVER near Boulder

Junction—you’ll travel through some gorgeous stretches

of state forest.

• Book a colorful tee time—Vilas County’s scenic GOLF

COURSES are spectacular as the leaves turn.

• CRANBERRY COUNTRY TOUR

To see some of Vilas County’s famous cranberry marshes,

take a drive on Alder Lake Road. There’s a market and marsh

you can visit on the route; others are not open to the public

but can be seen from the road. South Townline Road or

Powell Road will get you back to U.S. Hwy. 51.

• LAND O’ LAKES TO EAGLE RIVER (VIA PHELPS)

A nice fall driving route will take you through eastern Vilas

County. Take U.S. Hwy. 45 until you hit Cty. Hwy. E, where

you’ll head east to Phelps. From Phelps, meander southwest

on Hwy. 17 past North Twin Lake and continue south on U.S.

Hwy. 45 into Eagle River.

SUNSET PADDLE ON STAR LAKE

Jeanne B. | Star Lake

Photo taken while on vacation at Star Lake.

18 ADVENTURES

VILAS.ORG

ADVENTURE: WINTER

Vilas County has all the traditional trappings of a

Northwoods family destination: cozy cabins, family-friendly

restaurants and of course, lots of beautiful snow-filled

forests. Every winter the county is buried with fresh, dazzling

white snow—Vilas County receives an average of 100 to

125 inches of snow each winter! While amounts can vary by

year and community, you’re still sure to find plenty of winter

fun. This is the place for snowmobiling, snowshoeing, crosscountry

skiing or just enjoying timeless winter scenery. Here

are some of our favorite winter adventures.

• Experience fat biking on the outstanding groomed

WINMAN TRAILS, located between Winchester and

Manitowish Waters. You’ll find great winter fat biking and

cross-country skiing opportunities.

• Visit the trails for a snowshoe adventure—the NORTH

LAKELAND DISCOVERY CENTER in Manitowish Waters

has marked routes and snowshoes available for rental.

• Go ice fishing. You’ve got more than 1,300 frozen lakes

to choose from! Need somewhere to start? Try the

popular LITTLE ST. GERMAIN LAKE in St. Germain.

• Enjoy a SCENIC WINTER DRIVE. Our snow-draped

forests are simply magical. Chart your own course or

check out one of our scenic driving routes on page 18.

• Head to snowmobiling heaven. Visit the ST. GERMAIN

SNOWMOBILING HALL OF FAME or the WORLD

SNOWMOBILE HEADQUARTERS in Eagle River.

• Hitch up your furry companion and go skijoring on the

SHANNON LAKE TRAIL. (Skijoring is a winter sport in

which a person on skis is pulled by a dog.)

• Glide over ice. You’ll find lots of great ice-skating spots,

including the SNOWFLAKE ICE RINK in Land O’ Lakes.

Snowmobile history

Snowmobile adventures started in the Vilas County community of

Sayner. The snowmobile was invented here by Carl Eliason, who

constructed a “motor toboggan” in 1924. The sled was small and

powered by a 2.5-horsepower outboard boat motor, but it helped

launch a worldwide recreational activity. Learn more about the

story at a historical marker, located at 217 Main St. in Sayner.

LOVE IN THE NORTHWOODS

Cassidy S. | St. Germain

We enjoyed two of our favorite things this day: snowmobiling and

being in the Northwoods.

Snowmobiling details

Vilas County has all the ingredients of a great snowmobiling

destination: a vast network of trails, large amounts of snow every

winter and amazing scenery. Here are four things to know before

you head out on our trails.

• Get ready to ride: We have more than 700 miles of premier,

well-marked trails, most groomed nightly, by the 11 Vilas

County snowmobile clubs. Use the free Map It Vilas County

trails app (pg. 27) to find your way.

• Rentals are available in Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters,

Eagle River, St. Germain, Land O’ Lakes and the Minocqua

area. Retailers have all the gear you need to stay warm.

• Our hotels and restaurants welcome snowmobiles. Eagle

River, Sayner-Star Lake and St. Germain are recognized by

the AWSC (Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs) as

Snowmobile Friendly Cities.

• We’re pretty proud of our snowmobiling tradition. Some of

the state’s first trails were built here and Eagle River is the

Snowmobile Capital of the World®!

715.479.3649 ADVENTURES 19

SHOPPING & DINING

SAMPLE THE BEST

SHOPPING

From eclectic boutiques and gift shops

to well-equipped sporting goods stores,

Vilas County is a place that offers plenty

of retail therapy. Here’s a sample of what

you can discover in the county’s charming

communities.

OUTDOOR FINDS

Vilas County is not only a place for

adventure—it’s a place that equips outdoors

people. You’ll find sporting goods shops

selling the latest gear at competitive prices.

One of the best parts about shopping at

these stores is the deep knowledge

employees and owners of these retailers

have about what they are selling—when

they’re not in the store, you’ll probably find

them on the lake or in the woods. If you’re

not sure what you’re looking for, they’re there

to help and they have lots of great advice

about our lakes and forests. One shop in

downtown Eagle River will even outfit your dog!

ARTS & CRAFTS

The Northwoods’ natural beauty has long

inspired some of Wisconsin’s most beloved

artists and craftspeople. You can find their

unique work, and the work of other regional

and national talents, in Vilas County’s shops

and galleries. You’ll never have more fun

finding the perfect gift or home décor item.

FLAVOR TO GO

Vilas County shops sell a delicious variety

of jams, jellies and other sweet delights.

You’ll also find handcrafted salsas, hot

chocolate mixes, sauces and an

abundance of cranberry and wild rice

products that are native to this area.

These items are all delicious, and many

are not available elsewhere. Build a

basket for a friend or treat yourself!

NORTHWOODS APPAREL

Shop for a special occasion, whether

that’s an upcoming wedding or a date with

a forest trail. Our county’s retailers are

stocked with all the apparel you’ll need

to get through the frostiest mornings and

warmest summer afternoons. We even

have specialty boutiques where you can

find one-of-a-kind fashions.

HOME DECOR

Bring a little bit of Vilas County into your

home. Discover the perfect home accent—

you’ll find everything from plaid to pine.

DINING

Great food is an important part of every

Vilas County vacation or getaway and the

county’s restaurants serve up flavors as

big as the Northwoods. Many

establishments have carry-out service

available, and outdoor dining options are

available too, so you can enjoy your meal

anywhere. Here’s a taste of what you’ll find.

SUPPER CLUBS

These restaurants are practically

institutions, celebrated by visitors and

locals alike, and are decorated with trophy

fish, old photos and perhaps even a few

Christmas lights. Arrive early and savor

your experience at a Vilas County supper

club. Order a classic old fashioned—sweet

or sour, fruit or olives, the choice is yours.

Savor a traditional Wisconsin fish fry, order

up a rack of ribs or sample some deliciously

tender prime rib. Save room for the perfect

throwback dessert: an ice cream drink!

PUBS

There’s always a barstool or table waiting

for you in Vilas County’s friendly pubs.

You’ll be greeted by great flavors and

friendly atmosphere—you’ll find burgers

loaded with deliciousness and fried

cheese curds and homemade chips that

can’t be resisted. There’s always something

cold and refreshing on tap, as well

as some of the best Bloody Marys in the

world. Planning a summer getaway? Many

of our pubs have outside seating during

the warmer months.

FAMILY RESTAURANTS

If your crew is hungry, you’re in the right

place. Vilas County restaurants serve up

crowd-pleasing delicacies like hand tossed

pizza, as well as entrees to fit anyone’s

taste and budget. After a day on the lakes

or trails, there’s nothing like settling into a

Northwoods restaurant, where the

portions are as generous as the service.

The only question: table or booth?

20 SHOPPING & DINING

VILAS.ORG

LODGING

ENJOY A PERFECT STAY

A trip to the Northwoods is an opportunity to relax, breathe in the clean air and escape from your everyday worries. Since

the 1800s, Vilas County’s 12 communities have been catering to vacationers looking to relax, fish and enjoy the beauty of

the Northwoods. Many rental cabins, resorts and other lodging properties in Vilas County are family-owned. You’ll get the

best possible care from people who know and love Wisconsin’s Northwoods.

ACCOMMODATIONS

HOTELS AND MOTELS

Enjoy a trip that’s as easy as it is comfortable. Vilas County

has a large number of lodging properties, from small

family-owned motels to large chain hotels. Enjoy a clean,

comfortable room and amenities that will complete your

trip. Some properties have indoor pools; others offer free

breakfast in the morning. All are close to Vilas County’s

attractions and outdoor beauty.

CABINS AND RENTAL HOMES

Experience privacy, tranquility and a spectacular view from

the living room—you’ll find it all in Vilas County’s cabins and

rental homes. From cute and cozy log cabins to expansive

lake homes that can accommodate large groups, you’ll find

a rental that’s just the right size. There are places available

on lakes and trails as well as properties tucked into quiet

corners of the forest.

RESORTS

Discover why generations of families choose to return

year after year to Vilas County’s resorts, so start your own

tradition today. Friendly resort owners will ensure your trip is

unforgettable.

CAMPING

Sleep under the stars in one of Vilas County’s well-equipped

campgrounds. You’ll find plenty of camping options in

Vilas County, from county-owned land to state and national

forests, as well as privately owned campgrounds. Whether

you’re into rustic camping, luxurious glamping or something

in between, there’s a site for you.

Learn more about lodging at vilaswi.com/lodging.

715.479.3649 LODGING 21

$

Rd

Twin

Pines Rd

COUNTY

Palmer Rd

Propwash

Bay Rd

COUNTY

N Farming Rd

S Farming Rd

Rd

Gross

COUNTY

Evergreen Ln

(

COUNTY

Plum

Lake Dr

VILAS COUNTY

Tucker Lake

Hemlocks

(

Apeekwa Lake

Amik

Lake

Island Club Ln

(

(

Wabasso

Chequamegon Forest Trl

Chequamegon

National

Forest

COUNTY MAP

Icon Key

( Boat Ramp

. Carry-In Lake Access

! Portage Area

F Fishing Pier

Headwater

Lakes

Chippewa

Trail

FS916 Rd

W Squaw Lake Rd

Lake

Ln

Chippewa Trl

Å/

(

Bills Lake Rd

W River Trl

!

33

.

(

(

(

(

!! 60 35

!

34

F

!

36

(

"

(

Papoose

.

Big Lake

Creek Pines

(

( !

!

63

Clear

!

27

5a

Lake

.

(

!.

F

(

!

5b

Big

5

(

Crooked

Northern

.

Lake

Highland

(

2! ( !

51 5a

State Forest

65

5b

!

5

!

4

Manitowish

5

(

Whitney

.(

!

Waters

Lake ½K

."

(

!

. !

18

5b

!

64 !

3

Nichols .

(

Lake

Boulder

Northern

(

Highland

State Forest

.

Junction

3

Powell Marsh

.

Wildlife Area

!

5

1

!

6

COUNTY

2

(

½

51 M

½H

F(

!

5b

!

6

Lost !

(

( !

29

Little

Day

!

Pallette

Trout

Wild Rice

Lake

! Lake

Lake

!

Lake

(

.

(

(

(

7

Ike

Walton

Northern

Lake

Highland

.

State Forest

Trout

Lake

F

(

(

!

5b

Allequash

(

Lake and

Pines

!

6 Trout

(

River

2 51 ( (

Trout Lake

Conifer

.

Swamp

½H

Northern

COUNTY

Highland

( ½N

(

COUNTY

State Forest

.!

5b (

.

½M

!

48

.

( . (

Camp Lake

.

and Pines

!

10

(

.

.

.

!

14

.

Northern

Highland

State Forest

Lac du

F(

Flambeau

.

Black

( Tern Bog

.

F

Devine Lake and (

Mishonagon Creek

.

Fence

( Lake

.

COUNTY

½D

(

Bi ersweet

Crawling

Lakes

(

Stone Lake

2 51

(

E Circle Lily Rd

(

.

Kep ple r Rd

.

(

Winchester

Powell Rd

Makwa

Trl

!

54

Li le Trout Rd

River Rd

Alder Lake Rd

Thorofare Rd

Alder Lake Rd

(

(

(

(

Presque

(

Isle

COUNTY

(

½

Arbor

F

.

70 Vitae

.

(

/ 70

(

E Squaw Lake Rd

Mi en Lake Rd

Pa erson

Hemlocks

Lake Rd

W Clear

Deer Trl

to Mercer

E Tippecanoe Rd

Indian Village Rd

Buckskin

Lake

Old Prairie Rd

Bo-Di-Lac Dr

Å/ 47

S Turtle Lake Rd

N Indian

Village Rd

Circle

Lily Lake

Flambeau

Lake

(

Mary

Lake

COUNTY

½J

Sugarbush Trl

W Pokegama

A d elaid e

Lake Trl

D r

Tower Rd

Marathon Rd

Cemetery Rd

Old County O

Toy Lake

Swamp

No Mans

Lake

W

Pelkola Rd

Dead

Pike Lake

Long

Interlaken Lake

South Turtle Lake

Northern

Highland

State Forest

Old County O

Moss

Silver Beach Dr

Rock

Pokegama Lake Trl

Rd

Lake

North Turtle

Lake

Rest

Lake

Li le Pines Rd

Lake Dr

McKinney Ln

COUNTY

½W

COUNTY

½O

Ln

Indian Waters

Red Feather Rd

Camp

Nawakwa Ln

W Birch

La ke R d

Papoose Lake Rd

Little

Star

Lake

Park

Camp Wipigaki Ln

Mud Lake

Rd

W Harris Lake Rd

Birch

Lake

W Fawn Lake Rd

Manitowish

Lake

Cranberry Blvd

Big Crooked Lake Ln

Harris

Lake

Clear

E Harris Lake Rd

Point O'

E Birch

(

Sunrise Camp Rd

Old County W

Lake Rd

Lake Rd

Pines Rd

Alder

Lake

COUNTY

½K

Ike Walton Trl

E Fence Lake Rd

!

28

Rintleman Rd

Wildwood Rd

Townline Rd

Duner

Point

Papoose Lake Rd

Ln

Papoose

Lake

Florshiem Rd

Papoose

.

Landing Rd

Fallon Rd

W

Lake

La Fave Rd

Stearns Lake Rd

APPROXIMATE DRIVE TIMES

Chicago.....................................6 hrs

Milwaukee ................................4 hrs

Minneapolis...............................4 hrs

Green Bay................................. 3 hrs

Island

Lake

Murphy Lake Rd

Winegar

Rd

COUNTY

½P

Big

Ln

Shore Dr

Plummer Lake Rd

Old W

Island Lake Rd

Big Lake Rd

Bakken Rd

E Boundary Trl

Rd

S Bay View Rd

Presque

Isle Lake

E Boundary Trl

W Van Vliet Rd

E Boundary Trl

!

51

Newcomb

Å/ 47

Crab Lake Rd

!

8

Keego Rd

Ln

8

Viola Ln

Gresham Rd

Hall Rd

Stateline Rd

!

7

Dock Rd

S Crab Lake Rd

Rice

Creek

E Keego Rd

Town

Rd

Rux

Crab

Lake

Bear Lake Rd

Whitney

Lake

Horsehead

Lake

E Armour Rd

Armour

Lake

Northern

Highland

State Forest

(

(

.

Round Lake Rd

Ln

Pomeroy Lake Rd

Oxbow Rd

(

Wihega Rd

Airport Rd

(

Day Lake Rd

Schuman Rd

Snyder Rd

BowRd

(

(

Mc Dowell Rd

N Old Hwy 51 Rd

.

(

Rudolph Rd

( (

(

to Minocqua Woodruff

Country Ln

COUNTY

½B

North Creek Rd

$

(

Annabelle

Lake

Island

Lynx Lake Rd

S Old Hwy 51 Rd

Kern Ln

East Bay Rd

Lynx Lake

Townline Rd

!

4

Wolf

Lake

Boulder

Lake

Ben Bendrick Dr

Vandercook Rd

Buckhorn Rd

Mann Lake

Big Arbor

Vitae Lake

Airport Rd

LAND STATISTICS

County Land Acres.............554,624

Public Acres:

State of Wisconsin...............150,220

U.S. Forest Service.................53,585

County Owned....................... 41,047

Town Owned.............................3,394

Total Public Land...............248,246

See Trail Grid on page 25.

Border

Lakes

Big Arbor

Vitae Dr

!

19

F(

Dairymens Rd

Wildcat Rd

Old K Rd

High Lake Rd

Nebish Lake Rd

F(

½B

(

Big Muskellunge Lake Rd

Witches Lake Rd

Big Muskellunge

Lake

Å

Fishtrap Lake Rd

Plum Vitae Rd

!

. !

(

!

.

!

( .

Blue Island Rd

Little Arbor

Vitae

Lake

(

(

Old N Rd

Witches Lake Rd

Northern

Highland

State Forest

Partridge Ln

Lake

9

(

.

Ridge Ln

White

Sand

Lake

Fishtrap Lake

Lost Canoe

Lake

Canoe

Escanaba

.

3

18

(

!

!

!

(

.

High

. (

!

39

!

5c

Ross Lake Rd

Pines

!

Nebish Lake Rd

Starre

Rd

Dunn

Lake

Natural Area Forest

Land

Nixon

Lake

Ln

COUNTY

½K

(

.

Nixon Lake Rd

F

(

.

.

Big Muskellunge Lake Rd

Northern

Highland

State Forest

!

53

State-Owned

Island

High Lake

Gibson

( .

(

(

(

!

5c

Plum Creek Ave

Lake Rd

Aurora

Lake

!

Bear Springs Rd

Razorback Rd

COUNTY

½C

5d .

.

(

(

Sayner

!

5d

Border Creek Rd

Lake

Tenderfoot

(

High Lake Rd

Razorback Rd

Old White Birch Rd

Gulch Rd

Razorback Lake

Camp

Highland Rd

Plum

Lake

Deadmans

!

53

Other

Nixon Lake Rd

Rearing Pond Rd

Big St

Germain

Lake

(

Jute

Johnson

Lake Barrens

and Springs

Partridge

Lake

.

Lake Rd

(

50

!

!

50

!

!

Plum

Hem

For

Lakewood Dr

Birch Spring Rd

Palmer

Lake

Sixteen Rd

Big St. Germain Dr

Lake

Content

Forest

Land

Trails

Old B Rd

Lake A

Birch-He

Ballard

Lake

N Star L

155

Å/

N

H

Sta

N Lost L

!

2

62

TRAIL KEY

Land Trails Hard Surface Trails

Snowmobile Trails ATV/UTV Trails/Routes

Routes

Equestrian Trails

Off-Highway Motorcycling

Paddling Routes

Points of Interest

!

38

22 COUNTY MAP

VILAS.ORG

Ln

South Bay Rd

McLeod

Zeman Rd

Carlson Rd

(

(

Rd

Adams

Sundstein Rd

Rd

Town Hall

COUNTY

Shore Rd

West

Rd

Schroeder

Rd

Deerskin Rd

Hunters Rd

Military Rd

( .

End Rd

orthern

ighland

te Forest

lva

mlock

Camp 2 Rd

(

ake Rd

(

( F

!

46

Lake

lock

est

ake Dr

!

11

(

Pedycort Rd

(

(

(

St.

Germain

(

Sunrise

Camp 2 Rd

Star

Lake

COUNTY

½N

Lost

Lake

Big

!

5d

Lake

Landing Rd

(

.

Star

Lake

.

Juve Rd

Meadowland

Dorothy Dunn Rd

Irving

Lake

COUNTY

½B

Jean Lake Rd

Found Lake Rd

Northern

Highland

State Forest

Four Corner Ln

Halberstadt Rd

PADDLING ROUTES

1

2

3

4

5

Point Rd

W Lake Laura Rd

Found

Lake

Birchwood Dr

.

WI River Centennial Trail Trip #1

25 miles

WI River Centennial Trail Trip #2

23 miles

NHAL Canoe Trip #1

7.5 miles

NHAL Canoe Trip #2

6.1 miles

NHAL Canoe Trip #3

15.5 miles

Big

Lake

!

41

(

(

Tower

Lake

Laura

Lake Laura

Hardwoods

(

Deadman Lake Rd

Muskellunge Creek Rd

Lake Rd

Shields Rd

COUNTY

½O

West

Bay

Lake

Nine Web Rd

(

Vilas

County

Forest

Old Hwy 70

(

White Spruce Fire

Wharton Rd

COUNTY

½G

Dads Lake Rd

Helen Creek Rd

Indian

Pincherry

Birchwood Dr

Lake Rd

Lake Rd

Indian

(

. F

Ln

Star Lake Rd

Lake Rd

Old B Rd

.

!

52

Clair Fire Ln

!

17

(

!

22 F

Ewald

Rd

Snipe Lake Fire Ln

Lake

(

Thousand

W Forest Lake Rd

Game Trl

Langley Lake

Star

(

Lake

Forest

!

43

Island Lake Rd

Decker Lake Fire

Wood Duck Lake Rd

(

Mamie

Lake

Lac du Lune

Pickerel

Lake

Spring Creek Rd

N Forest Lake Rd

Rd

(

(

Musky Rd

Wilderness Trl

(

10

(

(

Baker Lake Rd

Vilas

County

Forest

Vilas

County

Forest

Lake

!

6

Ln

Pickerel Lake Rd

F.

!

15

E F o rest

Lak e Rd

Marshall

Lake Fire Ln

Claire Fire Ln

Three Springs Rd

Walts Fire Ln

Snipe

Lake

Spring

Lake

Ka

!

( 8

.

(

!

2

W Buckatabon Rd

COUNTY

½S

Upper

Buckatabon

Springs

(

Lake Rd

(

Anderson Lake Rd

e Lake Fire Ln

Sunset Rd

S Black Oak

Lake Rd

F(

E Flowage Rd

E Buckatabon Rd

Star Lake Rd

River Rd

Sunset

Lake

Moccasin

Rummels Rd

(

Lake Rd

Baker

F.

(

W Stormy Lake Rd

COUNTY

½K

Å/ 70

N Black Oak

Tamarack Rd

Rearing

Pond Rd

Lake Rd

Stormy

Lake

Lower

Buckatabon Lake

Boot

Lake

9

(

E Hunter Lake Rd

COUNTY

½G

.!

Black

Oak Lake

Lake

Rd

F

F

(

!

8

Deep Lake Rd

Boot

Perch Lake Rd

Cloverland

Dr

E

Stormy

Lake Rd

W Big Portage Lake Rd

Mathwig

!

7

Lake Rd

Creek Trl

!

8

Forest Rd

Heart Lake Rd

Habitat Area

COUNTY

½H

Big

Portage

Lake

.

Buchanon Rd

(

Vilas

County

Forest

Vilas

County

Forest

2 45

Forest Land

!

40

Spruce

Grouse

Swamp

.

Vilas

County

Forest

!

13

!

23

!

37

Conover ½K

.

! 59

!

1

! 31

"

! 49

(

! 42

( F

Å/ 17

!

2

2 45

(

Å/ 17

Croker Rd

6

53

15a !

Big Portage Lake Rd

E Big Portage

Lake Rd

Cemetery

Torch Lake Rd

River Rd

Illinois Rd

NHAL Canoe Trip #5

19 miles

Guido Rahr Sr. Tenderfoot Forest

Preserve Access Route

3 miles

!

15b

Rd

Razorback Rd

(

Rummels Rd

!

26 (

F

F (

(

Li le Portage

Lake Rd

Loon Lake Rd

Ski

Hill Rd

Dyer

Rd

Land O'

Lakes

Old 45 Rd

Old 26 Rd

McKinley Blvd

COUNTY

½B

Razorback Rd

Church Rd

Fire Lane Rd

Pioneer Rd

Silver Lake Rd

!

55

!

47

Pioneer

Creek

(

Bloom Rd

Trl

Chicago Ave

White Pine Dr

Eagle

River

Morey Rd

Eagle Lake Rd

!

16

(

.

!

1

Ca

2 45

Dollar

Lake Rd

Pioneer

Lake

.

Deerskin Rd

(

ish Lake Rd

Bloom Rd

S Crystal

Lake Rd

Monheim Rd

Columbus Rd

Chain O'

Eagle

Lake

C

Lake

Crystal Lake Rd

Muskrat Creek Rd

Shangri La Rd

Lakes Rd

(

WEagle

aters

Blong Rd

Scattering

Rice Lake

Rd

Evergreen Rd

Haymeadow

Creek

Rangeline Rd

Å/ 70

Twin Lake Rd

FS2567 Rd

(

COUNTY

½E

South

Twin

Lake

(

(

(

N Carpenter

Lake

Cranberry

(

.!

Valeria Rd

W Carpenter Lake Rd

E Cranberry Lake Rd

(

Indian Rd

Lake Rd

FS2470 Rd

Beaver

Creek

Deerskin Rd

Herdner Rd

Nicolet

National

Forest

Nicolet

National

Forest

Carpenter

Lake

W Bass Lake Rd

North

Twin

Lake

!

57

Forest

Land

Bass Lake

E Bass

Lake Rd

Dam Rd

Lac Vieux

Desert

South Shore Rd

Blong Rd

Å/ 17

Spring Meadow Ln

Nine Mile Rd

(

Deerskin

Kelloggs Rd

(

Indian Rd

Lower

Ninemile

Lake

!

30

F

St. Louis Rd

FS2437 Rd

(

Sugar Maple Rd

!

56

(

.

(

Coveyville Rd

Strong Rd

Blackjack

Springs

6

4

Nicolet

National

Forest

Public Access

Indian Rd

Half and

Half Ln

Phelps

2

Board Bridge Rd

!

61

(

Bu

COUNTY

½A

Kentuck Lake Rd

Military Rd

Anvil Lake

Anvil

Lake Trail

POINTS OF INTEREST

E Anvil Lake Rd

!

1

.

Nicolet

National

Forest

ernut Lake Rd

Nicolet

National

Forest

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Lake Rd

Boot

.

Kentuck Lake Rd

Imogene Lake Rd

Pat

Shay

Lake

Powell Marsh

Chequamegon-Nicolet

National Forest

Northern Highland-American

Legion State Forest

Wavering Park

Little Bohemia

Blackjack Springs Wilderness

Area

Cathedral Point

Van Vliet Hemlocks

Hunter Lake

WLT-Land O’ Lakes Bike Trail

Find more info on these points of interest

on pages 16-19.

Norwood Lake Ln

Winding Trail Ln

Old 70 Rd

Long Lake

!

25

( F

Spectacle Lake Ln

Davies Rd

Eagle

(

NW Tu

Å/ 17

Farm

le Rd

Rd

Range Rd

(

!

44

Kentuck

Lake

!

( 12-1

12-2

!

(

(

Big Sand

Lake

Kentuck

Lake

Nicolet

National

Forest

FS2463 Rd

Gravel

Mail Route Rd

Pit Rd

Robinson Lake Rd

(

0 2 4

Miles

VILAS COUNTY

LAND INFO / MAPPING

I

FS2555 Rd

(

For more information on trails,

visit trails.vilas.org

715.479.3649 COUNTY MAP 23

VILAS COUNTY PUBLIC LANDS

FIND WILD PLACES

Nearly 43 percent of Vilas County is open to the public for recreation,

including national, state, and county-owned public lands. These lands

include wild forests dotted with glacial lakes and backcountry rivers,

offering opportunities for biking (road/hybrid biking and mountain

biking), boating, canoeing and kayaking, hiking and more. Winter trails

are open for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, fat tire biking, and

skijoring. Here are some details about our public lands:

VILAS COUNTY FOREST

• This beautiful forest covers nearly 41,000 acres and sprawls

across seven townships.

• There are 13 public boat landings and 7 improved shore fishing

sites in the forest, including 5 ADA piers.

• The county maintains 11 hunter walking trails with more than 90

miles of improved accesses, closed to motor vehicles for hunters

of various mobility levels.

• ATV/UTV trails and routes pass through the county forest.

• In addition, there are also special trails for equestrian users.

NORTHERN HIGHLAND-AMERICAN LEGION STATE FOREST

• This state forest was established in 1925 to protect the

headwaters of the Wisconsin, Flambeau and Manitowish Rivers.

It covers more than 232,000 acres, and Vilas County has over

150,000 acres of state forest land.

• It is home to the highest concentration of lakes in Wisconsin.

• Adventurers can enjoy winter camping opportunities.

• The forest includes a top spot for hiking and biking: the

Lumberjack Trail in Boulder Junction.

• There are two visitor centers: the Clear Lake Visitor Station south of

Woodruff and the Crystal Lake Visitor Station in Boulder Junction.

CHEQUAMEGON-NICOLET NATIONAL FOREST

• This 1.5 million-acre forest covers a large swath of northern

Wisconsin and covers an eastern area of Vilas County. It includes

vast remote tracts, including hardwood forests, pine savannas,

wetlands, bogs and scores of glacial lakes.

• Visitors can see the Anvil Lake Campground Shelter, a structure

built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936. The nearby

Anvil Lake Trail is a great place for bird-watching, including the

chickadees in the winter.

• The Franklin Lake Campground features additional historic

buildings constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

• The Eagle River-Florence Ranger District office is located at 1247

E. Wall St. in Eagle River

• You can drive a portion of the Nicolet-Wolf River Scenic Byway along

Old Military Road near Eagle River. The road is located on a wagon

route constructed between 1864 and 1870 from Fort Howard in

Green Bay to Fort Wilkins in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula.

24 VILAS COUNTY PUBLIC LANDS

VILAS.ORG

TRAIL GRID

SEE TRAIL LOCATIONS ON MAP ON PAGES 22-23.

Bike Repair Station

Water

Fee/Pass Req'd

Disabled Access

Snowshoeing

Leashed Pets

Birdwatching

XC Skiing

Equestrian

Hunting

Picnic Area

Restroom

Hiking

Biking

Shelter

TRAIL NAME # LENGTH AREA ç * 2 Ä I $ ö ` ô $ m b v 7 Z

Anvil Lake Trail ! 1 12 mi Eagle River ● M G ● ● ● ● ● ●

Awassa Nature Preserve & Hiking Trail ! 2 Various St. Germain ● W G ● ●

Boulder Junction Winter Park ! 3 0.9 mi Boulder Junction ● G ● ● ●

Catherine Wolter Wilderness Area ! 4 Various Presque Isle ● G ● ● ● ●

Heart of Vilas County - Mercer Bike Trail !! 5 7 mi Man. Wat./Mercer ● P ● ● ● ● ● ●

Heart of Vilas County - Manitowish Waters ! 5a 14.5 mi Man. Waters ● P ● ● ● ● ● ●

Heart of Vilas County - Boulder Junction ! 5b 21 mi Boulder Junction ● P ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Heart of Vilas County - Sayner-Star Lake ! 5c 10.7 mi Sayner-Star Lk. ● P ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Heart of Vilas County - St. Germain ! 5d 12.6 mi St. Germain ● P ● ● ● ● ●

Decker Lake Trail ! 6 4.5 mi Conover ● ● ● ● ● ●

Deep Lake Trails ! 7 6 mi Conover ● ● ● ● ● ●

Eagle River-Land O' Lakes Bike Route ! 8 22 mi Eagle R./Land O' ● ● ●

Escanaba-Pallette Lake Trail ! 9 Various Boulder Junction ● G ● S ● ● ●

Fallison Lake Trails ! 10 Various Boulder Junction ● ● ● ● ●

Fern Ridge Trail ! 11 0.7 mi St. Germain ● ● ●

Franklin Lake Trail ! 12-1 1 mi Eagle River ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Hidden Lakes Trail ! 12-2 13 mi Eagle River ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Heart Lake Trail ! 13 4.9 mi Conover ● ● ● ●

Lac du Flambeau Route ! 14 Various Lac du Flambeau ● ● ●

Wilderness Lakes Trail System (WLT) !! 15a Various Land O' Lakes ● I ● ● ●

WLT - Land O' Lakes Bike Trail !! 15b 12 mi Land O' Lakes ● P ● ● ●

Land O' Lakes Cross-Country Ski Trails ! 16 Various Land O' Lakes PG ● ●

Langley Lake Trails ! 17 15.7 mi Conover ● ● ● ●

Lumberjack Trail ! 18 Various Boulder Junction ● M/W ● ● ● ● M

Madeline Lake Trail ! 19 Various Minocqua ● M G ● S ● ●

Mud Minnow Lake Trail ! 22 2.8 mi Eagle River ● ● ● ● ● ●

Muskrat Creek Trail ! 23 6 mi Conover ● ● ● ● ● ●

Nicolet North Trails ! 25 15 mi Eagle River ● M PG ● ●

Nordmarka Trails ! 26 3 mi Eagle River G

North Lakeland Discovery Center Trails ! 27 12 mi Man. Waters ● I/M G ● ● ● ● ● ●

N Lakeland School Nature & XC Ski Trl System ! 28 10 mi Man. Waters ● G ● ●

North Trout Nature Trail ! 29 0.86 mi Boulder Junction ● ●

Phelps Trail ! 30 2 mi Phelps ● G ● S

Pioneer Creek Trail !! 31 7.35 mi Conover ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Powell Trails ! 33 Various Man. Waters ● ● ● ● ●

Presque Isle-Winchester Bike Route ! 34 10.5 mi Presque Isle ● P ● ● ● ●

Presque Isle Nature Trail ! 35 1.5 mi Presque Isle ● ● ● ●

Presque Isle-Pomeroy-Henry Trails ! 36 Various Presque Isle ● ● ●

Conover-Phelps Trail ! 37 8.5 mi Conover/Phelps ● P/M ● ● ● ●

Raven Trail ! 38 Various Woodruff ● M/W G ● S ● ● ● ●

Razorback Ridges Trails ! 39 Various Sayner-Star Lk. ● M G ● S ● ● H

Rohr's Wilderness Trails ! 40 Various Conover ● M G ● ● ● ● ●

Shannon Lake Trail ! 41 Various St. Germain ● M/W ● ● ●

Ski Hill Trails !! 42 5.1 mi Conover ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Snipe Lake & Ewald Lake Trails ! 43 16.4 mi Eagle River ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Spectacle Lake-Kentuck Lake Trail ! 44 2.5 mi Phelps ● ● ● ● ●

Star Lake Nature Trail ! 46 Various Sayner-Star Lk. ● ●

Three Eagle Trail ! 47 11.25 mi Eagle River ● I G ● ● ● ●

Tom Roberts Memorial Nature Trail ! 48 0.31 mi Boulder Junction ● ● ● ●

Torch Lake Trails !! 49 5.35 mi Conover ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Trampers Trails ! 50 2.5 mi Sayner-Star Lk. ● ● ●

Van Vliet Hemlocks ! 51 Various Presque Isle ● ● ● ● ●

White Squaw Lake Trail ! 52 7.4 mi Conover ● ● ● ● ● ●

Guido Rahr Sr. Tenderfoot Forest Preserve Trl ! 53 2 mi Land O'/Pr. Isle ● ● ● ●

WinMan Trails ! 54 Various Man W./Winch. ● M/W G ● ●

Tara Lila Trails ! 55 3 mi Eagle River ● ● ● ● ● ●

Vista Lake Bike Routes ! 56 13.1 mi Phelps ● M ● ●

Beaver Creek Trail ! 57 2 mi Phelps ● ● ●

Pioneer Creek Cross-Country Ski Trail !! 59 Various Conover ● G ● ● ● ● ●

Pipke Park Trail System ! 60 Various Presque Isle ● I ● ● ● ● ● H

Deerskin Snowshoe Trails ! 61 Various Phelps ● ● ● ●

St. Germain Fat Bike Loop ! 62 1.8 mi St. Germain W ●

Bear Lake Road ! 63 8.8 mi Boulder Junction ● P ●

Nichols Lake Landing ! 64 1.25 mi Boulder Junction ● P ● ● ● ●

White Deer Loop ! 65 6.5 mi Boulder Junction ● P ●

GRID KEY: G (Groomed) H (Heated) I (Improved) S (No Pets on Snow) M (Mountain) P (Paved) PG (Partially Groomed) W (Winter Fat Tire)

TRAIL TYPE: ! = Land ! = Hard-Surface ! = Paved Route ! = Equestrian

715.479.3649 TRAIL GRID 25

MAP IT VILAS COUNTY

26 MAP IT VILAS COUNTY

VILAS.ORG

FIND YOUR WAY

Your smartphone is the ticket to exploring Vilas County’s trails like an expert. In Vilas County,

we have not only created hundreds of miles of forest trails, we’ve also launched a free app

that will help you discover the trail that’s perfect for you. The Map It Vilas County trails

app is unlike any other—it uses GPS mapping technology to help silent and motorsport

enthusiasts navigate our vast forests. Discover trails for a variety of activities—the app

includes nearly 90 trail maps for ATVing/UTVing, biking, birdwatching, cross-country skiing,

equestrian, hiking, hunting, off-highway motorcycling, paddling, snowmobiling, snowshoeing

and swimming.

MAPPING AN ADVENTURE

Once you’ve downloaded the app (available at trails.vilas.org, or in the Google and iPhone

app stores), the keys to exploring Vilas County are in your pocket. With nearly 90 trail maps,

you have a lot of possibilities. Here are some of the places you can discover.

BACKCOUNTRY SNOWSHOEING

• The app will help you make tracks into the wilderness. One popular backcountry route is

the 13-mile Hidden Lakes Trail, located near Eagle River.

OFF-HIGHWAY MOTORCYCLING

• If you’re a rider who likes to get a little dirt on your tires, you’ll find 14 miles of great

riding on the Tamaracks Off-Highway Motorcycle Trail in Conover.

BACKCOUNTRY PADDLING

• The headwaters of the state’s largest river, the Wisconsin, can be found just east of Land

O’ Lakes at Lac Vieux Desert. If you’re willing to portage an occasional beaver dam, it’s

an unforgettable paddling trip. On the app, look for WI Centennial Trail - Trip 1—it’s one of

seven paddling routes detailed on the app.

HISTORIC SNOWMOBILING

• Sayner-Star Lake is the birthplace of the snowmobile, and the Sayner-Star Lake

Barnstormers have been grooming trails here for 50 years. The app will help you find Trail

51, a forest route near Sayner-Star Lake that’s one of the state’s oldest snowmobile trails.

EQUESTRIAN TRAILS

• The Vilas County Equestrian trail system provides over 16 miles of equestrian trails via

three loops: the Pioneer Creek Trail, Ski Hills Trails and Torch Lake Trails.

ORDER A TRAIL MAP

The Vilas County Silent Sport & Water

Recreation Map has water recreation on one

side, and land recreation on the other.

Order the map at trails.vilas.org

ATV/UTV

Vilas County is home to several ATV/UTV routes,

including some easy-riding trails in Conover,

Phelps, Land O’ Lakes, St. Germain, Eagle River

and the Minocqua Area. These routes, usually

open from early May to the end of October,

connect to other area trails and routes to the

east and west.

RIDING THE HEART OF VILAS—

MANITOWISH WATERS BIKE TRAIL

J.V. | Manitowish Waters

Beautiful recreational bike path.

MAP IT VILAS COUNTY

715.479.3649 27

A reminder from the Vilas County

Recreational Trail Safety

Committee.

Bike Vilas

More paved and hard-surface bike

trails than any place north of Hwy 29!

Great mountain biking, road biking

and fat biking too!

Here are a few reminders:

• Be predictable and visible.

• Use clear hand signals.

• Use lights at night.

• Be considerate.

• Always wear a helmet.

Ride Vilas

Enjoy a safe ATV/UTV ride in Vilas

County.

Here are a few reminders:

• Anyone born on or after

January 1, 1988 is required to

carry a safety certificate.

• Children aged 12-15 must

have an ATV Safety Certificate

and be accompanied by an

adult while operating on an

ATV route.

• All children under age 18 must

wear an ATV or motorcycle

helmet and goggles.

• No ATV operators under age

12 and no UTV operators

under 16 may operate on a

public roadway.

• All UTV passengers must wear

safety restraints.

• ATVs/UTVs must have their

headlamps on at all times

while operating on a route.

• Do not consume alcohol

during ATV/UTV operation.

VILASWI.COM/TRAILS

28 VILAS COUNTY TRAIL SAFETY

VILAS.ORG

ARTS & MUSEUMS

EXPLORE THE EXHIBITS

Vilas County has been home to Native Americans and French voyageurs, European

settlers and roving lumberjacks. Learn about this history and more at the

county’s rich collection of local museums and arts centers. Explore the Ojibwe

culture and experience life in a logging camp. See the inventive origin of the

snowmobile and learn about the unique geology of Vilas County. View the beautiful

work created by some of the most talented artists of the Northwoods or make

your own Vilas-inspired creation.

ARTS

Land O’ Lakes Area Arts (LOLA)

Land O’ Lakes | 715.547.3950 | lolaartswi.com

North Lakeland Discovery Center

Manitowish Waters | 1.877.543.2085

discoverycenter.net

Trees for Tomorrow

Eagle River | 715.479.6456 | treesfortomorrow.com

The Warehouse Arts Center

Eagle River | 715.479.4060 | eagleriverart.com

CHILDREN’S

Northwoods Children’s Museum

Eagle River | 715.479.4623

northwoodschildrensmuseum.com

CULTURAL

George W. Brown, Jr. Ojibwe Museum &

Cultural Center

Lac du Flambeau | 715.588.3333 | ldfmuseum.com

Mikwendaagoziwag Heritage Center

Lac du Flambeau | 715.588.2139

LOCAL HISTORY

Boulder Junction Historical Museum

Boulder Junction | 715.385.2617

Dr. Kate Museum

Woodruff | 715.356.6896 | drkatemuseum.org

Eagle River Historical Museum

Eagle River | 715.337.0811 | eagleriverhistory.org

Land O’ Lakes Historical Society Northern

Waters Museum

Land O’ Lakes | 715.547.6979

landolakeshistory.org

Manitowish Waters Historical Society

Manitowish Waters | 715.543.2700

mwhistory.org

Minocqua Museum

Minocqua | 715.356.7666

The Old Schoolhouse Gallery

Star Lake | 715.542.3998

Phelps Historical Museum

Phelps | 715.545.3303 | phelpsmuseum.com

Presque Isle Heritage Museum

Presque Isle | 715.686.2481

Vilas Historical Museum

Sayner | 715.542.3388 | vilasmuseum.com

Winchester Historical Display

Winchester | 715.686.2926

SNOWMOBILING

Eliason Hardware & Lumber: “Birthplace of

the Snowmobile”

Sayner | eliason-snowmobile.com

Snowmobile Hall of Fame & Museum

St. Germain | 715.542.4463

snowmobilehalloffame.com

World Snowmobile Headquarters

Eagle River | 715.479.2186

worldsnowmobilehq.com

715.479.3649 ARTS & MUSEUMS 29

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JANUARY

8-10 Vintage World Championship

Snowmobile Derby 9am-5pm. World

Championship Derby Complex. Eagle River.

Classic vintage races dedicated to the

grand old racing machines of the sixties,

seventies and eighties. These machines

are meticulously restored. 715.479.4424

derbycomplex.com

15-17 World Championship Snowmobile

Derby 9am-10pm. World Championship

Derby Complex. Eagle River. Enjoy hightech

snowmobiles reaching speeds in

excess of 100 miles per hour and marvel

at the high-flying snocross pilots as

they maneuver the demanding snocross

course. 715.479.4424 | derbycomplex.com

29-30 Women on Snow Weekend Noon-

1pm. Eagle Waters Resort. Eagle River.

A great weekend of snowmobiling and

fun in Wisconsin’s Northwoods. Saturday

evening brings a themed banquet which

is always full of fun, prizes and surprises.

715.891.1915 | womenonsnow.org

30 Jesse Roman Memorial Vintage

Snowmobile Show 9am-4pm. Sayner

Pub. Sayner. See snowmobiles from

years ago in downtown Sayner, the

snowmobile’s birthplace! Raffles, silent

auction, and more! Proceeds benefit

the Vilas County Historical Museum.

715.536.9845

FEBRUARY

2 Groomer Show 9am-4pm. Walker

Equipment, Inc. St. Germain. Walker

Equipment, home of Arrowhead Groomers,

hosts the Arrowhead Groomers Show.

Stop out and see equipment displays and

demonstrations. 715.479.4200

arrowheadgroomers.com

4-7 16 th Annual Labatt Blue / USA Hockey

Pond Hockey National Championship

9am-4pm. Dollar Lake. Eagle River. This

four-on-four shinny hockey tournament is

all about camaraderie and played in two

15 minute halves on rinks carved out of

snow. 715.479.6400 | eagleriver.org

7 Winter Frolic Noon-4pm. Conover Town

Park. Conover. Come join us for some

sledding fun at the Conover Lions Club

61 st Annual Winter Frolic. 715.477.0575

12-13 37th Annual Ride with the

Champs All-day event. Whitetail Inn.

St. Germain. Choose from six unique

group rides designed to take you through

spectacular Northwoods scenery.

715.542.4463 | snowmobilehalloffame.com

13 Northwoods Blizzard Blast 10am-4pm.

Conover Town Park. Conover. Winter fun

for everyone! Horse drawn sleigh rides,

giant ski races, recliner races, ice bowling,

slap shot hockey and the artisan bazaar.

715.547.8120 | northwoodsblizzardblast.com

20 Winter Party 5:30-8pm. Pipke

Park. Presque Isle. Skating, sledding,

snowshoeing and sky lanterns! Pipke Park

is a winter dream! Stay for the 7pm sky

lantern release and watch our dreams

float through the night sky. 715.686.2910

presqueisle.com

APRIL

10 10 th Annual Maple Syrup Fest

8am-4pm. Phelps High School. Phelps.

Enjoy sugar bush tours, tree-tapping demos,

children’s activities, arts and crafts,

maple treats and more! All things maple

syrup in Phelps! 715.545.3800

phelpswi.us/event/maple-syrup-fest

MAY

15 6th Annual White Deer Triathlon

9am-3pm. Boulder Junction Community

Center. Boulder Junction. 3K paddle,

22K bike, 6K run. Triathlon begins at

9am, cook-out beginning at 11am at

the Community Center with awards

ceremony immediately following the race.


29 Memorial Day Sidewalk Sale

10am-4pm. Downtown Eagle River. Start

the summer season off in style with a

sidewalk sale! Come on down and enjoy

some great deals inside and outside the

stores! 715.479.4903 | eagleriverbiz.biz

29 Memorial Day Arts and Crafts Show

10am-4pm. Downtown Eagle River. This

arts and crafts show features many

crafters and artists from the area. Food

will be available as well as live music.

715.479.6400 | eagleriver.org

31 Classic Sled Roundup 7am-3pm.

St. Germain Community Park. St. Germain.

Snowmobile season may be over, but it is

never really over for snowmobile

enthusiasts. 715.542.4463

snowmobilehalloffame.com

JUNE

4-5 Northwoods Birds and Wildlife

Festival All-day event. North Lakeland

Discovery Center. Manitowish Waters. Join

us in celebrating International Migratory

Bird Day! You will have the opportunity

to learn from experts on a wide range

of environmental topics. 715.543.2085

discoverycenter.net

5 June Bloom Arts & Crafts Festival

9am-3pm. Torpy Park. Minocqua. Over 75

crafters and artisans featuring handmade

items, food, and live music. Fun for the

whole family! 1.800.44.NORTH

letsminocqua.com

30 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

VILAS.ORG

11 Up North Beerfest – Premier Beer

Night 6-8pm. Hi-Pines Campground.

Eagle River. There will be live entertainment,

tasty hors d’oeuvres and special sampling

glasses for the showcased samplings.


12 Up North Beerfest 2pm-6pm.

Hi-Pines Campground. Eagle River. Over

30 breweries, just under 150 different

beers, sampling glasses, a beer guide

& live entertainment provided. Food

available for purchase. 715.479.6400

eagleriver.org

13 Walk in the Woods 9am-3pm.

St. Germain Chamber Park. St. Germain.

Enjoy wine sampling, cheese tasting,

and live music as you stroll through the

woods to find one-of-a-kind treasures.


16 Boulder Junction Wine Walk 4-8pm.

Downtown Boulder Junction. Stroll from

shop to shop, and a few restaurants too,

while sampling a variety of wine and

appetizers in various businesses in the

shopping district. 715.385.2400

boulderjct.org

18 Solstice Bike Festival All-day event.

Koller Park. Manitowish Waters. Join the

excitement and camaraderie of the fun

paved trail ride. Stick around for a party

in the park, featuring live music, food,

drinks and more. 715.543.2085

discoverycenter.net

25-26 Antique Wooden Boat Show

10am-7pm. The Boathouse. Minocqua.

Boat Parade Friday night at Min-Aqua

Bats Water Ski Show. Boat viewing,

food, & beverages all day Saturday.

715.892.4873

27 St. Germain Independence Day

Fireworks All-day event. Downtown

St. Germain. Enjoy a craft fair, kids rides,

games and live entertainment. A parade

at 3:00 and the best fireworks in the

Northwoods at dusk. 715.477.2205

st-germain.com

27 St. Germain Freedom 5K 8:30-

10:30am. St. Germain Community Park.

Put on your running shoes and start the

day by participating in the 17th Annual

Freedom 5K. Little runners can enjoy a

running challenge on the 1K kid’s loop

run. 715.614.3711 | freedom5k.org

27 Taste of Conover 11am-3pm. Conover

Town Park. Conover. Specialty foods

served by area businesses. Beverages

provided by Conover Chamber of Commerce.

715.891.5757

JULY

3 30 th Annual Fire Department Giant

Chicken BBQ Noon-6pm. Boulder Junction

Fire Station. Boulder Junction. Full buffet

chicken dinner. Tickets available at the

door. 715.385.2002

3 Land O’ Lakes July 3 rd Celebration

5:30pm. Gateway Lodge. Land O’ Lakes.

Enjoy food, drinks, music and fun for

the whole family at this pre-fireworks

gathering. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy

the fireworks from the best seat in town.

715.547.3321

4 Manitowish Waters 4 th of July Celebration

All-day event. Downtown Manitowish

Waters. Parade, live music, boat parade,

waterski show and fireworks. Food and

beverages available. 715.543.8488

chamber@manitowishwaters.org

4 Party in the Street – Eagle River 4 th of

July Celebration 10am-3pm. Downtown

Eagle River. Enjoy live music, an expanded

beer garden, burgers and brats, corn on

the cob, kids activities and the spectacular

4th of July parade. 715.479.6400

eagleriver.org

4 July 4 th Celebration in Land O’ Lakes

Noon-4pm. Downtown Land O’ Lakes. Join

us for our 4th of July parade and picnic

in the park following the parade. Food,

music, games and more! 715.547.3432

4 Star Spangled Jubilee Noon-11pm.

Boulder Junction. Enjoy a parade down Main

Street beginning at noon, with Lions Club

food tent from 10:30am-noon. Fireworks

display at 10pm at the Boulder Junction

Airport. 715.385.2400 | boulderjct.org

4 4 th of July Celebration in Sayner Noon-

11pm. Downtown Sayner. Plum Lake Fire

Department’s annual chicken BBQ at

noon, followed by community parade at

3pm, and fireworks at dusk, sponsored by

the Sayner-Star Lake Lions Club.

4 Conover 4 th of July Parade/Picnic in

the Park/Water Ski Show 1-4pm. Conover

Town Park. Conover. Come enjoy the

parade. Head to the park for the Conover

Lions Club picnic. 715.479.4928

4 Minocqua 4 th of July Festivities

4-10pm. Torpy Park. Minocqua. Vintage

airplane flyover (4pm), special Independence

Day Min-Aqua Bats Waterski Show

at the Aqua Bowl (7pm) and fireworks (at

dark). letsminocqua.com

4 Phelps 4 th of July Celebration 7-11pm.

Downtown Phelps. The ultimate smalltown

American 4th of July Celebration.

phelpswi.us/event/phelps-4th-of-july-festival

4 4 th of July Fireworks 10-10:30pm.

Vilas County Fairgrounds. Eagle River.

Enjoy the colorful fireworks shot high in

the sky. 715.479.8810

13 24 th Annual Picnic in the Park

5-8:30pm. Wavering Park. Phelps. Chicken

or ribs dinner. Entertainment. Advance

tickets $17/adults; $6/children 10 & under.

At the gate: $19; $7/children. Proceeds

for Northwoods Living Care Foundation.

715.545.2879 | phelpswi.us/events

15-18 56 th Annual Manito Art League

Art Show Times vary. Manitowish Waters

Community Center. Manitowish Waters.

Fine art show open to the public with

all items for sale. Free admission,

silent auction, people’s choice voting.

715.385.0299 | manitoartleague.org

17 Spend the Day in Manitowish Waters

All-day event. Manitowish Waters. Shop

participating businesses all around the

area, and enjoy dinner at one of our

fantastic restaurants before ending your

day with a Skiing Skeeters waterski show.


17 Artarama Riverwalk Art Show and

Sale 9am-3pm. Riverside Park. Eagle

River. This nationally known, one day,

juried art event showcases more than

90 top-quality artists and “Young at

Art” Junior artist tent. 715.525.2100

artarama-er.com

17 Taste of Manitowish Waters 11am-

1pm. Manitowish Waters Community

Center. Manitowish Waters. Sample a

variety of delicious food prepared and

served by local restaurants, live music

and beverages! 715.543.8488

manitowishwaters.org

Chamber-sponsored events are in blue. Events subject to change. For a complete list of events, visit vilas.org.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 31

18 Presque Isle Days Festival 11am-

3pm. Presque Isle Community Center.

Presque Isle. Bunyan’s Brewshack! Food

tent and trucks, professional lumberjack

competition, axe throwing competition,

kids games, watermelon, pie and corn

cob eating contests! 715.686.2910

presqueisle.com

20 Sidewalk Sales Day 8am-5pm.

Downtown Boulder Junction. Enjoy a

bargain extravaganza at all participating

shops. 715.385.2400 | boulderjct.com

21 25 th Annual Steak in the Park

5-8pm. Wavering Park. Phelps. Enjoy a

great steak dinner with potatoes, salad,

roll and dessert along with live music.

Rain or shine! Proceeds benefit local

Lions Club projects. 715.545.2142

phelpslollionsclub.org/events/

steak-in-the-park

23-25 Northwoods Summer Art Tour

10am-5pm. Various locations. A selfguided

tour of artist owned galleries and

studios. Artist demonstrations and art

available for purchase. 715.776.7872

northwoodsarttour.com

24 Summer Classics Airport Day

8am-4pm. Land O’ Lakes Airport. Land

O’ Lakes. Start the day with the famous

free pancake breakfast! Tour the airport,

check out the planes and enjoy many fun

activities. 715.547.3377

31 Forest Fest 9am-3pm. Trees for

Tomorrow. Eagle River. Join us for a day

of celebrating all the forest has to offer.

This free family fun day is held rain or

shine! Enjoy equipment demos, exhibits,

programs and much more. 715.479.6456

treesfortomorrow.com

AUGUST

1 7 th Annual Sayner Street Fair 5K Run/

Walk 8-10am. Downtown Sayner. Get

ready for a scenic morning run or walk

from downtown Sayner to the paved bike

trail and onto one of the most beautiful

wooded paths! sayner-starlake.org

1 7 th Annual Sayner Street Fair 10am-4pm.

Downtown Sayner. Don’t miss this fun-filled

day in downtown Sayner! Food and craft

vendors, live music, children’s activities,

and much more! sayner-starlake.org

5 After Loon Delight Craft Show 9am-

4pm. Torpy Park. Minocqua. Handcrafted

items by over 100 exhibitors. The craft

vendors and artisans featured at the show

are selected for their handmade craftsmanship

and artistic talents. 1.800.44.NORTH

minocquaartsandcrafts.com

6-7 Eagle River Rotary Antique Show

and Sale Times vary. World Championship

Derby Complex. Eagle River. Exhibitors are

professional antiques dealers from the

Northern Wisconsin Antique Dealers

Association along with select guest dealers.

406.830.6632 | eagleriverrotary.com

6 Musky Jamboree Street Party 7-10pm.

Downtown Boulder Junction. Featuring

live music. Located between Coontail

& Sauter Builders. Beverages served

by the American Legion Post 451.


7 Annual Firemen’s Picnic 8am-8pm.

Arbor Vitae Fireman’s Park. Arbor Vitae.

Music on the grounds, fireworks and

plenty to eat and drink. Presented by

the Town of Arbor Vitae and the Arbor

Vitae Fire and Rescue Department.

715.356.9247 | arborvitaefiredept.org

7 Ride with Leinie 9am-4pm. Forest

Lake Country Store. Land O’ Lakes. Take

a “Ride with Leinie!” Pick one of two

bike rides, followed by Leinenkugel beer

tasting and a brat lunch. Dick Leinenkugel

will lead one ride. 715.547.6323

7 Musky Jamboree Best Fish Fry Cook Off

3-6pm. Boulder Junction Downtown.

Taste & judge the best fish fry. Live music

& beverages served by the Boulder

Junction Lion’s Club. 715.385.2400

muskyjamboree.com

8 Musky Fun Run 7:30-8:30am. Boulder

Junction Baseball Park. Boulder Junction.

5K and 10K courses beginning at the

Boulder Junction Baseball Park and winding

through scenic, gently rolling asphalt

surfaced roads, woodland and paved

trails. 715.385.2400 | boulderjct.org

8 64 th Annual Musky Jamboree

9am-4pm. Downtown Boulder Junction.

Car show, over 150 art & craft booths,

food booths, kids casting contest, Lions

Club flea market, live entertainment and

more. 715.385.2400 | boulderjct.org

12-15 Vilas County Fair Times vary.

Vilas County Fairgrounds. Eagle River.

Enjoy chainsaw carving, petting zoo, bean

bag toss events, face painting and much

more. 715.479.2057 | vilascountyfair.com

14 See Me Tri Triathlon 8am-1pm.

Minocqua area. Includes sprint and

Olympic distances for the swim (Clear Lake),

the bike (bike lanes and wooded back

roads) and the run (Raven Trail). Post

race festivities planned. 800.446.6784

minocquatriathlon.com

14 Ice Cream Ride 2-8pm. Sayner and

St. Germain. 25 or 5-mile family-friendly

ride, featuring live music, ice cream and

fun! Proceeds fund nutritional support of

area school-aged children. 715.410.8167

feedourruralkids.org

18 Paul Bunyan Fest 10am-4pm.

Downtown Eagle River. Arts/crafts show,

live music, chainsaw carving

demonstrations and great food including

delicious hot-beef sandwiches, potato

salad and sweet corn. 715.479.6400

eagleriver.org

21 Dragon Boat Festival 7:30am-4pm.

Torpy Park. Minocqua. Sponsored by

Howard Young Foundation, boats with 20

paddlers, a drummer and steerperson

take to the water. Costumes & music.

715.439.4005

howardyoungfoundation.org

21 7 th Annual Twin Triathlon 8am-noon.

Downtown Phelps. Twin Triathlon: 8K

paddle on North Twin, 16K bike ride, 5K

run. Register as an individual, family or

team. Do one leg or all three!

phelpswi.us/event/twin-triathlon

28 Eagle River Truck and Car Show

8am-3pm. Downtown Eagle River. Enjoy

beautiful classic cars and trucks on

display, wonderful food and lots of fun.

Trophies will be awarded in various

categories. 920.246.0116

SEPTEMBER

4 Northwoods Bad Dash 9am-2pm.

North Lakeland Discovery Center.

Manitowish Waters. The Northwoods only

four-mile “Adventure Run” - four miles,

12 obstacles, one challenge!

715.543.2085 | nwbaddash.com

4 Giving Tree Music Festival 5-9pm.

Boulder Junction Winter Park. Boulder

Junction. Music festival benefiting 5 area

non-profit organizations. John Denver

Tribute Concert featuring Roy Rivers

headlines. Food and beverage on site.


5 Labor Day Arts and Crafts Show

10am-4pm. Downtown Eagle River. Take

in a late summer arts and crafts show

featuring many area crafters as well as

artists from the Northwoods and beyond.


5 Labor Day Weekend Sidewalk Sale


sales and specials in stores and outside

throughout Downtown Eagle River.

715.479.4903 | eagleriverbiz.biz

5 Sausage Fest 11am-4pm. Riverview

Park. Eagle River. Enjoy music, dancing,

raffles, a variety of sausages and October

Fest style beers. Also enjoy lots of children’s

activities provided by the Northwoods

Children’s Museum. 715.891.3134

11 Septimber Ride 7am-3pm. Tribute

Brewing Company. Eagle River. Ride

the beautiful Three Eagle Trail or ride

beautiful county roads from Tribute

Brewing Company to complete either a

60K or 100K loop route. 715.479.6400

eagleriver.org

11 29 th Annual Colorama Arts &

Crafts Fair 9am-3pm. Boulder Junction

Community Center. Boulder Junction.

Arts and crafts show, farmers market and

wild game sandwiches at the Community

Center. 715.385.2400 | boulderjct.org

18 Last Wilderness Run All-day event.

Pipke Park. Presque Isle. Take in fall’s

beauty with a 5K Trail Run or Road Run/

Walk. 715.686.2910 | presqueisle.com

18 11 th Annual Scarecrow Fest 11am-5pm.

Downtown Phelps. Lots of free family fun,

including scarecrow contest, pumpkin

chuckin’ into North Twin Lake, kid’s

games, hay rides, craft fair, music, food

and beer tent. phelpsscarecrowfest.org

18 Oktoberfest 5:30-11pm.

Land O’ Lakes. German food, beer, and

music. Fun for all ages! 715.547.3432

golandolakeswi.com

Family-friendly ideas

Vilas County has been entertaining families for generations and

local businesses will help keep your whole crew occupied. Here

are nine of our favorite suggestions for a family adventure.

• Ride go-carts in Eagle River and St Germain.

• Play mini golf.

• Take a guided horseback ride in Arbor Vitae, Boulder Junction,

Eagle River or St. Germain.

• Tour the Northwoods Wildlife Center in Minocqua.

• Enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride.

• Glide through the forest on a zipline tour.

• Feed the giraffes at the zoo in Minocqua.

• Take in waterski shows in several communities.

• Step into the Giant Light-Bright and Wind Tunnel in the

Northwoods Children’s Museum.

32 CALENDAR OF EVENTS VILAS.ORG

19 St Germain Colorama 9am-4pm.

St. Germain Community Park. St. Germain.

St. Germain is proud to be the “Birthplace

of Colorama.” Something for the entire

family. Sample regional craft brews at

our “Pints in the Park” Beer Tasting.


24-26 Colorama Weekend in Downtown

Sayner 10am-5pm. Downtown Sayner.

Spend the weekend in Sayner and

celebrate the colors of the season! Enjoy

fall festivities at the downtown shops Fri.,

Sat. and Sun. sayner-starlake.org

25 Lakeland Rotary’s Rump Roast Run

7-11am. Torpy Park. Minocqua. 5K

and 10K run/walk on the streets and

trails of Minocqua. A calf-mile for kids!

715.356.3252 x2232 | rumproastrun.com

25 Beef-A-Rama 8am-4pm. Downtown

Minocqua. Join herds of festival goers in

downtown Minocqua on the last Saturday

in September. 1.800.44.NORTH

beefarama.com

26 Annual Colorama Brunch & Craft Show

9am-noon. Sayner Community Center.

Sayner. Brunch and craft show at the Plum

Lake Community Center. Sponsored by the

Friends of the Plum Lake Library and the

Plum Lake Women’s Club. sayner-starlake.org

30-Oct. 3 Cranberry Fest Marsh and Wine

Tasting Tours Times vary. Eagle River Area

Chamber of Commerce. Eagle River. This

amazing two-hour tour offers insight into

the cranberry planting and growing process

while actually witnessing the annual harvest.


OCTOBER

2 Zurko Antique and Vintage Market


an eclectic mix of antiques, collectibles,

shabby-chic, primitives, old toys, vintage

advertising, pottery, country farm

and a host of treasures. All for sale!

715.526.9769 | zurkopromotions.com

2 Cran A Rama 9am-3pm. Manitowish

Waters Community Center. Manitowish

Waters. Celebrate the cranberry harvest

season with an arts and crafts fair, fresh

cranberries, fall color, marsh tours & more!


2-3 Cranberry Fest 9am-4pm. Vilas

County Fairgrounds. Eagle River. Enjoy

arts and crafts, cranberry food sales,

cranberry bakery, entertainment, Cranberry

Fest souvenirs, fitness events and so much

more. 715.479.6400 | eagleriver.org

8-10 Northwoods Fall Art Tour 10am-

5pm. Various locations. A self-guided

tour of artst-owned galleries and studios.

715.776.7872 | northwoodsarttour.com

9 26 th Annual Harvest Fest 10am-3pm.

Downtown Boulder Junction. Kids games,

Shop the Haystack and fall treats.

Kids may dress in costumes and follow

Granny Autumn through downtown to the

various event locations. 715.385.2400

boulderjct.org

16 Olives in October 6-10pm. Whitetail

Inn. St. Germain. Join in the fun sampling

martinis made by some of the best

bartenders in the Northwoods. Tickets sell

out fast! 715.477.2205 | st-germain.com

30 Ghouls Night Out – HalloWine Walk

5-8pm. Downtown Boulder Junction. Stroll

from shop to shop, and a few restaurants

too, for a Halloween themed Wine Walk.

Dress in costume for the costume contest!


NOVEMBER

13 10 th Annual Great Shopping Escape

9am-3pm. Boulder Junction Community

Center. Boulder Junction. Meet home

party reps at the Community Center. Visit

local shops, art galleries and have breakfast

or lunch at one of our restaurants.


13 Christmas Fest 10am-2pm. Sayner

Community Center. Sayner. Festive crafts

and community activities. Sponsored by

the Plum Lake Women’s Club.

sayner-starlake.org

13 Old Fashioneds Up North 6-9pm.

Eagle Waters Resort. Eagle River.

Northwoods bartenders put their skills

to the test in our Old Fashioned making

competition. Enjoy heavy hor d’oeuvres

and live entertainment throughout the

evening. 715.479.6400 | eagleriver.org

26-28 Christmas in Downtown Sayner

10am-5pm. Downtown Sayner. Enjoy the

shops, refreshments, and holiday spirit

as the restaurants and shops of Sayner

officially kick off the season!

sayner-starlake.org

26 Santa Comes to Town 1-3pm. Land

O’ Lakes area. Children get a chance to

visit with Santa and share their wish lists

in Land O’ Lakes. Santa arrives at the

airport and heads to the town tree and

Santa Village across from the library. Fun

for all! 715.547.3432 |golandolakeswi.com

27 33 rd Annual Christmas Walk 5-8pm.

Downtown Boulder Junction. Welcome

in the holiday season with the lighting

of the town, a visit from Santa and Mrs.

Claus, carolers, sleigh rides and treats for

shoppers at the stores. 715.385.2400

boulderjct.org

27 Breakfast with Santa 8-11am.

Gateway Lodge, Land O’ Lakes. Come for

breakfast and enjoy a visit with Santa.

Gifts for the children. Bring your camera

for a special picture with Santa.

27 Christmas Walk Kids Day 10:30am-

1:30pm. Boulder Junction Community

Center. Boulder Junction. Christmas

shopping house, activities and lunch with

Santa and Mrs. Claus. 715.385.2400

boulderjct.org

27 Christmas in Minocqua Noon-5pm.

Downtown Minocqua. Visit Santa and

his reindeer, horse drawn wagon rides

and more family holiday activities in

downtown Minocqua. 1.800.44.NORTH

minocqua.org

28 “Lighting Up St. Germain” Holiday

Celebration All-day event. Downtown

St. Germain. Ring in the holidays by

shopping Small Business Saturday, and

then enjoy the “Lighting Up St. Germain”

holiday parade at dusk and the lighting of

the town Christmas tree. 715.477.2205

st-germain.com

28 Jingle Bell Fun Run 3K 3-5pm.

Downtown St. Germain. Jingle in the

holiday season with this fun-filled run/

walk. Enjoy the “Lighting up” St. Germain

holiday parade, town tree lighting, and

St. Nick! 715.477.2205 | st-germain.com

DECEMBER

4, 11, & 18 Sleigh Rides 11am-3pm.

Downtown Eagle River. Come enjoy your

holiday shopping while taking a free horse

drawn sleigh ride from Railroad Street

through Downtown Eagle River to Trig’s.

715.479.4903 | eagleriverbiz.biz

10 Olde Time Christmas Celebration

5-8pm. Pipke Park. Presque Isle. Join

us for horse-drawn sleigh rides along

our snow-covered lake paths, sledding,

ice skating, bonfire, s’mores, hot drinks

and a visit from Santa. 715.686.2910

presqueisle.com

26-Jan. 1 Marvel in Manitowish Waters

Times vary. Manitowish Waters. Count

down to the New Year in Manitowish

Waters with low/no cost, family-fun,

indoor/outdoor activities! 715.543.8488

manitowishwaters.org

29 Winter Family Play Day 11am-2pm.

North Lakeland Discovery Center,

Manitowish Waters. Activities that are

fun for the whole family, including winter

scavenger hunts, snow critter building,

snowshoe games and horse-drawn sleigh

rides. 715.543.2085 | discoverycenter.net

SAUSAGEFEST IN EAGLE RIVER

Mark M. | Eagle River

The band played on.


CALENDAR OF EVENTS

33

RECURRING EVENTS

May 5-Oct. 6 Eagle River Wednesday

Farmer’s Market Every Wednesday.

8:30am-1pm. Eagle River. Join us for

veggies, flowers, honey, breads, jams,

meats, cheeses, maple syrup, crafts and

much more from over twenty vendors.

715.477.0645 | eaglerivermainstreet.org

May 14-Oct. 8 Minocqua Farmers

Market Every Friday. 8am-1pm. Let’s

Minocqua Visitors Bureau. Minocqua. This

producers-only farmers’ market features

produce and agricultural products from

the surrounding area. 715.356.5266

letsminocqua.org

May 30-Sep. 12 Music in the Park

Every Sunday. 4-6pm. Koller Park.

Manitowish Waters. Join us for live music!

Bring your chairs and enjoy the fun!

Music-in-the-park.com

May 30-Oct. 3 Eagle River Sunday

Farmer’s Market Every Sunday. 10am-

2pm. Eagle River. Join us for veggies,

flowers, honey, breads, jams, meats,

cheeses, maple syrup and much more.

715.477.0645 | eaglerivermainstreet.org

May 31-Sep. 6 St. Germain Flea Market

Every Monday. 8am-3pm. St. Germain

Community Park. St. Germain. One of the

largest flea markets in the Northwoods.

715.891.7333

Jun. 1-Aug. 31 Lions Club Weekly

Summer Craft and Flea Market

Every Tuesday. 8am-2pm. Boulder Junction


Large, outdoor flea/craft market.

715.686.7970

e-clubhouse.org/sites/boulderjunction

Jun. 3-Aug. 26 Flea, Craft and Farmer’s

Market – Lion’s Club Every Thursday.

9am-2pm. Manitowish Waters Community

Center. Manitowish Waters. 920-327-0473

Jun. 7-Aug. 30 St. Germain BINGO

Every Monday. 7-9:30pm. St. Germain

Community Center. St. Germain. Enjoy

an evening of family fun every Monday.

$1,000 given out, door prizes, and a

50/50 raffle. Doors open at 6:15pm.

Games begin at 7pm. 715.477.2205

Jun. 9-Aug. 4 Kid’s Fishing Tips

Every Wednesday. 6:30-8pm. Hi-Pines

Campground. Eagle River. Headwaters

Chapter Muskies, Inc. of Eagle River

provides basic fishing instruction to

children ages 5-13. FREE. 715.477.2667

Jun. 11-Sep. 3 Min-Aqua Bats Waterski

Shows Every Sunday, Wednesday, and

Friday. 7-9pm. Aqua Bowl. Minocqua.

Enjoy one of the oldest waterski show

teams in the United States today,

originating in 1950. minaquabats.com

Jun. 12-Sep. 2 Chain Skimmers Water

Ski Show Every Tuesday, Thursday, and

Saturday (except 7/15 and 7/17) 7-9pm.

Lake Pleasant. Conover. Watch skilled

water skiers perform awesome tricks,

jumps, flips and other amazing stunts.

Jun. 15-Aug. 3 Nature at Night Series

Every Tuesday. 7-8:30pm. Trees for

Tomorrow. Eagle River. Variety of natural

resource and nature-themed topics

geared for older children and adults.

Suggested donation is $2 a person.

715-479-6456 | treesfortomorrow.com

Jun. 16-Aug. 4 Music on Main Street

Every Wednesday. 7-9pm. Music on Main

Street Stage. Peeple’s Park. Boulder

Junction. Local musicians perform. Rain

backup location at the Boulder Junction

Community Center. 715.385.2400

boulderjct.org

Jun. 16-Sep. 4 Plum Ski-ters Water Ski

Shows Every Wednesday and Saturday.

7-8:30pm. Statehouse Point Boat

Landing on Plum Lake. Sayner. Watch the

award-winning Plum Ski-ters water ski

show team perform.

Jun. 20-Sep. 5 Free Fishing Seminars

Every Sunday. 7-8pm. Various Locations

around Boulder Junction. Boulder Junction

fishing guides offer free fishing seminars

throughout the summer. Varied topics.


Jun. 25-Sep. 10 Friday’s Fresh

Produce Market Every Friday. 8am-2pm.

Downtown Presque Isle. Featuring fresh

produce and cheeses, maple syrup,

honey and jams, farm-fresh eggs, locally

butchered meats and more homemade

goodness! 715-686-2910

presqueisle.com

Sep. 14-Oct. 16 Lake Nokomis

Cranberry Harvest Tours Every Monday

through Saturday. Times vary. Lake

Nokomis Cranberries. Eagle River. Stop

by and take one of our free harvest tours.

Harvest usually takes place mid-September

to mid-October. 715-479-6546

lakenokomiscranberries.com

34 RECURRING EVENTS Chamber-sponsored events are in blue. Events subject to change. For a complete list of events, visit vilas.org.

FISHING EVENTS


JANUARY

16 7 th Annual Wittig’s Point Tavern “Big

Fish” Ice Fishing Tournament 8am-4pm.

Wittig’s Point Resort & Tavern on Fishtrap

Lake. Boulder Junction. 100% payout.

3 biggest Bluegill, 3 biggest Walleye, 3

biggest Northern. Prizes, trophies, raffles!

715.892.1544 | wittigspoint.com

FEBRUARY

6 13 th Annual Frozen Tozen Ice Fishing

Tournament 8am-4pm. Boulder Junction.

Boat Landing Ice fishing tournament on

Boulder Lake. Both individual and team

registration available. Cash prizes and

raffle drawings. 715.385.2400

boulderjct.org

13 20 th Annual Northern Exposure Ice

Fishing Tournament 6am-4pm. Northern

Exposure Bar & Restaurant. Phelps.

Northern Exposure hosts this ice fishing

tournament on North & South Twin Lakes.

715.545.3555 | phelpswi.us/events

13 Plum Lake Ice Fishing Tournament

6am-3pm. Sayner Community Center.

Sayner. Calling all anglers for a day of

fishing on Plum Lake! Prizes, raffles, food

and more! Proceeds benefit Sayner-Star

Lake Lions Club projects. 715.542.3501

13 Winterfest Rendezvous 9:30am-6:30pm.

Rest Lake Park. Manitowish Waters. This

family event has activities for all: kid’s

games, free groomer rides, raffles, live

music and more including spectacular

fireworks over frozen Rest Lake!

715.543.2455 | snoskeeters.org/events-1

20 Sand Lake Pub Ice Fishing Derby

7am-3pm. Sand Lake Pub. Phelps. Ice

Fishing Derby on Sand Lake. All prizes are

awarded at the end. phelpswi.us/events

MAY

14-16 Fishing with the Stars Times vary.

St. Germain Community Center. St. Germain.

Spend Saturday competing for the largest

Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike or panfish.


21-23 Spring Walleye Tournament Times

vary. Presque Isle. Catch and release tourney

on Presque Isle and Winchester lakes with

photo submissions, followed by awards

ceremony and raffle giveaways at 11:30am

Sunday. 715.686.2910 | presqueisle.com

JUNE

4-6 Fishing Has No Boundaries Times

vary. Wild Eagle Lodge. Eagle River.

Fishing Has No Boundaries is a non-profit

event for the disabled angler. This threeday

event provides wonderful fishing on

the beautiful Eagle River Chain of Lakes.

715.479.9309

19 Hank Lesniak’s Valley of the Giants

Musky Tournament 7am-3pm. Hillside

Resort. Phelps. Musky fishing on Lac

Vieux Desert. Entry fee includes prime rib

dinner and cash prizes. hillside-resort.com

26-27 Professional Musky Tournament

Trail (PMTT) Times vary. Eagle Waters

Resort. Eagle River. The most high-profile,

exciting musky tournaments in the country.

The PMTT is not only for the pros but

also the dozens of other excellent musky

anglers. 715-479-6400 | eagleriver.org

JULY

14, 28 Kid’s Fishing Day 10am-noon.

Pipke Park. Presque Isle. A morning of

fishing at Pipke Park. BYO equipment and

bait (limited sets available to borrow).

Fisher-mentors on hand to help! Hot dog

lunch + prizes at noon. 715.686.2910

presqueisle.com

AUGUST

6 Learn to Fish Musky Workshop

8:30am-3:30pm. Boulder Junction


All are welcome to attend the morning

workshop. Afternoon lunch and mentored

fishing with the first 12-15 advanced

registrations. Hosted by WiDNR.

715.356.5211

11 Kid’s Fishing Day 10am-Noon. Pipke

Park. Presque Isle. A morning of fishing

at Pipke Park. BYO equipment and bait

(limited sets available to borrow).

Fisher-mentors on hand to help! Hot dog

lunch & prizes at noon. 715.686.2910

presqueisle.com

20-22 National Championship Musky

Open Times vary. Vilas County Fairgrounds.

Eagle River. The largest amateur musky

tournament in existence. Always a great

family-oriented tournament. From expert

anglers to the little ones, everyone is

welcome to participate. 715-479-6400

eagleriver.org

28 DC Fishing Classic 7am-4pm. Sand

Lake Pub. Phelps. Enjoy a day on the lake

and a chance for cash prizes with musky

fishing on Big Sand Lake only. phelpswi.us/

event/dan-connies-fishing-classic

SEPTEMBER

5 Swen Musky Tournament 8am-4pm.

Hillside Resort. Phelps. Musky fishing on

Lac Vieux Desert. Entry fee, $35, includes

chicken, dinner, cash prizes, door prizes

and hat. hillside-resort.com

11 North and South Twin Lakes Musky

Tournament 6am-4pm. Northern

Exposure Bar & Restaurant. Phelps.

Musky fishing on North and South Twin

Lakes. 715.545.3555

OCTOBER

1-3 41 st Midwest Musky Classic Tournament

Times vary. Phelps Chamber of

Commerce. Phelps. One of the longest

running tournaments in northern Wisconsin.

Huge musky - huge prizes! Fishing on

North & South Twin, Big Sand Lake

and Lac Vieux Desert. 715-545.3800

phelpswi.us

1-4 Greater Wisconsin Musky Tournament

Times vary. St. Germain Community

Center. St. Germain. Enjoy two days on

the water and fish away for the winning

musky. Individual and team prizes.


2-3 6 th Annual Boulder Junction Lions

Walleye Classic Times vary. Boulder

Junction area. Walleye fishing tournament

on Boulder Junction area lakes. Awards

and dinner at Headwaters Restaurant at

6pm. Cash prizes. 715.892.2366

e-clubhouse.org/sites/boulderjunction

FISHING EVENTS

35

ADVERTISEMENTS

THis is

Hwy 47 Lac du Flambeau

1.800.25.TORCH

www.lakeofthetorches.com

NEWLY RENOVATED

36 ADVERTISEMENTS

VILAS.ORG

Eagle River Inn & Resort

Located on Watersmeet Lake, part

of the Eagle River 28-lake chain.

1-3 Bedroom Hotel Suites, Jacuzzi Suites and

Lakeview Rooms with Sliding Glass Doors.

Onsite amenities include: Indoor Pool/Hot Tub • Fitness Center

Continental Breakfast • Microwaves & Mini Fridges

Restaurant/Bar/Lounge • Banquet Rooms • Free WIFI

On the snowmobile trail, Pitstop #25

5260 Hwy. 70W., Eagle River, WI 54521 EagleRiver-Inn.com

w

More specialty care in

the Northwoods.

25364-000

715.479.3649 ADVERTISEMENTS 37

GLIKS.COM

@GLIKSOFFICIAL

FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1897

111 Wall St | Eagle River, WI 54521

715.477.0774

38 ADVERTISEMENTS

VILAS.ORG

Gateway Lodge Restaurant and Lounge

Land O' Lakes

Nestled in the Northwoods of Vilas County

Rustic Lodge offering kitchenettes, wifi, pool, hot tub, sauna,

restaurant and Lounge. Adjacent to golf, biking, ATV/UTV &

Snowmobile trails

4103 County Hwy B Land O' Lakes, Wi / 715-547-3321 / gateway-lodge.com

• Clubhouse

• Waterpark

• Free WiFi

• 80 Acres of Forest/Meadow

• Top-Rated “Destination

RV Resort”

• 50 AMP Full Hookup

• New Seasonal Sites

1 Mi. North of Eagle River, WI on Hwy. 45 715-479-9124


40 ADVERTISEMENTS

VILAS.ORG

DILLMANS.COM

Dillman’s is a nostalgic resort

on a lush, private peninsula of

White Sand Lake with boating,

beaches, tennis, biking and

more. Accommodating 220

in air-conditioned motel units,

lakeside cabins

and lake houses.

Perfect for family

vacations, reunions

and retreats.

Spring and fall

packages available.

Pets welcome. 13 miles NW of

Minocqua in Lac du Flambeau.

MADE RIGHT HERE

SHOP SK IN IRONWOOD

COME SEE THE SHOWROOM AT OUR

FACTORY STORE

FREE FACTORY TOURS

CALL FOR AVAILABILITY

MON-FRI AT 1:30 P.M.

FIND DIRECTIONS AT

STORMYKROMER.COM/TOUR

1238 WALL STREET• IRONWOOD, MI

888.455.2253

•

GALLERY

fine contemporary art & craft

global antiques & artifacts

many smaller gift items

Books and cards

p r ofessional c u s t o m

frame service

Putumayo World Music CD’s

10354 Main Street • downtown Boulder Junction

c a l l 7 1 5 . 3 8 5 . 2 0 8 2 f o r s e a s o n a l h o u r s

moondeergallery.com • moondeerdesign.com

•

•

•

•

•

•

•


Your vacation destination...

GoLandolakesWi.com

(715) 547-3432

Go-Karting • 18-Hole Miniature Golf • Bumper Boats

Scenic Guided Horseback Trail Rides • Batting Cages

Bungee Trampoline • Rock Climbing Wall

32 Flavors Ice Cream Shop w/Hot Dogs, Sandwiches

4 SCREENS • 4 MOVIES EVERY DAY

MATINEES • EVENING • LATEST MOVIES

GIFT CERTIFICATES • FULL CONCESSIONS

ON-SCREEN ADVERTISING AVAILABLE

Theatre Hotline: 715-479-6541

www.VilasCinema.com

Downtown

Eagle River, WI

42 ADVERTISEMENTS

VILAS.ORG

Vilas County Tourism & Publicity

330 Court St., Eagle River, WI 54521

715.479.3649 | vilas.org

Vilas County Visitor Guide - 2021

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?