Vilas County Visitor Guide - 2021

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.
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