Vilas County Visitor Guide - 2019

ADVENTURE: SPRING & SUMMER
Warm weather and longer days bring fresh opportunities
for adventure in Vilas County and some of the best vacation
moments happen on the water. For hundreds of years
people have been paddling the lakes and rivers of Vilas
County. Chart your own course—the Wisconsin River alone
offers nearly 50 miles of paddling from the headwaters
in Land O’ Lakes south to Conover and Eagle River and
west to St. Germain.
Vilas County is also home to vast forests that beckon
nature lovers. A beautiful place for a hike is the Star Lake
Nature Trail, which will take you onto a scenic peninsula.
Hikers interested in a longer adventure can explore the
1.5 million-acre 9 Nicolet National Forest via the Anvil Lake
Trail, just east of Eagle River. The trail is just off Old Military
Road, an 1800s route that follows a Native American trail
used for hundreds of years (part of the Nicolet-Wolf River
Scenic Byway). The longest trail in the county is the Heart
of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail System. Ride 52 miles of
paved trail connecting Boulder Junction, Sayner-Star Lake,
Manitowish Waters, St. Germain and Mercer.
In northern Vilas County, bikers can explore a beautiful
road route that connects Winchester and Presque Isle.
Mountain bikers will find scenery on the Raven Trail in
Woodruff and a few thrills on the expansive WinMan Trails
between Winchester and Manitowish Waters. Near Conover
is the Vilas County Equestrian Trail System—it’s connected
to the River Road Equestrian Campground via the Torch
Lake Equestrian Loop.
ATV riders can also explore Vilas County’s expanding riding
options. Discover routes connecting the communities of
Eagle River, Conover, Phelps, Land O’ Lakes, St. Germain
and Arbor Vitae. A scenic paved and dirt road/trail route
will take you through the forest from Arbor Vitae to St.
Germain, skirting Big St. Germain Lake. Adventurer/
dual-sport motorcycle riders will find endless routes to
explore, including miles of unpaved county forest roads.
Back on land, explore native history on the reservation
of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
Weekly pow wows take place through the summer on
Tuesdays, and the 3 George W. Brown, Jr. Ojibwe Museum
& Cultural Center features exhibits like a world-record
sturgeon and a 24-foot dugout canoe.
Looking for family fun? Check out the wildlife in a Northwoods
zoo or head to a go-kart track and see who is the fastest!
All of these activities might make you hungry. Good spots
to pull over include Manitowish Waters, where you’ll find
great coffee, and Land O’ Lakes, where you can ride up
to an ice cream stand. Throughout the county you’ll find
friendly taverns for lunch and restaurants with sunset
views. Whether you’re looking for a classic cocktail or
unforgettable dessert, you’ll find it in Vilas County.
16 ITINERARIES
Finding spring and summer fun in Vilas County is a
breeze. View itineraries at vilas.org/itineraries.
FARMERS’ MARKETS
Vilas County hosts several farmers’ markets from late spring
through early fall. Find farm-fresh produce as well as locally made
baked goods, maple syrup, wild rice and other products of the
Northwoods. Here’s where you can find the markets.
St. Germain Flea Market—St. Germain (Mondays)
Weekly Summer Flea Market—Boulder Junction (Tuesdays)
Farmers’ Market—Eagle River (Wednesdays, Sundays)
Farmers’ and Flea Market—Land O’ Lakes (Thursdays)
Farmers’ Market & Lion’s Club Flea
& Craft Market—Manitowish Waters (Thursdays)
Flea and Farmers’ Market—Presque Isle (Fridays)
Minocqua Farmers’ Market—Minocqua (Fridays)
Phelps Farmers’ Market—Phelps (Saturdays)
Camperland
Bringing a camper to Vilas County? The 14 Torch
Lake Campground and RV Park has a spot for you,
including sites perfect for a campervan, travel trailer
or a full-sized, Class-A motorhome. Find the ideal
site and enjoy your night beneath a starry sky. Learn
about the campground on page 21 and on vilas.org.
VILAS.ORG