Vilas County Visitor Guide - 2021
Travel Guide. Travel Guide.
2021 VISITOR GUIDE
- Page 3 and 4: Welcome to Vilas County, your premi
- Page 5 and 6: BOULDER JUNCTION715.385.2400 | boul
- Page 7 and 8: PRESQUE ISLE715.686.2910 | presquei
- Page 9 and 10: LAKE CHAINSVilas County has lakes o
- Page 11 and 12: PUBLIC ACCESS WATERWAYSLOCATIONAV -
- Page 13 and 14: Area (acres)Max. Depth (ft.)Mean De
- Page 15 and 16: ADVENTURESSEASONALMOMENTSEvery seas
- Page 17 and 18: ADVENTURE: SUMMERLife here is simpl
- Page 19 and 20: ADVENTURE: WINTERVilas County has a
- Page 21 and 22: LODGINGENJOY A PERFECT STAYA trip t
- Page 23 and 24: LnSouth Bay RdMcLeodZeman RdCarlson
- Page 25 and 26: TRAIL GRIDSEE TRAIL LOCATIONS ON MA
- Page 27 and 28: FIND YOUR WAYYour smartphone is the
- Page 29 and 30: ARTS & MUSEUMSEXPLORE THE EXHIBITSV
- Page 31 and 32: 11 Up North Beerfest - Premier Beer
- Page 33 and 34: 19 St Germain Colorama 9am-4pm.St.
- Page 35 and 36: FISHING EVENTSChamber-sponsored eve
- Page 37 and 38: Eagle River Inn & ResortLocated on
- Page 39 and 40: Gateway Lodge Restaurant and Lounge
- Page 41 and 42: DILLMANS.COMDillman’s is a nostal
- Page 44: Vilas County Tourism & Publicity330
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
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F Fishing Pier
Headwater
Lakes
Chippewa
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(
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(
Winchester
Powell Rd
Makwa
Trl
!
54
Li le Trout Rd
River Rd
Alder Lake Rd
Thorofare Rd
Alder Lake Rd
(
(
(
(
Presque
(
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COUNTY
(
½
Arbor
F
.
70 Vitae
.
(
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(
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.
715.385.2400 | boulderjct.org
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.
715.479.6400 | eagleriver.org
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.
715.477.2205 | st-germain.com
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.
715.543.8488 | manitowishwaters.org
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.
715.385.2400 | boulderjct.org
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.
715.385.2400 | boulderjct.org
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.
715.479.6400 | eagleriver.org
5 Labor Day Weekend Sidewalk Sale
10am-4pm. Downtown Eagle River. Enjoy
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.
715.477.2205 | st-germain.com
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.
715.479.6400 | eagleriver.org
OCTOBER
2 Zurko Antique and Vintage Market
8am-4pm. Downtown Eagle River. Enjoy
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!
715.543.8488 | manitowishwaters.org
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!
715.385.2400 | boulderjct.org
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.
715.385.2400 | boulderjct.org
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.
Chamber-sponsored events are in blue. Events subject to change. For a complete list of events, visit vilas.org.
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
Community Center. 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.
715.385.2400 | boulderjct.org
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
Chamber-sponsored events are in blue. Events subject to change. For a complete list of events, visit vilas.org.
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.
715.477.2205 | st-germain.com
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
Community Center. 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.
715.477.2205 | st-germain.com
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
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Hwy 47 Lac du Flambeau
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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
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Onsite amenities include: Indoor Pool/Hot Tub • Fitness Center
Continental Breakfast • Microwaves & Mini Fridges
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On the snowmobile trail, Pitstop #25
5260 Hwy. 70W., Eagle River, WI 54521 EagleRiver-Inn.com
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More specialty care in
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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,
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Snowmobile trails
4103 County Hwy B Land O' Lakes, Wi / 715-547-3321 / gateway-lodge.com
• Clubhouse
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• 50 AMP Full Hookup
• New Seasonal Sites
1 Mi. North of Eagle River, WI on Hwy. 45 715-479-9124
715.479.3649 ADVERTISEMENTS 39
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
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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
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715.479.3649 ADVERTISEMENTS 41
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