Hop on your motorcycle or take a seat behind the wheel and hit the road in Vilas County this fall: The heart of northern Wisconsin is an amazing place to see fall colors as you travel along scenic, tree-lined country roads and state highways. Here are a few suggested routes to get you started.
Rustic Road 60
Wisconsin’s Rustic Road program highlights lightly traveled scenic routes throughout the state, including County Highway K in central Vilas County. It runs for approximately 12 miles between County Highway M south of Boulder Junction and the community of Star Lake on County Highway N and passes several lakes, including White Sand Lake, Lost Canoe Lake, Ballard Lake, and Little Star Lake.
Eastern Vilas County
This 84-mile loop will take you through Conover, Eagle River, Land O’ Lakes, and Phelps in the eastern part of Vilas County, and it’s a great route to take in Northwoods scenery in the fall. Start in Eagle River in southeastern Vilas County before traveling northeast to Phelps then Land O’ Lakes on the Wisconsin-Michigan border. From there, the route heads west to U.S. Highway 45 before heading back to Eagle River via Conover.
Western Vilas County
Explore communities including Winchester, Manitowish Waters, Presque Isle, and Lac du Flambeau on this 120-mile route that covers the far western portion of Vilas County. This loop passes by several lakes, including the Lac du Flambeau Chain, Trout Lake, and Big Lake.
Vilas County Loop
Looking for an all-day (or multi-day) ride that will take you to fall color hotspots in every corner of Vilas County? Try this roughly 120-mile route that’s perfect for a fall motorcycling getaway. Along the way, you’ll ride along the shores of more than 20 lakes and through the towering trees of the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest and the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
Learn more about scenic drives in Vilas County and northern Wisconsin here.
