Vilas County ATV & UTV routes connect the communities of St. Germain, Arbor Vitae, Lincoln, Eagle River, Conover, Phelps, Presque Isle, Sayner-Star Lake-Cloverland, Boulder Junction, Winchester, and Land O’ Lakes in northern Wisconsin.
Current trails developed by the Landover ATV Club , Sayner Barnstormers, St. Germain ATV Club, Winegar Riders ATV Club, and Lakeland ATV Club connect the communities of Eagle River, Conover, Phelps, Land O’ Lakes, Presque Isle, St. Germain, and the Arbor Vitae area. Riders can cover a variety of terrain, from paved roads to dirt routes on former fire roads. Vilas County’s ATV/UTV route system also connect to routes and trails in neighboring counties throughout the Northwoods of Wisconsin.
In 2025, Vilas County approved opening all county highways except those in the town of Lac du Flambeau to ATV/UTV traffic year-round. This includes County Highways A, B, C, E, G, H (town of Boulder Junction only), J, K, M, N, O, P, S, and W.
ATV and UTV travel is illegal on numbered highways in Vilas County (17, 32, 45, 47, 51, 70, and State Highway 155) with some exceptions:
- State Highway 17 from County Highway E to Deerskin Road (Phelps)
- State Highway 70 from State Highway 155 to Parkway Drive (St. Germain)
- State Highway 155 from State Highway 70 to Birchwood Drive (St. Germain)
- State Highway 155 from County Highway N to Plum Lake Drive (Plum Lake)
Opening date for trails is dependent on weather and trail conditions.
Navigating the trails is easy with the Map It Vilas County trails app, which covers existing routes aside from the newly added and signed county highways. It’s good for long-haul rides as well as shorter outings. The app uses GPS and works without a cell signal, so it will keep you on track.
For more maps and ATV/UTV information, visit the Vilas County Forestry Department’s website.
Along with the privilege of enjoying the sport comes the responsibility of making sure you are operating these vehicles safely and responsibly. ATV and UTV operators born on or after January 1, 1988, who are at least 12 years old for ATV (and at least 16 years old for UTV) must complete an ATV and UTV safety certification course in order to operate on public ATV/UTV trails and areas in Wisconsin. Individuals under the age of 18 must wear a helmet. For more information about ATV/UTV riding in Wisconsin, visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website.
