If you want to experience some of the best fall color drives in Wisconsin, look no further than Vilas County in the heart of the Northwoods. The forests of Vilas County put on a stunning show every fall, exploding into a palette of reds, yellows, and oranges, and visitors can take in this amazing display along several scenic motorcycle routes and auto tours.
Here are a few of our favorites.
Rustic Road 60
Wisconsin boasts more than 120 Rustic Roads—scenic, lightly traveled routes that show off the state’s natural beauty—and the only one in Vilas County can be found south of Boulder Junction. Rustic Road 60 is a 12-mile route that passes through the heart of the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest (NHAL), running from County Highway K to County Highway M in the Sayner-Star Lake-Cloverland area. The route offers lakeside drives past White Sand Lake, Lost Canoe Lake, White Birch Lake, Ballard Lake, and Little Star Lake.
Vilas County Loop
If you’re a motorcyclist and looking for a way to extend your exploration of the Northwoods after the annual Fall Ride in Tomahawk, head north to Vilas County and continue your adventure. This 120-mile loop circles the entire county and can be broken up into smaller sections if you want to stretch it out for a couple of days. The loop passes through many of Vilas County’s major communities, including Arbor Vitae, Eagle River, Phelps, Land O’ Lakes, Presque Isle, St. Germain, and Winchester. The route passes through sections of the NHAL and the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and offers lakeside rides along the shores of nearly two dozen lakes, including Lac Vieux Desert, the largest lake in the Northwoods and the source of the Wisconsin River.
County Highway B
This short ride (about 30 miles) is a great option if you don’t want to be on your motorcycle or in the car all day but still want to take in some beautiful fall scenery in Vilas County. It’s an easy enough ride: just follow County Highway B east from Presque Isle to Land O’ Lakes. Along the way, you can stop and explore attractions like the Catherine Wolter Wilderness Area and the Land O’ Lakes Bike Trail.
Click here to discover more scenic motorcycle rides and auto tours in Vilas County in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.
