If you’re looking to put the “woods” in your trip to the Northwoods of Wisconsin, head to Winchester in the northwestern corner of Vilas County.
Natural beauty is everywhere you look in this charming town, as more than 75% of the town’s 34,000 acres are covered in woods, and the area is home to more than 60 lakes. Also, more than 6,000 acres of the town’s public land are part of the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, one of northern Wisconsin’s recreational gems.
The Northern Highland-American Legion (NHAL) State Forest spans more than 232,000 acres across three northern Wisconsin counties and is home to the highest concentration of lakes in Wisconsin, as well as nearly 90 miles of multi-use trails. Learn more about the NHAL State Forest here.
Bikers can enjoy the paved Presque Isle-Winchester Bike Route, which can be accessed at the Birch Lake Boat Landing in Winchester. The route follows quiet roads through the woods and bike lanes on the side of the road. Parking and trail access is available at Birch Lake (West Birch Lake Road), Presque Isle Lake (Bay View Road), and the Presque Isle Community Center. Learn more here.
Winchester is also home to the WinMan Trails, which are open to hiking and mountain biking in the spring, summer and fall and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fatbiking in the winter. Learn more here.
Learn more about Winchester and find local information here.
