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Fun snowmobile daytrips in Vilas County

Category:

  • Activities
  • Article
  • Seasonal
  • Snowmobiling
  • Winter

Vilas County is a snowmobiler’s paradise—riders can enjoy scenic, well-groomed trails that pass through some of the most beautiful parts of northern Wisconsin. Wondering where to go? Here’s a look at some quick trips you can take on your next Northwoods snowmobile adventure.

Learn more about snowmobiling in Vilas County here.

Navigate your way on Vilas County’s trails with the free Map It Vilas County trails app.

Western Vilas County

Presque Isle and Winchester in northwestern Vilas County offer outstanding snowmobiling on well-groomed trails that connect to routes in Manitowish Waters to the south, Boulder Junction to the southeast and Mercer in Iron County to the west. If you’re starting in Presque Isle, take Corridor #6 west out of town to Trail #2 northwest of Manitowish Waters—from there, you can head west on Trail #51 to Mercer or keep following Trail #2 east to Boulder Junction (Corridor #15 heads north and meets Corridor #6, which heads back west to Presque Isle).

Snowmobilers in southwestern Vilas County can explore routes in Lac du Flambeau, which connect to Mercer to the northwest and to Woodruff, Minocqua, and Arbor Vitae to the east via Corridor #17. From Woodruff, Arbor Vitae, riders can take Trail #51 north to Boulder Junction and its connected communities if they’re looking for a longer ride.

Central Vilas County

The Minocqua Area is a great place for a Northwoods snowmobiling adventure as it connects to communities in south-central Vilas County like Sayner-Star Lake, St. Germain, and Lac du Flambeau, as well as Oneida County communities like Lake Tomahawk and Hazelhurst to the south. Starting in Arbor Vitae, Trail #11 heads northeast into the heart of Vilas County to the community of Star Lake, where riders can venture on to Conover to the east or loop back around to Sayner on Trail #7. There are lots of interconnected routes to explore between Woodruff, Arbor Vitae, Sayner, and St. Germain, so snowmobilers will find plenty to explore.

Boulder Junction is home to more than 70 miles of expertly groomed trails that pass through downtown Boulder Junction and past scenic lakes like White Sand Lake and Trout Lake. Take Corridor #15 to Corridor #6 north of town to reach Presque Isle, or ride Corridor #15 south to reach Trail #11, which takes riders to Arbor Vitae or Star Lake.

Western Vilas County

Eagle River is the Snowmobile Capital of the World®, so you’re sure to find great riding in this community in southwestern Vilas County. (It’s also home to fun attractions like the World Snowmobile Headquarters and the annual World Championship Snowmobile Derby.) It’s a great place to start a snowmobiling adventure, as you can ride Trail #17 to Phelps, Corridor #13 to Conover, Trail #7/70 west to St. Germain, or into Oneida County to the south or Forest County to the east.

There is a nice roundtrip route that goes from Phelps to Three Lakes in Oneida County then back north to Eagle River and Conover or a 100-mile circle route that goes from Phelps into Iron River and Watersmeet in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, through Land O’ Lakes and then back to Phelps.

Land O’ Lakes sits on the border of Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and offers great riding throughout northern Wisconsin and the U.P.—riders can explore great routes around Lake Gogebic, Bergland, and Bruce Crossing, as well as further destinations like Iron River and Crystal Falls.