Get ready for adventure as you explore the exciting, welcoming communities of Vilas County in Wisconsin’s Northwoods, which offer a unique mix of trails, lakes, and other attractions you won’t find anywhere else. Today, we’ll take a closer look Boulder Junction, Conover, Eagle River, Lac du Flambeau, Land O’ Lakes, and Manitowish Waters.
Boulder Junction
This vacation destination in west-central Vilas County offers outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation all year long, from snowmobiling in the winter to biking and hiking in the summer. Boulder Junction’s charming downtown is home to great shops, restaurants, and places to stay—explore this welcoming community today.
Lakes: Anglers, boaters, and paddlers will find plenty of waterways to explore, as there are nearly 200 lakes within 10 miles of downtown (including 50 Class-A musky lakes, one of the reasons that Boulder Junction is known as the Musky Capital of the World®). Popular lakes include North and South Trout Lake, White Sand Lake, and Fishtrap Lake.
Trails: Boulder Junction is located on the Heart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail, which stretches for more than 50 miles across the Northwoods. The Lumberjack Trail is a great spot for mountain bikers and fat-tire bikers and cross-country skiers in the winter.
Attractions: Stop for a selfie with Marty the Musky, a larger-than-life sculpture that sits outside the Boulder Junction Chamber of Commerce on County Highway K. Boulder Junction is also surrounded by the massive Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest (NHAL).
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Conover
Located in eastern Vilas County between Eagle River and Land O’ Lakes, Conover has been attracting Northwoods visitors for more than a century. Visitors can take advantage of untouched forests, stunning snowmobile trails, friendly lodging properties, and much more.
Lakes: Upper and Lower Buckatabon Lakes are a popular destination for boaters and a good spot for musky, pike, walleye, bass, and panfish.
Trails: Conover boasts more than 50 miles of excellent snowmobile trails that are overseen by the Conover Sno-Buddies snowmobile club, and the area is also home to the Tamaracks Off-Highway Motorcycle Trail, the only trail of its kind in Vilas County.
Attractions: The Chain Skimmers Water Ski Show Team puts on incredible aquatic displays on Lake Pleasant every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday in the summer.
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Eagle River
The Snowmobile Capital of the World®, the Hockey Capital of Wisconsin™, home to the largest chain of lakes in the world—Eagle River has lots of accolades to share, but mostly it’s just a great place for hiking, biking, fishing, fun events, winter recreation, and pretty much anything else you’re looking for in a Northwoods vacation destination.
Lakes: Did we mention the whole “world’s largest chain of lakes” thing? The Eagle River Chain of Lakes combines with the Three Lakes Chain to the south to form the largest freshwater chain of lakes in the world, featuring nearly 30 lakes and 174 miles of shoreline to explore.
Trails: The Three Eagle Trail connects Eagle River to Three Lakes to the south and is open to walkers, bikers, runners, and cross-country skiers. The Anvil Lake Trail offers excellent riding for mountain bikers of all skill levels.
Attractions: Catch a snowmobile race at the World Championship Derby Complex or learn about the history of snowmobiling at the World Snowmobile Headquarters, home to the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame.
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Lac du Flambeau
Discover abundant Northwoods nature and rich Native American history in Lac du Flambeau in western Vilas County. Taking its name from the practice of fishing by torchlight, Lac du Flambeau today is home to great opportunities for outdoor recreation, a casino and resort, and unique cultural attractions.
Lakes: The Lac du Flambeau Chain of Lakes is a spring-fed series of 10 lakes known for clear water and excellent fishing. The biggest lake on the chain is 3,500-acre Fence Lake, which contains musky, panfish, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and walleye.
Trails: The Northern Hornshoe Snowmobile Club maintains approximately 30 miles of trails in the Lac du Flambeau area, and the Powell Trail System (part of the NHAL) offers routes for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
Attractions: Learn about Native American culture at the George W. Brown Jr. Ojibwe Museum & Cultural Center or take in an authentic pow wow at the Waaswaaganing Indian Bowl Living Arts & Culture Center.
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Land O’ Lakes
Located on the border of Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in northern Vilas County, Land O’ Lakes lives up to its name, offering great spots for aquatic adventures like fishing, paddling, boating, and swimming.
Lakes: Black Oak Lake near Land O’ Lakes is one of Wisconsin’s clearest lakes (and one of the deepest, too, at 85 feet). Landing Lake is connected to Mill Lake, and both offer good fishing for northern pike and panfish.
Trails: The 22-mile Eagle River-Land O’ Lakes Bike Route connects the two destinations along a route that follows quiet forest roads and passes several lakes. ATVers and UTVers can explore the Landover ATV Club’s trails, which connect to Conover, Eagle River, and Phelps.
Attractions: The Storybook Garden, located in Land O’ Lakes Town Park (behind the NorthernWaters Museum), features hands-on exhibits and activities inspired by classic works of children’s literature.
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Manitowish Waters
On the western edge of Vilas County, Manitowish Waters sits in the heart of the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, and local attractions include the Manitowish Waters Chain of Lakes, cranberry marshes, and Little Bohemia, the lodge where infamous gangster John Dillinger had a shootout with the FBI in 1934.
Lakes: The 10-lake Manitowish Chain O’ Lakes is a popular spot for boaters, canoers, kayakers, and anglers, and Little Star Lake is home to Little Bohemia Lodge. The Heart of Vilas County Paved Trail passes through Manitowish Waters on its way to Mercer in neighboring Iron County.
Trails: The WinMan Trails, located halfway between Manitowish Waters and Winchester, are one of the region’s most popular mountain biking destinations, offering more than 23 miles of trails.
Attractions: Manitowish Waters cranberry marsh tours take place every Friday through early October at Cranberry Square Market, where visitors can learn about his unique aquatic crop.
