Get out and play in the snow this winter in Vilas County! Outdoor adventurers will find plenty to explore in this neck of Wisconsin’s Northwoods, as the county is home to dozens of trails open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Here are a few you shouldn’t miss.
Madeline Trail, Arbor Vitae
Located in the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest in southern Vilas County, the Madeline Trail winds around three lakes and is a great spot for all levels of skiers, as it’s groomed and tracked for skiing and features generally level terrain. There’s also a shelter and a fire ring on the trail system.
North Trout Lake Trail, Boulder Junction
Another trail that’s part of the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, the North Trout Lake Trail is a great spot for snowshoeing, as it’s an easy trail that passes through a tamarack bog and along the shoreline of Trout Lake.
Rohr’s Wilderness Trails, Conover
Head to Conover in northern Vilas County to find more than 3 miles of groomed trails that are open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter and hiking and biking in the summer.
Three Eagle Trail, Eagle River
This roughly 12-mile trail connects Eagle River in southeastern Vilas County to Three Lakes in northeastern Oneida County, and in winter, nearly 5 miles of the route is groomed for skate skiing and classical cross-country skiing.
Powell Trail, Lac du Flambeau
Skiers and snowshoers can travel this easy, ungroomed trail near Lac du Flambeau in northwestern Vilas County. The trail system is part of the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest and is next to the Powell Marsh Wildlife Area northeast of Highway 47.
Wilderness Lakes Trail System, Land O’ Lakes
This sprawling trail system includes routes in and around Land O’ Lakes in northern Vilas County and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and offers abundant opportunities for snowshoeing & cross-country skiing.
WinMan Trails, Manitowish Waters & Winchester
A popular spot for mountain biking in the warmer months, the WinMan Trails cover more than 1,300 acres of scenic Vilas County forest between Manitowish Waters and Winchester. In winter, the trails are groomed for skate and classic cross-country skiing and are also open to snowshoeing and fat-tire biking.
Vista Lake Bike Routes, Phelps
This set of three trails that passes through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and county forests in the northeastern part of Vilas County are open to snowshoeing in the winter (it’s a popular route for bikers in the spring, summer, and fall).
Pipke Park Trail System, Presque Isle
Home to two shorter routes—the Pond Trail is 1.5 miles, and the Wilderness Trail is 2.8 miles—the Pipke Park Trail System welcomes snowshoers and hikers in the winter.
Star Lake Trail, Sayner-Star Lake-Cloverland
Take in amazing views of the snow-covered shores of Star Lake on this scenic trail, which is part of the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest. The trail has a one-mile loop and a 2-mile loop that’s open to snowshoeing (but ungroomed) in the winter.
Awassa Nature Preserve & Hiking Trail, St. Germain
This beginner-level trail in southern Vilas County is open to skiers, snowshoers, and fat-tire bikers in the winter, offering loops of various lengths that pass through Northwoods pines, balsam firs, oaks, and maples.
