Head to Vilas County in the heart of Wisconsin’s Northwoods this fall to see an explosion of color. Here’s a look at five incredible hiking trails that are guaranteed to show off some of northern Wisconsin’s best fall color.
Don’t forget: You can find more hiking trails (and trails of all sorts) on the free Map It Vilas County trails app.
Anvil Lake Trail, Eagle River
Located in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, the Anvil Lake Trail offers 12 miles of hiking routes that pass through Vilas County’s beautiful fall landscape. (The trail is also open to mountain bikers in spring, summer, and fall and cross-country skiers in the winter.) The trail is located across Hwy. 70 from the Anvil Lake Recreation Area.
How to get there: Take Hwy. 70 east from Eagle River for approximately 9 miles to reach a parking area south of the highway just past Military Road.
Madeline Trail, Minocqua Area
This trail system is home to roughly 10 miles of trails split into four different routes east of Woodruff in southwestern Vilas County. Most of the trails follow old logging roads that range from easy to moderate terrain with a few rolling hills. A state trail pass is not required for hikers, and leashed pets are allowed in spring, summer, and fall.
How to get there: Turn east on Hwy. 70 from U.S. Hwy. 51, then turn south on Rudolph Road and watch for the parking area on the east side of the road.
Van Vliet Hemlocks, Presque Isle
Hikers can trek through scenic old-growth forest—including hardwood and hemlocks—at this state natural area south of Presque Isle in northern Vilas County. Two different trail loops on either side of Van Vliet Lake and Averill Lake offer more than 400 acres and 1½ miles of undeveloped shoreline to explore.
How to get there: To reach the eastern trailhead, take Crab Lake Road south from Presque Isle for approximately 4 miles to East Van Vliet Road and continue west for about a mile. To reach the western trailhead, take Crab Lake Road south from Presque Isle for 5 miles to West Van Vliet Road and stay on West Van Vliet Road until you reach the parking area.
Star Lake Nature Trail, Sayner-Star Lake
Another nature trail that’s located in the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, this short trail system offers mile-long and 2-mile loops on a beautiful peninsula that juts out into the middle of Star Lake in central Vilas County. The 1-mile loop is an interpretive trail featuring signage that educates hikers about their natural surroundings, and the 2-mile route follows a moderately rolling landscape along the sides of the peninsula. There is no trail fee, and pets are not allowed.
How to get there: From Star Lake, head west on County Hwy. K to Statehouse Road and turn south. A trailhead with a parking area is located at the end of Statehouse Road near the West Star Lake Campground.
Shannon Trail, St. Germain
This trail system offers several loops that cover gently rolling terrain east of St. Germain in southern Vilas County, ranging in length from 2 miles to more than 6 miles. The loop around 35-acre Shannon Lake offers outstanding views in every season but especially when trees are turning in the fall. About half the trail passes through areas that were logged in the 1970s and early 2000s. No trail pass is required, and leashed pets are allowed.
How to get there: From St. Germain, head north on Hwy. 155 for about 3 miles to Lost Lake Drive South, then proceed north one block to Found Lake Road. Continue for 2 miles on Found Lake Road to the trailhead.
