Vilas County
In the Heart of 
Wisconsin's Northwoods Lake Country

Wherever you travel in Vilas County you'll experience the beautiful northwoods and lakes of this northern Wisconsin vacationland. With just over half million acres of public forest lands all open for your hiking, biking, scenic driving or wildlife watching adventures and more than 1300 sparkling lakes for all kinds of water recreation, Vilas County is an ideal place to live or visit any time of the year.

Communities

The Vilas County communities of Arbor Vitae, Boulder Junction, Conover, Eagle River, Lac du Flambeau, Land O'Lakes, Manitowish Waters, Phelps, Presque Isle, St. Germain, Sayner, and Winchester offer small town charm, beautiful scenery and lots of activities. You'll be greeted by  friendly people and delightful small-town festivals, celebrations, and attractions your whole family will enjoy.

Outdoor Recreation

In all seasons Vilas County features lots of outdoor adventure as well as plenty of places for rest and relaxation. In the summer over 1300 pristine lakes and 73 streams and rivers insure that water recreation is always nearby. The area features superior fishing for bass, walleye, musky and northern pike. In fact, Boulder Junction is known as the "Musky Capital of the World. Whether you enjoy canoeing leisurely, boating, waterskiing, swimming or relaxing on the beach, the area's chain of lakes offer great water recreation.  Excellent golf courses, cranberry marsh tours and nature watching  and so much offer visitors a huge variety of activities. 

With over 600 miles of well groomed snowmobile trails which are  ranked among the top in the country, and world class cross country ski trails, Vilas County is a perfect winter destination. Tubing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and ice skating are also popular activities. In the fall the vast forests burst into a dazzling panorama of yellows, reds, gold and  orange making the area truly a breathtaking sight.

Shopping, Dining & Lodging

In Vilas County you'll find unique shopping, delicious eating and excellent accommodations with a large variety to fit all tastes. Browsers and serious shoppers will enjoy the friendliness of small shops featuring everything from original art, antiques and handcrafted items to northwoods gifts, home accessories, sporting goods and lots more.  Experience great home cooked meals in casual northwoods settings or exquisite gourmet restaurants. Enjoy a great night's rest on the water or in the woods in deluxe resorts, cottages, family motels, bed and breakfast inns and campsites. 

Area Attractions

• Vilas County Historical Museum, Sayner

• North Lakeland Discovery Center, Manitowish Waters

• Northwoods Children's Museum, Eagle River

• Carl's Wood Art Museum, Eagle River

• George W. Brown, Jr. Ojibwe Museum & Cultural Center, Lac du Flambeau

• Blackjack Springs Wilderness Area

• Hiking & Biking Trails

• Nature Hiking Trails

• Chain of Lakes

• Eagles Nests

• The Continental Divide

• Walleye Rearing Ponds, Presque Isle

• Dillinger's Hideout, Manitowish Waters

• Trees for Tomorrow, Eagle River

• Star Lake Forestry Plantation

• Northern Highland and American Legion State Forests

• Cranberry Bogs

• Eagle River Snowmobile Derby Track

Vilas County
A Special Place to Live or Visit

Vilas County Business Directory

Area Attractions, Current Events, Museums, Parks and Things To Do in Vilas County