Vilas County, Wisconsin | Boulder Junction
Boulder Junction is located in the heart of the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. This beautiful region of the state is filled with over 1,300 sparkling lakes, old growth forest, calling loons, endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, and most importantly, Northwoods peace. Winter is one of the most beautiful season in the Northwoods.
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The Glide at Winter Park
If you’re a fan of ice skating, be sure to check out the Glide at Winter Park in Boulder Junction! Recently featured in Midwest Living, Boulder Junction’s Glide Ice Skating Ribbon at Winter Park is a beautiful, 0.8 mile skating ribbon in the heart of Vilas County. The skating ribbon is lit by solar lights, and is surrounded by beautiful pine forest. The Glide is groomed regularly. Skates are available to borrow; as another option, you can rent skates from Coontail in town. Additionally, Winter Park is home to a sledding hill, ice skating rink, warming shelter and bonfire pit for visitors to enjoy.
Glide Location and Hours
Location: The Glide is located at Winter Park 10135 Old K Rd., Boulder Junction, WI 54512. The park is a quarter mile east of Lakewood Market.
Hours: Open from 10am -10pm daily as weather conditions allow. Admission is FREE and open to the public. Call ahead for more information at 715.385.2220. Reservations are encouraged!
Coontail | Boulder Junction
Ice skate rentals are available at Coontail, located at 5466 Park Street in downtown Boulder Junction. For outdoor activities, Coontail is the place to stop for your recreational needs. In the summer months, Coontail offers bike repair, Ebike rentals, kayaks, canoes, water carpets, and stand up paddleboards! Coontail has friendly, helpful staff and a wonderful selection of bike gear and apparel. I always find something for one of my outdoor adventures!
Coontail Sports, downtown Boulder Junction, WI
Boulder Junction | Fallison Lake Trail
Vilas County is home to one of the largest concentrations of freshwater lakes in the world! Read more about Vilas County’s many lakes, rivers and streams HERE. One of my favorite Vilas County hikes in any season is the Fallison Lake Trail. Located within the Northern Highland-Legion State Forest, the trail is open to hikers and snowshoers. Fallison Lake has four separate loops of varying length, shown on the trail map below. Download a detailed map HERE.
- Yellow: 0.62 miles
- Red: 2.34 miles
- Blue: 2.07 miles
- Green: 1.33 miles
Fallison Lake Trail Access
You can access the trail west of Sayner, WI on County Highway N across from the Crystal Lake campground. I have hiked this trail in summer, but it is serene and stunning in any season.
Boulder Junction | North Trout Nature Trail
The North Trout Nature Trail is a gorgeous one mile trail along the Northern shore of Boulder Junction’s Trout Lake. To access the trailhead, travel south on County Highway M from downtown Boulder Junction 4 miles to the parking area. What makes this trail unique is its location amidst a black spruce tamarack bog. The trail is open for hiking and snowshoeing. Bikes are not permitted. This trail is beautiful in spring as wildflowers emerge. Download a detailed map HERE.
Boulder Junction | Lumberjack Trail
Located just a mile from Boulder Junction, the Lumberjack Trail winds through red pine and hemlock and maple forest, and connects with the Escanaba-Pallete Lake Trail. The Lumberjack Trail can be accessed in two locations. Access the trail at 9603 Concora Road via Old Highway K east, or at 9307 County Highway K. The Lumberjack Trail has three separate loops of varying length, shown on the trail map below. Download a detailed map HERE.
- Red: 4.57 miles
- Blue: 4.57 miles
- Green: 2.94 miles
Sayner | Star Lake Trail
A serene Vilas County trail that I’ve enjoyed for 30+ years in every season is the beautiful Star Lake Trail, just outside of Boulder Junction. Located on County Highway K, about 15 miles east of town, the Star Lake Trail represents Northwoods Beauty at its finest. Located at 8000 Statehouse Road in Sayner, Wisconsin, 54560, the Star Lake Trail offers a 2.04 mile loop through and along the shore of Star Lake. Bikes are not permitted on the trail. The trail is not groomed. It is open year round for hiking and snowshoeing. Download a detailed map HERE.
All Trails Maps/App
You can find detailed information on Wisconsin’s many scenic trails on the AllTrails website and AllTrails app. Search 500,000+ trails by state and trail type – includes photos, maps, and detailed trail reviews.
- 500K+ trails
- 90M+ members
- 1.8B+ miles logged
- 2.9B+ kilometers logged
- 14 languages supported
To explore the AllTrails app, sign up for a Free 7-day trial HERE.
Boulder Junction Coffee Company
For a hot coffee or drink or sandwich to follow fun in the snow, visit Boulder Junction Coffee Company, located at 10356 Main Street in downtown Boulder Junction. Open daily from 6am-3pm, the menu includes Colectivo coffee (my personal favorite), sandwiches, bakery items, grab and go cooler items, and all day breakfast. Check out the menu HERE.
Boulder Junction | Biking
For more information on biking in Vilas County, read more about the 52-mile Heart of Vilas County Trail in my blog post: Bike Wisconsin’s Beautiful Northwoods | Heart of Vilas County Trail. Download the Map It! Vilas County app for mobile access to all of Vilas County’s trails.
Enjoy Wisconsin’s unique Northwoods beauty!
-Erin
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