Explore on Land

Trails, trails, and more trails. Within the boundaries of Manitowish Waters, there are countless miles of trails for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

The 52-mile Heart of Vilas Bike Trail goes right through downtown Manitowish Waters and connects a total of 5 towns: Mercer, Manitowish Waters, Boulder Junction, Sayner/Star Lake, and St. Germain.

These dedicated bike paths have become well-known in the biking community and attract visitors from all over the country. Riders flow in and out of the towering pine trees, skirting lakes and going over beautiful rivers. Recently designated as a National Recreation Trail, the Heart of Vilas Bike Trail continues to grow since the first mile was paved back in 1998.

Right off the paved bike trail on County W, the North Lakeland Discovery Center (NLDC) offers 12 miles of maintained trails for hiking, birding, snowshoeing, and off-road biking. Make plans to attend a naturalist-led program, or learn about the fascinating history of Manitowish Waters with a joint NLDC and Manitowish Waters Historical Society program.

Continue heading west on Hwy W and you’ll eventually reach WinMan Trails. With over 20 miles of mountain bike trails, hiking, snowshoe, and cross-country ski trails, you can spend days out at WinMan and always see something new. Well-behaved dogs are always welcome to enjoy the fresh air as well.

This year, a new interpretive trail will be open to visitors. Signs along the trail tell the story of the history of Camp Mercer, a Civilian Conservation Corps camp. The camp was built beginning in 1933, and today hikers or snowshoers can meander the 3.5-mile mowed trail, view ruins and remnants of old buildings, and discover something new about this fascinating time in the history of Manitowish Waters.

Winter Trail Experience Winter brings a whole new experience to the trails. The Sno-Skeeters Snowmobile Club grooms and maintains more than 25 miles of pristine snowmobile trails, which are part of a larger network of more than 1,600 miles of trails in the Northwoods. The club promotes safety and trail enjoyment, and for all these reasons, Manitowish Waters is truly a snowmobiler’s paradise!

North Lakeland School offers 6 miles of flat, groomed ski and snowshoe trails. Park near the warming hut just off of Papoose Lake Road, and help yourself to a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.

photo by Amye Fritz

There’s little as satisfying as cutting through fresh powder at one of the area’s downhill ski resorts within an hour’s drive of Manitowish Waters:

Indianhead Mountain Resort, Wakefield, MI ............................................... 31 mi Blackjack Ski Resort, Bessemer, MI ................................................. 33 mi Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort, Bessemer, MI ................................................. 37 mi Mt. Zion Ski Hill, Ironwood, MI................................................. 39 mi Whitecap Ski Resort, Montreal/Upson, WI .................................... 47 mi Camp 10 Ski Area, Rhinelander, WI ............................................ 57 mi