Four Seasons of Fun

Four Seasons

of fun

When you visit Manitowish Waters, one common feeling is simply, “Ahhhhh.” It’s a place so far removed from city or suburban life that you really can escape from it all.

Whether you are here for a day, a week, a month, a season, or decide to make Manitowish Waters your year-round home, there is something fun to do no matter what time of year.

Summer

Bike the Heart! The Heart of Vilas Bike Trail System has attracted cyclists from all over the country to ride the 52+ miles of paved, dedicated bike trails. Or, skip the pavement altogether and ride the incredible WinMan Trails, a mountain biking paradise for all skill levels.

No bike, no problem! Rent an e-bike at River’s Edge downtown kiosk

Hop in a kayak or canoe and paddle the 40+ miles of waterways starting on the Manitowish Waters chain of lakes, float down the Manitowish River, or explore the Turtle Flambeau Flowage, a pristine 13,000 acre lake. Along the way, hop out for a rest, a swim, or a snack.

Enjoy weekly events such as the free Manitowish Waters Skiing Skeeters waterski show on Wednesday and Saturday nights. The Skiing Skeeters have been delighting guests since 1954 and continue to wow guests with their lively shows.

photo by Steven Bartling

The Manitowish Waters Lions Club hosts bingo every Monday at the Community Center, where all are welcome. Doors open and concessions begin at 6pm with games starting at 7pm.

On Thursdays from 9am-2pm, vendors at the Lions Flea and Farmers Market offer fresh produce, hand-made crafts, and flea type items for sale. Don’t forget to grab a “World Famous” cheeseburger for lunch from the Lions’ food truck.

If you love live music, then you simply must walk, bike, boat, or drive to Music in the Park, held every Sunday from 4-6pm in Koller Park. In addition, numerous local restaurants and taverns bring in talented bands and musicians from surrounding communities, and you can find live music 4-5 nights a week throughout the summer.

Fall

Fall is dominated by the most beautiful harvest in the world - cranberries! Deeply embedded in the history of Manitowish Waters, the cranberry harvest is one of the primary economic drivers of the area. Additionally, wildlife - and nature or wildlife photographers - flock to the cranberry marshes, which are especially magical in the morning.

Visit a working cranberry marsh to learn about the history, cultivation, and present impact of cranberries. Free weekly tours occur every Friday at 10am, from mid-August through early October at Cranberry Square Market on Alder Lake Road.

September and October are perfect for hiking, biking, paddling, and taking leisurely drives around the area. Fall colors are simply spectacular in Manitowish Waters, and everywhere you look there’s a vista prettier than the last one.

Watch out for wildlife! As the leaves begin to fall, the forest opens up to reveal vast areas previously hidden by foliage. Keep an eye out for white tailed deer, turkeys, red foxes, coyotes, muskrats, otters, beavers, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, loons, trumpeter swans, ducks, and more. If you’re lucky, you might even spy a black bear, a gray wolf, or an all-white albino deer.

Many people love to fish from opening day in early May throughout the summer, but muskie fishing is especially popular in the fall. Schedule a day with one of our experienced fishing guides and experience our lakes in a whole new way.

Families and friends have hunted in the Northwoods since the beginning of time, and the fall would not be complete without duck blinds, camouflage, and lots of blaze orange. With 43% of Vilas County designated as public lands, you have access to more than 240,000 acres of woods and wetlands to enjoy.

Winter

Winter is a bit of a hidden gem because Manitowish Waters has a reputation for being cold and snowy. With the right gear, however, winter just might become your favorite season in the Northwoods.

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.

To move at a slightly slower pace, you can cross-country ski, snowshoe, or fat tire bike every day for weeks and not cross the same path twice. Head to the North Lakeland Discovery Center, Mecca Trails, WinMan Trails, Powell Marsh Wildlife Area, North Lakeland School trails, Van Vliet Hemlocks, and a brand new interpretative trail at Camp Mercer CCC Camp, for miles and miles of fun.

For ice skating and hockey enthusiasts, the hockey rink at North Lakeland School is the perfect place to spend a few hours. Don’t have skates? No problem, simply borrow a pair from inside the warming hut, and warm up with a hot chocolate and a snack while you’re there.

Within about an hour’s drive, visitors to Manitowish Waters can access some of the best downhill skiing in the Midwest! With six ski hills to choose from (Big Snow Resort, Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort, Ski Brule, Pine Mountain Ski Resort, Mt Zion Ski Hill), you’ll be whooshing down your new favorite hill in no time.

As the snow melts and spring rains pass through, swollen rivers feed some of the most impressive waterfalls in the Midwest.

As lake ice begins to melt and rivers quicken their flow, paddling the Manitowish River is especially nice in the spring. Bugs and people are few and far between, making it an incredibly peaceful time of year to explore the waterways.

Spring is also a great time to enjoy our indoor spaces – do some shopping, grab a coffee or a meal at one of our wonderful restaurants, treat yourself at the salon or spa, and relax with a puzzle or game from Koller Memorial Library (available to anyone, no library card required).

New in 2022, Manitowish Waters will have an indoor youth recreation center with basketball, hockey, table games, and more. This new facility is located next to Koller Library in the old fire house.

photo by Den Hill