Vilas County Government Website
For a short stay or a long one…
Whatever you want to do on your vacation or with your life, Vilas County can be a place to do it. This is why this beautiful county's motto is "Whatever a reason, there's a season to experience Vilas County."
On April 12, 1993, Vilas County celebrated its 100th birthday.
Vilas County is located next to Oneida County’s northern border in north-central Wisconsin. When Vilas County became independent, it contained the two towns of Eagle River and Minocqua, with Arbor Vitae added in 1899. Minocqua would later become a part of Oneida County.
In its history, Vilas County has been part of Marathon County, Lincoln County, and Oneida County, until it became independent in 1893. It was named after William F. Vilas of Madison, who came to Wisconsin from Vermont when he was 11 and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1858. Vilas attained the rank of lieutenant colonel during the Civil War, was Postmaster General of the United States from 1885-1888, was Secretary of the Interior (1888-1891), and U.S. Senator (1891- 1897).
What can you do here?Depending on the season, you can do just about anything in Vilas County. Recreation and tourism are the major industries in the area.
- Fall: Tour the cranberry marshes in Manitowish Waters, hunt turkeys, grouse, or deer, fishing for walleye, musky, or bass, hiking, golfing, walking, biking, enjoying spectacular colors, enjoy the gorgeous fall colors at the area's annual Colorama.
- Winter: Winter is no time for cabin fever in Vilas County, when you can take to the trails on a snowmobile in Eagle River or watch snowmobile racing at the Eagle River 500 (considered the "Snowmobile Capital of the World"), plunge into a cold lake at the annual Polar Bear Plunge for charity, cross country ski on pristine trails, snowshoe through the woods, or attend one of Vilas County's winter festivals.
- Spring: In Vilas County's short spring, you can walk on the many hiking trails, run a marathon, watch the spring birds migrate northward, attend the Wisconsin Regional art show, take your three or four-wheeler out, bike, or just enjoy the scent of spring.
- Summer: Take a walk on the wild side when you hike or bike on the vast number of wilderness trails, fish, boat, golf at one of the 9 golf courses in Vilas County, silently paddle a canoe or kayak on a lake, river, or flowage, take a boat or pontoon out to enjoy the great weather, swim, play tennis, watch spectacular community fireworks on Independence Day, watch the annual Musky Jamboree in Boulder Junction, or attend Paul Bunyan Fest in Eagle River.
Other activities include checking out the North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters and watching eagles at the many aeries located near Vilas County's waterways. Or, have some fun with friends at the Lake of the Torches Casino in Lac du Flambeau, visit John Dillinger's famous hideout (featured in the upcoming Johnny Depp film "Public Enemies") and dine at Little Bohemia Restaurant in Manitowish Waters, or check out Trees for Tomorrow natural resource education center in Eagle River. You may also want to attend art festivals, or community and professional theater. In the summer, there are festivals celebrating just about everything in Vilas County!
All year long: You'll find many places to shop in Vilas County. Flea markets are plentiful, and you can purchase just about anything you'd like, including, antiques, everyday essentials, gifts, art, souvenirs, and jewelry.
As you can see, there are plenty of things to do and see in Vilas County, whether you visit, or choose to live in this gorgeous area of Wisconsin.
How do you get here?You can easily access Vilas County via state and local highways. Three private airports service Vilas County: Eagle River Union Airport, King' s Land O' Lakes Airport, and Manitowish Waters Airport. The Rhinelander/Oneida Airport, for commercial flights, is located about 30 miles south in Rhinelander, WI.
Living in Vilas CountyHousing is affordable Vilas County. Nearly 82% of the population owns their homes, with the median value of owner-occupied homes at over $106,000.
- Population in 2000: approximately 21,000, expanding to about 22.000 in 2006.
- Area: around 873 square miles (about 17% of this is water area)
- County seat: Eagle River
- Number of lakes: over 1300
- Snowmobile trails: over 600 miles of groomed trails
- Some communities in Vilas County: Eagle River, Boulder Junction, Conover, St. Germain, Manitowish Waters, Land o' Lakes, Lac du Flambeau, Phelps, Sayner
- Average winter daytime temperature: 22 F
- Average summer daytime temperature: 81 F
- Average snowfall: 55 inches
- Average rainfall: 31 inches
White and red pines, birch, maple, hemlock.
Wildlife:If you are observant, you might see bald eagles, black bear, wolves, foxes, coyotes, fishers, and of course, whitetail deer.
Vilas County has an abundant population of fish including walleye, northern pike, bass, crappie, yellow perch, bluegil, and musky, as well as many species of pan fish.
Enjoy your stay in Vilas County – whatever season you choose!
