The World Championship Snowmobile Derby on the Eagle River Derby Track helped put Vilas County on the map as a premier snowmobiling destination, but there’s a lot more to snowmobiling in northern Wisconsin than fast sleds. The snowmobile was literally born in Vilas County, and on these scenic Northwoods trails, you can explore that rich past while taking in some incredible natural beauty to boot.
Lac Vieux Desert
Vilas County is home to 1,300 lakes, which makes the riding opportunities especially scenic. For example, in northern Vilas County on the border with Michigan, you’ll find the headwaters of the Wisconsin River. Lac Vieux Desert is a 4,260-acre, spring-fed lake that’s a nice place to swing past on rides north to Land O’ Lakes and beyond.
Cathedral Point
Just south of Boulder Junction, you’ll find a beautiful, wooded peninsula that’s covered with massive, 130-foot pines. It’s called Cathedral Point and it’s one of the many natural wonders that you’ll encounter in Vilas County.
International Snowmobile Racing Hall of Fame & Museum
Snowmobile lovers must visit this museum in St. Germain, which is home to the world’s largest collection of historic snowmobiles.
World Snowmobile Headquarters
At this fun attraction in Eagle River—the Snowmobile Capital of the World®—you can explore the history of snowmobiling through the people and machines that invented, developed, and helped popularize the sport.
Carl Eliason & Co. Inc. Lumber & Hardware
Sayner is known as the birthplace of the modern snowmobile—the ubiquitous machine, first called a “motor toboggan”, was invented by Carl Eliason. Today, riders can see antique sleds on display at Sayner’s Eliason & Co Lumber and Hardware.
