Boulder Junction is the Musky Capital of the World® and a vacation paradise. It’s the perfect place to experience forest scenery, lakeside resorts, great trails and outstanding fishing. Boulder Junction is situated in the middle of the Northern Highland–American Legion State Forest and surrounded by beautiful lakes and an incredible variety of wildlife. There’s no better place to be in Wisconsin.
Best of all, a Boulder Junction vacation is a great value. A one-week stay in Boulder Junction would cost a couple between $500 and $1200. For a family of four, a week-long vacation would run between $600 and $1400. A great selection of resorts, motels, cottages, cabins, vacation homes and campgrounds gives travelers a long list of affordable lodging options. And with fishing, boating, hiking, biking, shopping and dining all located in close proximity, you won’t spend your whole vacation driving.
What would a one-week vacation in Boulder Junction look like? Here’s a sample vacation itinerary.
Day 1: Arrive in Boulder Junction
2pm – Stop at the Boulder Junction Chamber of Commerce. Pick up maps, community information and useful advice for your Boulder Junction vacation. Knowledgeable staff can give you some great suggestions on everything from the best paddling lakes to photographing the area’s famous “ghost deer.”
3pm – Pick-up groceries for the week. Stop into a local grocery store for all the snacks, beverages, breakfast, lunch and dinner supplies you will need for your vacation. Don’t forget the marshmallows for those evening campfires!
4pm – Check into your motel, cabin, resort, campground or vacation home.
5pm – Dinner in Boulder Junction.
8pm – Check out the sunset before you head off to bed.
Day 2: Smooth Pedaling and Sandy Beaches
8am – Grab breakfast.
9am – Hop on your bicycle. Boulder Junction offers exceptional bicycling
opportunities. We’ll start at the Chamber office in downtown Boulder Junction and
head out of town on the Crystal Lake Trail. Keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles
and other wildlife.
Noon – Lunch.
1pm – Back to pedaling on the Crystal Lake Trail.
3pm – Swimming. The perfect way to cool off after a day of bicycling is to swim in one of Boulder Junction’s crystal-clear lakes. The Crystal Lake Beach and Nichols Beach are two great spots for a swim.
5pm – Dinner.
7pm – Campfire. Stay up and watch the fireflies and listen to the peaceful sounds of the forest at night.
Day 3: Fishing for a Boulder Junction trophy
5am – Wake up. Rise well before the sun and head to the dock for our day of fishing.
5:30am – Meet the Fishing Guide at the dock. Boulder Junction is one of
Wisconsin’s premier fishing destinations. Fish for crappie, northern pike, walleye, musky, smallmouth and largemouth bass and bluegill on 194 area lakes. The best way to get a handle on what fish are biting and how to catch them is to hire one of Boulder Junction’s Fishing Guides. These highly-experienced professionals have the know-how and advice you need to catch more fish.
Noon – Shore lunch. Sit back, relax and dine on freshly-fried fish prepared by
your Guide as you gaze out over a beautiful Boulder Junction lake.
1pm – Back on the water! Use the skills you’ve learned this morning to catch more fish this afternoon.
3pm – Head back to the dock.
3:30pm – Take a nap. Something about a day spent on the water makes every angler want to take a siesta. So, take a nap—after all, you’re on vacation.
5pm – Dinner. Grill out or head into town for a meal at one of Boulder Junction’s many restaurants.
7pm – Campfire. Grab some marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers, then start a fire—voila, you have everything you need to enjoy a perfect Northwoods night.
Day 4: Trekking the Woodland Trail
8am – Breakfast. After breakfast, visit a local grocery store and put together a picnic lunch for today’s trail adventure.
9am – Arrive at the trailhead. Boulder Junction offers more than just an outstanding paved trail system. Choose from a number of fantastic area trails offering mountain biking, hiking, and birdwatching. Here are just some of Boulder Junctions many great woodland trails:
Lumberjack Trail. One of three trails specifically maintained for mountain biking
in the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest. The Lumberjack trail has
two trailheads: one on Old K Road and the other off of Concora Road. This 12 mile
trail runs through majestic pine forests and includes several wetlands.
Expect some hills and many scenic stretches. Bald eagles are often seen soaring
over the large lakes in this area. The Lumberjack Trail also connects with the
Escanaba Lake Hiking Trail—a great place for a hike if you want to get off the
saddle for a little while. The Lumberjack Trail requires the purchase of a Wisconsin
State Trail pass at the trailhead.
Nichols Beach Trail. For those looking for a relaxing bicycling experience, this
3-mile trail is the perfect choice. The trail runs west from the Chamber office to
Nichols Beach, a great place for a picnic and swimming.
Escanaba-Pallette Lakes Trail. This rolling and scenic trail wraps its way around a beautiful lake for one of the best trail experiences in all the Northwoods. Trail loops range from two miles to more than 8 miles. To reach the trail head, go south from Boulder Junction on Co Hwy M approximately 7 miles to Nebish Lake Road, then
east on Nebish Lake Road and continue about 3 1/2 miles to the parking area on the north side of the road. Fallison Lake Trail. The hills and scenery on this trail make it a favorite with birdwatchers and nature lovers. Booklets on wildlife, flora and trail history are available from the DNR Trout Lake Office & at the trail head
from mid-May to mid-September. The trailhead is located across from Crystal Lake Campground on Hwy N west of Sayner.The trail also features interpretive signage along the trail No bicycles or pets are allowed on trail.
Noon – Lunch. Stop for a picnic lunch before heading back out on the trail.
1pm – Back to the trails.
5pm – Dinner in Boulder Junction.
6pm – Sunset drive or walk. Ask the Chamber office for the places in and around
town that offer you the best chance at catching a glimpse of the area’s albino
deer. Forest animals are most active in the hours before and after sunset.
Day 5: Paddling and Putting
8am – Breakfast.
9am – Rent canoes. Several local businesses rent canoes and kayaks.
10am – We’ll begin our day of canoeing or kayaking one of Boulder Junction’s many beautiful lakes and rivers. Many Boulder Junction area lakes are designated as no-motor lakes, making them ideal for paddling. Here are just a few of the area’s excellent paddling options:
Allequash Lake. This 426-acres lake is completely surrounded by undisturbed forest. No-motor restrictions on the lower basin of the lake make it one of the most peaceful paddling destinations in the area.
Frank Lake. This remote lake offers 141 acres of quiet paddling.
Mann Creek. Wetlands, abundant wildlife and great paddling await you on this one-mile stretch of river. Camp Lake. Set in the heart of the forest, this 59-acre lake is a true gem.
Noon – Take out the canoes and have lunch
Afternoon – Golfing. In Boulder Junction, you’re just a short drive away from several excellent golf courses with reasonable greens fees. For our afternoon of golf, we’ll play Trout Lake Golf & Country Club, a classic course established in 1924. You’ll enjoy beautiful pines, abundant wildlife and numerous lake views.
7pm – Late dinner.
9pm – Night Out! Enjoy live music at one of Boulder Junction’s restaurants,
taverns or cafes. Live music schedules vary – call the Chamber for more information.
Day 6: Shopping and geocaching
9am – Sleep in late. Enjoy a late breakfast.
10am – Shopping. Downtown Boulder Junction offers one of the most charming Main
Streets in Wisconsin. Stroll the shops and galleries and see work by local artists, from
hand-blown glass to pottery.
Noon – Lunch.
Afternoon – Geocaching in and around Boulder Junction. Geocaching is a fun way to spend time in the outdoors. For those unfamiliar with geocaching, it’s an outdoor
treasure hunting game played with a handheld GPS unit. Hundreds of geocaches are hidden in the forests of Boulder Junction.
5pm – Dinner in Boulder Junction.
7pm – One last campfire. Enjoy stories around the fire for your last night in Boulder Junction.
