Boulder Junction is a top Northwoods snowmobile destination

Boulder Junction snowmobile trail adventures

December 1, 2020

Gas up your sled and get ready to explore more of northern Wisconsin! Boulder Junction is surrounded by some of the best snowmobile trails in the Northwoods. Trails will take you right from your lodging, so you can start your adventure as soon as your machine is warmed up. Once you get into the forest, you’ll have endless options for exploration. Here are three rides that won’t disappoint.

Option 1: Eagle River loop

Visit the Snowmobile Capital of the World with a ride to Eagle River, just southeast of Boulder Junction in Vilas County.  There are many trail options that will get you there, but here’s one: ride through Sayner and St. Germain and you’ll find stops along the way to fuel up or get inside to warm up. Once in Eagle River, you’ll find more amenities and you can pay homage to the sport via a visit to the museum at the World Snowmobile Headquarters or the nearby World Championship Derby Complex, which hosts two world championship snowmobile races in January. On the return ride home, you can find some nice forest riding by heading north toward Conover and west through Star Lake. Make sure you have a full tank, as you’ll pass fewer fueling spots.

Option 2: An Iron County ride

There is some nice riding to the west of Boulder Junction that will take you into Iron County. Head west through Manitowish Waters and continue west across the county line to Mercer. The Mercer area has 250 miles of well-groomed trails to ride, offering a variety of routes to explore. You can head north toward Hurley, which is on the border of the U.P. or head or south toward the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage. Some loops around and across the flowage are possible but use caution on and around the ice and make sure the trail you are riding is open.

Option 3: Adventures north

The options north of Boulder Junction into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are nearly limitless. Start early: there are places you may want to visit that take a little more time on the trail. Popular destinations include Lake Gogebic, Bond Falls and the Porcupine Mountains/Lake of the Clouds. Copper Harbor is a popular long-haul destination and you may choose to overnight in Houghton. After exploring the wilds of the U.P., return to Boulder Junction and relax in the comfort of our lodging properties and trade a few trail stories at one of our friendly restaurants.

Ride on

These are just a few of the possibilities—some of the best rides are ones you discover yourself. Have fun exploring! Want to learn more about snowmobiling in Boulder Junction? Check out this Boulder Junction snowmobile guide and see our snowmobile trail reports page here. For a map of the trails around Boulder Junction, you can request one by emailing us at [email protected] or stop by our visitor center when you are in town. The trails will take you right to our office!