Vilas County, Wisconsin

If you’re looking for the great Wisconsin Northwoods experience you’ve only heard about by drinking at Will’s Northwoods Inn, it’s time to point your GPS towards under-the-radar Vilas County. With one of the world’s largest collections of freshwater lakes, this outdoor purist’s paradise boasts more than 1,300 lakes and 73 rivers and streams. The charming tourist communities of Eagle River and Minocqua are essential area attractions, but for a better and more off-the-beaten-path experience, check out the unrelentingly awesome Coadys’ Point of View Resort in the town of Phelps near Wisconsin’s border with Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Tucked away on the peaceful shores of North Twin Lake within the massive 661,000-acre Nicolet National Forest, the resort offers everything from cabins and luxury glampsites to boat rentals on one of the finest musky fishing lakes in North America. The resort is even offering contactless carry-out and delivery from its on-site general store. The Minocqua area is Nature's Original Water Park, offering the very best scenery, outdoor recreation, and fun attractions in northern Wisconsin. A favorite among vacationers young and old, generation after generation, the area has activities and events for every season in Vilas County. Make summer vacation memories that last a lifetime this summer in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Vilas County is home to thousands of acres of public land and nearly 90 recreational trails open to hikers, bikers, ATVers, UTVers, and outdoor explorers of all kinds. With more than 1,300 glacial lakes and countless rivers and streams, Vilas County is the perfect place for swimming, boating, fishing, and paddling. Make unforgettable memories today—plan your trip to Vilas County.

Miles from Chicago: 311 miles northwest
Suggested round-trip time: 5.5-hour drive
Location: Wisconsin, United States

Tripadvisor Rating: 5/5