Attractions, Recreation & Cranberry Marshes in Manitowish Waters Wisconsin

GOLF COURSES

Trout Lake Golf Club

(715) 385-2189

Trout Lake Golf Club was established in 1924, making us the oldest 18-hole golf course in the Northwoods. We provide the complete golf package including a practice facility, 18 holes of challenging golf and a full line of golf equipment stored in our historic 1800s logging home. Email: info@troutlakegolf.com

OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Camp Jorn YMCA

(715) 543-8808

Dennis Lipp, Director
Originally developed as a summer estate by automobile manufacturer Charles Nash, the property became a private boy's camp named Camp Thunderbolt in the 1940s. In 1952, it was purchased by the YMCA in Waukegan, IL, and became Camp Jorn. During the last 10 years, new facilities & programs were added including a year 'round child care center. In 2007, the camp was purchased from the Lake County Family YMCA in Illinois and is now an independent YMCA. Currently, the camp is campaigning for funds which will create a foundation of future community service in the Northwoods as well as resident camp programs for kids near & far.

Nicolet Area Technical College

(715) 365-4410

Nicolet Area Technical College offers a variety of Continuing Education programs, workshops & trainings, and performing arts series. Nicolet College has facilities in Rhinelander and Minocqua (Lakeland Campus). For current listings, call 715-365-4410 or visit www.nicoletcollege.edu

Northwoods Wildlife Center

(715) 356-7400

8683 Blumenstein Rd., Minocqua, WI 54548
Care of injured and orphaned wildlife and wildlife education for general public. Open year round, 10am-2pm (winter, spring, fall) & 10am-4pm (summer). West on Hwy. 70 one mile, across from 70 West Center. Contact person - Beth Burns.

North Lakeland Discovery Center

(715) 543-2085

A non-profit educational center dedicated to exploring. preserving and enhancing the region's natural. cultural and historic resources. We provide authentic programs that are relevant to the area. Our peaceful 66-acre property lies on the pristine shores of Statehouse Lake in the heart of the Northern Highland State Forest. Enjoy hiking, biking; skiing, canoeing, fishing, sailing, birding, canoeing and more! "Hide-away" cabin snuggled amongst the pines ... Ideal for the silent sport enthusiasts or for those simply in need of a peaceful, quiet vacation. Wood-burning stove, vaulted ceilings and wood interior, big picture windows overlooking Statehouse Lake, front-door access to groomed ski and snowshoe trails, and access to a newly restored cedar sauna. 2 bedroom cabin (the only dwelling on Statehouse Lake) sleeps 5 comfortably. welcome@discoverycenter.net

The Discovery Center features:

Annual 4th of July Triathlon
Special Events Children's' Activities
Interpretive Hikes
Summer Evening Program Series
Canoe, Kayak & Sailing Instruction
Birch Bark Canoe Trips
Spring Birding Hikes
Workshops, Classes & Interpretive Trail
Plus... 20 km of hiking, biking and groomed classic x-c skiing trails.
Our facilities are also available for rent to organized groups and schools.

RECREATION MERCHANTS

Dietz Phillips 66

(715) 543-2144

24-hr. pay at the pump gasoline & diesel. #1 and #2 road fuel, K-1 kerosene, LP refueling station. 24-hr. towing and recovery, auto-marine storage, repair facility. Live bait & tackle, hunting supplies, WI licenses, MI trail passes. Fresh bakery & subs daily. Full convenience store. Business For Sale.

Greer's Pier Marina

(715) 543-8456

"Your complete marine headquarters." Let our knowledgeable & professional staff help you to purchase or rent the perfect boat for your needs! We offer bait, tackle, marine supplies, fuel, storage, snowmobile rentals, great food, clothing & gifts, and the finest service department around. Visit us at the Spider Lake bridge in Manitowish Waters. New Lower Unit Tiki Bar, serving brats & burgers, blended drinks and ice cold beer.

Hawk's Nest Canoe Outfitters

1-800-668-7471

1-3 hour adventure trips w/ shuttle service; longer & overnight trips available. Canoeing, kayaking, tubing & rafting on the Manitowish, Bear, Turtle & Flambeau Rivers. Full & partial outfitting on the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage. Tents, food, cooking gear & more. Two great locations: 2.5 miles north of Hwy. W on Hwy. 51, Manitowish Waters – 715-543-8585; 5 miles west of Eagle River on Hwy. 70. Fishing Guide Service Available. 715-479-7944. May - Oct.

summer only:
(715) 543-8585

North Country Sport Marine

(715) 543-8899

A premier, award-winning Polaris, Mercury and marine dealership. We sell pontoon and fishing boats, snowmobiles, ATVs, docks, lifts and outboards. A large selection of snowmobile clothing, accessories and parts. Offering boat storage and snowmobile rentals. Recognized for their friendly, knowledgeable staff and outstanding service department. "Service is their specialty." info@northcountrysport.com

North Lakeland Discovery Center

(715) 543-2085

Canoe Trips, Nature Trips, Kayaking Trips, lead by area naturalist.

Townline Sports

(715) 543-2371

Located on Hwy. 51 in Manitowish Waters, we have the area’s largest selection of fishing & hunting supplies, sweatshirts & T-shirts, up-to-date fishing info, fireworks, ice fishing, reel repair, fish freezing on display. We also offer #1 guide service form a list of local guides, whatever your species. Open year-round.

RECREATIONAL TRAILS

Hike / Bike / Ski / Snowshoe ~

Within Manitowish Waters, you’ll find the wooded, scenic 20 km trail system at the North Lakeland Discovery Center. These recreational trails are groomed & tracked during the winter for classical cross country skiing and snowshoeing, and during the spring, summer and fall you can enjoy hiking and mountain biking. Various trail routes are marked on this system and intertwine among towering trees and lush forest greens. Private Statehouse Lake and the Manitowish River are situated along the trail as well. Donations are accepted.
Manitowish Waters also has a short but delightful 2.5 mile paved path that traverses from the Discovery Center through downtown on CTH W and south along Hwy. 51 to Powell Road. There is no fee to use this trail. Parking is available at the Discovery Center, Rest Lake Park, Koller Park, downtown M.W. or at the Community Center.
Powell trails within the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest are located 6.5 miles west of Hwy. 51 on Powell Road. These trails are designated for hiking and skiing. In 2006, the Discovery Center entered a one-year volunteer agreement to groom & track the trail system for classical cross country skiing.
The Northwoods Ski Touring Foundation maintains a classical ski trail system behind North Lakeland Elementary School, located at CTHs K & P in Manitowish Waters.
Numerous other trails with varied degrees of difficulty exist throughout Vilas County (put a link to www.vilas.org over the words Vilas County).

Bill Lambrecht Interpretive Trail ~

A one mile self-guided interpretive trail exists at the Discovery Center, featuring 16 educational stations and the aroma of the beautiful forest and wetlands. Inquire at the Center’s main office, or simply head out and follow the well-marked trail!

Birding / Wildlife Watching ~

Two sites in Manitowish Waters – North Lakeland Discovery Center and Powell Marsh Wildlife Area – are part of the Great Wisconsin Birding & Nature Trail (Lake Superior / Northwoods Region). Powell Marsh wildlife area contains 4,300 acres of marshland with an 1,800 acre no-entry wildlife refuge in the middle of the

property in effect from Sept. 1 – Dec. 31. View birds, waterfowl & other wildlife from the marsh dikes or at the vista lookout on Powell Road. The marsh is popular for hunters, birders, trappers and hikers.

The GWBNT Lake Superior/Northwoods region features 18 northern Wisconsin counties and 88 waypoints for birding & wildlife watching. The trail officially kicked off its opening in January 2004. Most recently, the Mississippi/Chippewa Rivers region made its debut featuring 13 Wisconsin counties in the Mississippi and Chippewa River watershed and 67 waypoints. By 2008, the WI DNR Endangered Resource Program will have developed a series of five highway-based viewing guides featuring these exceptional birding & wildlife watching sites. For more information, or to order a GWBNT guide, visit www.travelwisconsin.com.

Snowmobiling ~

Manitowish Waters is home to one of the oldest snowmobile clubs in the state. Founded in 1968, the Sno-Skeeters professionally groom over 25 miles of snowmobile trails and the area is, no doubt, one of the most popular snowmobile destinations in the Vilas County’s Northwoods. Manitowish Waters is a unique hub linking into five other trail systems – north, south, east and west. Updated trail reports are posted on the club website at www.mw-snoskeeters.com. The club also coordinates a variety of fund raisers throughout the season and year. Snowmobile trail map requests are fulfilled by the Chamber of Commerce.

ATVing ~

Currently there are no ATV trails in Vilas County. Nearest would be our neighbors to the north in Iron County.

Downhill Skiing ~

The Manitowish Waters area is just minutes south of some of the finest downhill ski facilities in the Upper Midwest. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula boasts downhill ski slopes such as Indianhead, Blackjack, and Powderhorn. Nearby Whitecap Mountain west of Hurley, WI, and Ski Brule in Iron Mountain, MI, are easy day trips from our area.

TRAIL RIDES

Horseback Trail Rides offered at Camp Jorn YMCA, 28 Red Feather Road, Manitowish Waters. June - August. 715-543-8808 Click here

THE CRANBERRY MARSHES OF MANITOWISH WATERS

There are currently five cranberry marshes in Manitowish Waters ranging in size from 63 to 185 acres, totaling about 600 acres. These marshes were started soon after World War II by six families at considerable risk in an area of Wisconsin not yet known for cranberry production; some of these families are currently in their third generation of cranberry growing. These pioneers undertook building what is today a major scenic & economic contributor to Wisconsin's Northwoods. The Manitowish Waters area was fairly uninhabited at that time, so the cranberry growers banded together to build roads and bridges and to bring the power and telephone line access which everyone uses today to the south end of town. The cranberry marshes today surround the northeast one-third of Little Trout Lake, which is located along the southern edge of the town line. Powell Marsh Wildlife Area and the Lac du Flambeau Indian Reservation surround the other two-third s of this nearly- uninhabited pristine lake. The cranberry marshes benefit from the availability of a water source and the native wetlands and wildlife benefit from a stable wetland environment; thus a huge wetland preserve is maintained and thrives at no additional cost to the tax payer.

*Manitowish Waters Cranberry Growers*
Alder Lake Cranberry Company Bartling's Manitowish Cranberry Co. Folsom Farms, Inc.	Vilas Cranberry Company Rayala Cranberry Company

The cranberry growers of Manitowish Waters are continually looking for ways to improve their growing techniques and cultural practices to insure that future generations can continue to prosper as cranberry growers.

FREE CRANBERRY MARSH TOURS
One tour is offered each Friday morning at 10 a.m.
July 11 - October 10, 2008 ~ Meet at the MW Community Center for a video, juice & sweetened dried cranberry samples, prize drawings & pictorial display (approximately 1/2 hour); then follow a guide in your vehicle to a marsh for an up-close look at the bogs -- blooming, growing or being harvested depending on the time you visit.

*Maps available at MW Chamber ~ 715-543-8488
**Tour length: Approximately one hour ~ Reservations NOT required ~ All ages and abilities welcome ~ Tour is held rain or shine ~ Minimal walking

WATER SKI SHOWS

The Manitowish Waters Skiing Skeeters are one of the oldest amateur water ski clubs in the U.S. Established in the late 1950s, the Manitowish Water Boat Club formally took the name Skiing Skeeters in 1961 and created a show site on Rest Lake. The first statewide barefoot tournament held in the U.S. was sponsored by the Skeeters in 1964. The Skeeters won the team event and kept that title for the next five years. National publicity of the event established Manitowish Waters as the ‘Barefoot Capitol of the Midwest.’ In 1967, the Skeeters emerged as State Champs in the first ever state water ski show tournament. The Skeeters produced a National Barefoot Champion, Caleb Feiereisen, who was later inducted into the Wisconsin Water Ski Hall of Fame in the late 1990s. The show relocated to a new site on Rest Lake in 1987, and continues to provide fun, family entertainment from Mid-June through mid-August each summer.

Donations collected from the shows help with the club’s operating costs, new & replaced equipment, gas, boat maintenance, etc.

Show times are Wednesdays & Saturday @ 7 p.m. – Special July 4th show, 7:30 p.m.
Mid-June through mid-August at Rest Park (on CTH W, 1.2 miles from Hwy. 51)
Bring a blanket or lawn chair for your comfort.

Monday night try-outs during the show season.