Discover Langlade County's Beauty by Bike

Along with the snowmobile, ATV, hiking, snowshoe and ski trails are a Mecca of biking opportunities in the County of Trails.   Whatever your skill level or mood level, there is a bike trail for you.  Recreationalists have a choice from a leisurely paved road ride on some of the most beautiful scenic country roads in the northwoods  to rolling off-road logging grades throughout the 127,000 acre County Forested lands to some of the most technical single track that Wisconsin has to offer (yes, the State).  Within the past few years, the County is being recognized as a mountain biking destination within the State.  The Wisconsin Off-Road (mountain bike) Race Series (WORS) and Wisconsin Endurance Mountain Bike Series (WEMS) has held races in the County as well as the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) and DNR holding sustainable trail building workshops in the County.

For the road-rider, there are various self-guided tours throughout the County.  Throughout these tours bikers will find fragrant evergreen forests, sparkling blue jewels of lakes, meandering brooks, and rushing rivers.  The sweeping vista of verdant farmland framed by distant wooded hills will make hearts sing.    These tours are mostly in the form of loops:  The Red River bike route is broken down into two sections, the Phlox Pond route and the Moose Lake route. Both of these routes are 21 miles in length. The Pearson scenic bike route consists of four routes, the Jack Lake route, Post Lake route, South Loop, and North Loop. To the north is the Summit Lake scenic bike route that consists of the Black Oak Lake route and the Town Line Lake route. Finally, there is the 32 mile Eau Claire Dells bike route which is mostly flat terrain with a few rolling hills.   An event that has become a favorite of many is the Annual Lakes to Leaves bike tour.   This ride, sponsored by the Antigo/Langlade Chamber of Commerce is held in the autumn, showcasing some of the most beautiful fall foliage in the State.  All skill levels are welcome and encouraged as there are various distanced-rides to choose from.

If you prefer fatter tires, then there is a treasure of single-track hidden away in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest just south of Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  It is currently 14 miles long with excellent flow. It has drops, boulders, and challenging climbs built from the incredible natural features found in Northern Wisconsin. The trail's surroundings include lakes, springs, creeks, giant boulders, and dramatic tornado affected areas.

Nicolet Roche is unique in several respects. It was purpose-built from scratch without the use of any existing trail or double track.  Along the way, expect to encounter incredibly sized boulders in a half-dozen trail sections.  One section is even named MOAB – “Mother of All Boulders”.  These huge landscape features dot the forest floor and offer high skill challenges.  However if your riding is not up to tackling these stone monsters there always alternate routes available.  Beyond the boulder fields, you will find more fun riding with short steep sections traversing 20 to 50 feet in elevation.  The riding here is a bit easier.  For beginners, many forest service roads offer slightly milder riding options as well as trails up in the Jack Lake/Veterans’ Memorial Park area.  Also, mountain biking is allowed on the Boulder Lake Campground Trail, a 1-1/2 mile ride around a bog on the forest floor or boardwalks.

Another great riding destination in the Summer/Fall season is out in the Polar area at Gartzke Flowage Cross Country/Snowshoe area.  There enthusiasts will find beautiful terrain that follows the ski trail system and is considered beginner through intermediate.  One of the beautiful features of the Flowage is the cabin that sits in the mid-section of the system.  This is a perfect spot for a picnic lunch as it overlooks the Flowage and its entire splendor.

Being surrounded by Menomonie County to the South and State and County Lands to the West adds to the feeling of isolation on the trail. Also using the additional forest roads and two National Forest campgrounds (Boulder Lake and Boot Lake Campground), the trails can be ridden point-to-point for an epic daylong ride. 

For maps or any information on biking or all other recreation including events in the County of Trails contact langladecounty.org or download the FREE Langlade County App for your Android or iPhone.

Always Something to do in Langlade County!

Fall in love with what Wisconsin has to offer at the first annual ATV Free Wheel’n Weekend.  Whether you are an avid ATV rider from out of state or you are local but have not used the local trail system, discover the thrill of a trail ride during the registration free weekend.  For the weekend of June 1-2, 2013, Wisconsin’s public ATV/UTV trails are open free of charge to riders from out of state as well as Wisconsinites whose machines are registered for private or agricultural use.  Take opportunity to get out on the trails free of charge and experience Wisconsin’s expansive trail system offering fun for the whole family in the great outdoors.

This is why the Parrish Highlanders, the White Lake ATVers and the Wolf River Riders, three ATV clubs in Langlade County, are offering up guided trail rides to explore some of the greatest ATVing that the state has to offer.  Meeting at Lil’ Hummers Hideway at the Corner of Highway A and TT on Saturday, June 1 from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.  At 11:00 a.m. the clubs will have guided trail rides in the Augustine Springs section of the trail system.  After the ride, enjoy a burger or brat back at Hummers.  Festivities to wrap up around 3pm.

The registration free weekend for ATV/UTV trails also coincides with other free events happening around Wisconsin.  The weekend of June 1-2 is also Free Fishing Weekend, which allows fishing anywhere in Wisconsin, including inland waters as well as Wisconsin’s side of the Mississippi River and Great Lakes, without a trout stamp or license.  Sunday, June 2 is State Park Open House Day with free entrance to any state park without the need of a vehicle admission sticker.  A number of free events are also planned as a part of National Trails Day on Saturday, June 1, 2013.

And, don't forget to download the Langlade County Tourism app for up to date trail conditions for all your favorite trails including: ATV, Bike, hiking, and boating to name a few.  Also for fishing reports including water levels for the Wolf River for whitewater rafting and kayaking.  The app is also useful to find great places to eat and stay overnight, whether you enjoy roughing it under the stars or enjoy more modern accomodations of a hotel, cabin or bed and breakfast; the Langlade County Tourism App will help with all that.  Just go to Langladecounty.org and download it FREE today!!

Don't put the Sleds, Skis, and Snowshoes away just yet!!

Old man Winter may have shown up a little later than usual, but with longer days, warmer temps and great snow conditions it is a perfect combination for a late winter getaway in the County of Trails...

Off the beaten path, and roughly 5 hours from the Chicagoland area and 3 hours from Milwaukee and Madison, you can find great conditions for ALL Winter activities.  Whether you hit the over 530 miles of expertly groomed snowmobile trails or one of our six groomed cross-country ski trails (most groomed for classic and skating-check the link for more info).  Click Here for all the latest reports on all our trails.  If you would rather get off the beaten path, then there's over 126,000 of playground for you to snowshoe or backcountry ski on.  And, if you want it all including some downhill skiing, then a stop up at Kettle Bowl ski area is a must. 

Also located on the snowmobile trail system, Kettle Bowl is one of Langlade County's phenomenons.  Carved out from the ice age, this tow rope down hill ski area is a winter playground.  Open only on the weekends from 12pm-4pm, it is the perfect place to base your winter fun from.   While hanging in the chalet, you can also enjoy one of the best hotdogs in the area.

Looking for something to do after hitting the trails?  then check out our Calendar of Events.

While planning your trip, be sure to check out our website for great lodging and dining options within the Antigo and the Langlade County area as well.  Already on the road heading our way?  Then be sure to download the Langlade County Tourism App.  You'll have access to all the great information that is found on the Langlade County website.

The Snow has finally arrived in Langlade County

We've had an interesting week of weather here in the County of Trails....We got 5" of snow on Sunday only to have seasonalbly warm temps on Monday and freezing rain on Tuesday; followed by another beautiful 5" of white stuff on Wednesday.  Today, Thursday, the temps have plummeted a bit,  but not to fear or fret as this whole week of weird weather is setting the trails up beautifully!!!

Please check http://www.langladecounty.org/tourism/trail_reports/ for the most current information on all the great winter recreation that Langlade has to offer along with great places to stay, dine and shop.  The County has over 500 miles of snowmobile trails and 5 great x/c ski trail systems-maps can also be accessed through the link above.  If you like to snowshoe, there are plenty of opportunities for that as well.   And, if you are a snowbike enthusiast, we've got some some terrain for you as well.  Visit http://langladecounty.org with questions.

Langlade County WI is nicely nestled in North Central Wisconsin and is accessible via Hwys 45, 47, 55, or Hwy 64.  We are located about 1-1/2 hours from Green Bay, 3 hours from Madison and Milwaukee and about 5 hour from the Chicagoland area.  Our over 500 miles of snowmobile trails are also accessible to Forest, Lincoln, Oneida, Oconto and Shawano Counties.  Come on up and see how great Wisconsin's County of Trails are to play on.

Winter Fun in the Northwoods of Langlade County

Ever wonder what to do on a beautiful winter day?  Come up to the "County of Trails" and you can experience some of the best winter recreation that Wisconsin has to offer.

Just a mere five hours from the Chicago area and only three hours from Milwaukee and Madison, Langlade County, nestled in the heart of the Northwoods, can be easily accessed via highway 45, highway 55 or highway 64.

Langlade County Wisconsin's snowfall beckons cross country ski's enthusiasts to hit the 6 groomed Cross-Country Ski Trails and enjoy the beauty of the great Northwoods.  If downhill skiing or snow boarding is what your family is looking for, than you will be pleasantly surprised to find a little hidden secret known as Kettlebowl Ski Area.

Backcountry skiing or snowshoeing is more your sport?  Then enjoy the 127,000 acres of County forest lands, the Game Lake Nature Trail in Veterans Memorial Park, Gartzke Flowage, or the Moccaisn Lake Trail. 

Have you ever heard the word "snow bike"?  Then Langlade County is the place to come to try out this new adventure sport.

We can't forget about our motor sports, with over 530 miles of impeccably groomed snowmobile trails, it's a riders dream come true.

Come and enjoy ALL Langlade County has to offer and see why Langlade County is named the "County of Trails".  If you would like to find out more information on Langlade County, visit our website at www.langladecounty.org.