Things To Do on an eBike in Vilas County, WI
Vilas County riding centers on the Heart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail System. It runs over 52 paved miles and links St. Germain, Sayner-Star Lake, Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters and Mercer. The trail page allows electric assist bicycles and bars any eBike capable of more than 30 miles per hour. Stock Class 1, 2 and 3 cutoffs of 20, 20 and 28 mph sit under that line.
The Conover-Phelps Trail is a separate 11-mile route managed through the Great Headwaters Trails Foundation system. It runs between Conover Town Park and Phelps Lakefront Pines Park, mostly on granite aggregate. No eBike rule is published for it, so Wisconsin's default applies and posted signs decide the rest. The six routes below list lengths, trailheads and rules.
Where to ride in Vilas County
A good place to start is Boulder Junction, where Crystal Lake Trail begins at 5453 Park St and Coontail Adventures sits at 5446 Park St on Hwy M. Sayner is the other end of that route, with The Corner Store at 3109 Razorback Road. Manitowish Waters Bike Trail trailheads include Koller Park and Rest Lake Park. St. Germain's main trailhead is behind the Chamber of Commerce at Hwy 70 and Hwy 155.
Manitowish Waters Bike Trail is the longest named route at 18.6 paved miles. St. Germain runs 12 paved miles, Crystal Lake Trail 11 asphalt miles and Plum Lake Trail 5 paved miles. Conover-Phelps matches Crystal Lake at 11 miles but is mostly granite aggregate. TrailLink lists Mercer at 9 miles and biketheheart.org at 7. Every Heart of Vilas route bars eBikes capable of more than 30 mph. Conover-Phelps has no published eBike rule.
eBike shop hubs
Shops sit in six Vilas County cities. Boulder Junction has three listings, Sayner and Eagle River two each, and Arbor Vitae, Woodruff and Manitowish Waters one each. Pick a town below to see its shops.
- eBike shops in Arbor Vitae
- eBike shops in Sayner
- eBike shops in Boulder Junction
- eBike shops in Eagle River
- eBike shops in Woodruff
- eBike shops in Manitowish Waters
Rental and tour contacts
Coontail Adventures is at 5446 Park St in Boulder Junction, near the Crystal Lake Trail's Park St end at 5453. The Corner Store in Sayner sits just off Highway N on the Sayner Bike Trail. Call ahead about eBike models.
Coontail🚲 Rentals
The Corner Store🚲 Rentals
Coontail Adventures🚲 Rentals
Named eBike routes and access checks
1. Heart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail System: 52 miles across five towns
The Heart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail System is the county's main network. It runs over 52 miles of pavement and connects St. Germain, Sayner-Star Lake, Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters and Mercer. The listed manager is the Heart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail System, contact Theresa Smith, PO Box 286, Boulder Junction, WI 54512, (715) 385-2400. The system earned National Recreation Trail status in 2022 and sees over 160,000 cyclists a year, according to outdoorrecreation.wi.gov. Named sections include Crystal Lake, Manitowish Waters, Plum Lake, St. Germain and Mercer. Each section is covered below with its own length and trailheads. All of them share one eBike rule, so read it once and it applies across the system.
Distance: Over 52 paved miles, per the Heart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail System; start: Several access points by town; see each section below or check the manager map; surface: Paved, per the Heart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail System.
eBike access: Electric assist bicycles are allowed. Any eBike capable of more than 30 mph is treated as a motorcycle under state law and may not be ridden on any part of the trail. Etiquette and planning: Share the path with walkers and slower riders, slow down at trailheads, and call (715) 385-2400 to ask about throttle-only eBikes or current conditions. Managing source: Heart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail System, Bike Trail Info.
2. Crystal Lake Trail: Boulder Junction to Sayner
Crystal Lake Trail is an 11-mile asphalt route inside the Heart of Vilas system. One end is at 5453 Park St in Boulder Junction. The other is at Old N. Road in Sayner. Parking is listed at 5352 Park St, the Trout Lake Boat Launch along Hwy M and the M&N Trailhead at 10643 County Rd N, so you can start mid-route and ride out and back. The two end towns hold five of the county's 10 shop listings, which puts rentals and repairs close at both ends. The Heart of Vilas eBike rule applies here. Electric assist is allowed and anything capable of more than 30 mph is not.
Distance: 11 miles, per TrailLink; start: 5453 Park St in Boulder Junction, or Old N. Road in Sayner; surface: Asphalt, per TrailLink.
eBike access: The Heart of Vilas rule applies. Electric assist is allowed, and any eBike capable of more than 30 mph is prohibited. A stock Class 3 stops assist at 28 mph. Etiquette and planning: Use the listed parking at Park St, the Trout Lake Boat Launch or the M&N Trailhead. Riders under 16 may not operate a Class 3 eBike in Wisconsin. Managing source: Heart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail System, Bike Trail Info.
3. Manitowish Waters Bike Trail: 18.6 paved miles
Manitowish Waters Bike Trail is the longest named route in the Heart of Vilas system at 18.6 paved miles, per TrailLink. Trailheads include the Manitowish Waters Community Center, Koller Park, Rest Lake Park and the North Lakeland Discovery Center. Four listed access points let you ride a short leg or the full length. The Mercer Hike and Bike Trail meets it from the north. Manitowish Waters has one shop listing, while Boulder Junction has three, so bring a charged battery and a spare tube if you start here. The Heart of Vilas rule applies. Electric assist is allowed, and any eBike capable of more than 30 mph is barred.
Distance: 18.6 miles, per TrailLink; start: Manitowish Waters Community Center, Koller Park, Rest Lake Park or the North Lakeland Discovery Center; surface: Paved, per TrailLink.
eBike access: The Heart of Vilas rule applies. Electric assist bicycles are allowed, and any eBike capable of more than 30 mph is not. Ask the manager before relying on throttle alone. Etiquette and planning: Pick a trailhead that matches your battery range, since 18.6 miles one way is about 37 miles out and back. Check posted signs at each park. Managing source: Heart of Vilas, Communities.
4. Conover-Phelps Trail: 11 miles between two towns
Conover-Phelps Trail links the commercial centers of Conover and Phelps over 11 miles. The western trailhead is Conover Town Park on Hwy K just east of Hwy 45. The eastern trailhead is Phelps Lakefront Pines Park. The surface changes along the way, with 8.7 miles of granite aggregate Trail Bond and a final 1.9 miles that are mostly paved. The Great Headwaters Trails Foundation system manages it. No eBike rule is published on its trail page, so Wisconsin's default rules apply and posted signs decide anything else. The Heart of Vilas 30 mph rule is not published for this trail, so ask the manager before you ride a modified bike. Riders under 16 still may not operate a Class 3.
Distance: 11 miles, per the Great Headwaters Trails Foundation; start: Conover Town Park on Hwy K just east of Hwy 45, or Phelps Lakefront Pines Park; surface: 8.7 miles of granite aggregate Trail Bond and a final 1.9 miles mostly paved, per the Great Headwaters Trails Foundation.
eBike access: No eBike rule is published for this trail. Wisconsin's default rules apply, so an eBike has the rights of a bicycle unless signs say otherwise. Check with the manager first. Etiquette and planning: Check posted signs at both trailheads and ask the Great Headwaters Trails Foundation about closures or surface conditions before a long ride. Managing source: Great Headwaters Trails Foundation, Conover-Phelps Trail.
5. Plum Lake Trail: 5 paved miles
Plum Lake Trail is the shortest named section of the Heart of Vilas system at 5 paved miles, per TrailLink. No trailhead is published for it, so check the manager map or posted signs for parking and access. At 5 miles it makes a short out-and-back ride, about a quarter of the length of the 18.6-mile Manitowish Waters Bike Trail. It carries the same eBike rule as the rest of the system. Electric assist bikes are allowed, and any eBike capable of more than 30 mph is not. Call the Heart of Vilas contact at (715) 385-2400 to ask how it links to Crystal Lake Trail and the other sections before you plan a longer day.
Distance: 5 miles, per TrailLink; start: Trailhead not published; check the manager map; surface: Paved, per TrailLink.
eBike access: The Heart of Vilas rule applies. Electric assist bicycles are allowed, and any eBike capable of more than 30 mph is prohibited on every part of the trail. Etiquette and planning: Confirm parking and access with the Heart of Vilas contact before you drive out, and keep to the right so faster riders can pass. Managing source: Heart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail System, Bike Trail Info.
6. Mercer Hike and Bike Trail: 7 or 9 miles, depending on who you ask
Mercer Hike and Bike Trail runs between Mercer and Manitowish Waters, and its length is in conflict because TrailLink lists 9 miles. biketheheart.org describes a 7-mile paved hike and bike trail from Mercer south to Manitowish Waters. Use 7 to 9 miles as a planning range and confirm with the manager. The surface also varies, and three stretches are paved asphalt, and the other sections follow lightly used Plunkett Road, Manitowish River Access Road and Old Hwy 51. The northern trailhead is at Snow's Family Market on Mercer's south side. The Heart of Vilas eBike rule applies. Electric assist is allowed and anything capable of more than 30 mph is not.
Distance: 9 miles per TrailLink and 7 miles per biketheheart.org; the two figures conflict; start: Snow's Family Market on the south side of Mercer; surface: Three stretches of paved asphalt; other sections follow Plunkett Road, Manitowish River Access Road and Old Hwy 51, per biketheheart.org.
eBike access: The Heart of Vilas rule applies. Electric assist bicycles are allowed, and any eBike capable of more than 30 mph is not. State law also applies on the road sections. Etiquette and planning: On the road sections, ride single file and watch for vehicles even though the roads are described as lightly used. Check the manager page for current conditions. Managing source: Heart of Vilas, Communities.
Planning a Vilas County ride
No public charging points are published for the Vilas County routes, so charge your battery before you leave. Manitowish Waters Bike Trail is 18.6 miles one way, which is 37.2 miles out and back. Ask a shop whether it will charge a battery during a stop, since that policy is not published. Rental points include Coontail Adventures in Boulder Junction at 888-874-0885 and The Corner Store in Sayner at 715-542-4250.
The Heart of Vilas system draws over 160,000 cyclists a year, according to outdoorrecreation.wi.gov, so expect shared paths near trailheads. No closures or pending eBike rule changes with dates are published. Call the Heart of Vilas contact at (715) 385-2400 or read posted signs before a long ride. For Conover-Phelps, contact the Great Headwaters Trails Foundation about surface conditions.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day: Ride Crystal Lake Trail out and back from Boulder Junction. Start at 5453 Park St, near Coontail Adventures at 5446 Park St, and head toward Sayner on 11 asphalt miles. Turn around anywhere, or finish at Old N. Road and look for The Corner Store, just off Highway N on the Sayner Bike Trail. A full round trip is up to 22 miles. Check your bike's cutoff speed first, since the Heart of Vilas rule bars anything capable of more than 30 mph.
Full day: Ride Manitowish Waters Bike Trail, 18.6 paved miles, starting at the Manitowish Waters Community Center. Stop at Koller Park, Rest Lake Park or the North Lakeland Discovery Center, all listed trailheads. Add the Mercer Hike and Bike Trail to the north if your battery allows. Mercer is listed at 7 or 9 miles, so plan for the longer figure. Charge fully first, because no charging points are published.
Gravel option: Ride the Conover-Phelps Trail for 11 miles between Conover Town Park on Hwy K and Phelps Lakefront Pines Park. Expect 8.7 miles of granite aggregate Trail Bond and a mostly paved final 1.9 miles. Arrange a pickup at the far end, or ride out and back for about 22 miles. No eBike rule is published for this trail, so check signs at the trailhead.
What not to ride in Vilas County
Any eBike capable of more than 30 mph: The Heart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail System bars any eBike capable of more than 30 miles per hour, which state law treats as a motorcycle. That applies to every section, including Crystal Lake, Manitowish Waters, Plum Lake, St. Germain and Mercer. Modified bikes with removed speed limits are the main risk.
Class 2 throttle on DNR state trails: If you add a Wisconsin DNR state trail to a Vilas trip, only Class 1 and Class 3 eBikes may run the motor, at less than 15 mph, under NR 45.05(3)(em). Class 2 with the motor engaged is not listed as allowed. The DNR can also post a trail closed to eBikes. Check the DNR biking page first.
Throttle-only riding on Heart of Vilas routes: The Heart of Vilas trail page says electric assist bicycles are allowed and says nothing about throttle-only use. Until the manager confirms, a Class 2 rider should call (715) 385-2400 before relying on the throttle alone, especially on Crystal Lake, Manitowish Waters and Plum Lake.
Class 3 eBikes for riders under 16: Wisconsin bars anyone under 16 from operating a Class 3 eBike, on every route in Vilas County. A passenger is allowed on a Class 3 designed for passengers. Younger riders should use a lower class, and parents should read the label on the bike for its class and cutoff speed.
When to ride Vilas County
Plan Vilas County rides for daylight and mild weather. This is northern Wisconsin, so cold mornings and early darkness in fall can shorten a day, and winter snow can limit paved trail riding. Cold also cuts battery range, so charge fully and carry a spare plan. The Heart of Vilas system draws over 160,000 cyclists a year, according to outdoorrecreation.wi.gov, so summer weekends near Boulder Junction and Sayner trailheads are likely busier. Shop hours are not published here, so call ahead.
Wisconsin eBike laws and route permission
Wisconsin defines an electric bicycle in Wisconsin Statute 340.01(15ph) as a bicycle with fully operative pedals and a motor of 750 watts or less. The law sets three classes. A Class 1 eBike gives pedal assist only, and the assist stops at 20 mph. A Class 2 eBike may be powered by the motor alone, and the motor gives no assist at 20 mph. A Class 3 eBike gives pedal assist that stops at 28 mph. The same statute excludes electric bicycles from the definition of a motor vehicle.
Under Wisconsin Statute 346.806, an eBike has the same rights and duties as a bicycle. That covers roads and bike lanes. The statute also lets you ride with the motor on bikeways run by the DNR, a municipality, a county, or the DOT, subject to 349.18(4). That section lets a municipality or county ban motor use on bikeways it controls by ordinance. The DNR can do the same by rule. No one under 16 may operate a Class 3 eBike. A passenger is allowed on a Class 3 built for passengers. The sources we cite do not address sidewalks, so check local ordinances. The statute's history shows 2019 Wisconsin Act 34, and no pending change was published as of October 9, 2026.
Under 346.806, eBikes are not subject to the license, registration, title, or financial responsibility rules in chapters 341 to 344. You do not need a driver's license or plate to ride one. The sources we cite set no statewide helmet rule for eBikes. Our Wisconsin guide says there is no blanket helmet requirement for riders under 18. Wearing a helmet is still a smart habit on any eBike. For a plain-language summary, read our Wisconsin eBike laws guide.
State trails have their own rule. Under NR 45.05(3)(em), only Class 1 and Class 3 eBikes may be operated with the motor engaged on listed state trails and posted master-plan trails. Speed is limited to under 15 mph with the motor engaged. A Class 2 eBike with the motor engaged is not listed as allowed on DNR lands. The DNR may also post a trail as closed to eBikes. Per the DNR biking page, eBikes used without the motor engaged are allowed on all bicycle trails.
The DNR page lists e-bikes as allowed on Badger State Trail (40 miles, fee trail) and Capital City State Trail (17 miles of asphalt, fee trail). It also lists Hank Aaron State Trail, which needs no state trail pass. Riders 16 and older need a state trail pass on fee trails. Counties and municipalities can ban motor use on bikeways they control, so read the signs at each trailhead. Keep your eBike's label intact. Under 347.489(3m), the label shows class, cut-off speed, and wattage. If you modify the bike, it must be relabeled.
No Vilas County or city eBike ordinance is published for the routes in this guide, and no sidewalk eBike rules are published either. Under Wisconsin statute 349.18(4), a county or municipality may prohibit eBikes with the power unit on bikeways it controls. Posted signs and the manager map are the final word on any given path.
Two source conflicts matter for planning. The Mercer Hike and Bike Trail is 9 miles according to TrailLink and 7 miles according to biketheheart.org. The Heart of Vilas page allows electric assist bicycles but does not address throttle-only use. For Conover-Phelps, no eBike rule is published, so the Great Headwaters Trails Foundation is the place to ask.
No pending eBike changes with dates are published for Vilas County. The standing Wisconsin rules are in statute 346.806 and statute 340.01(15ph). A Class 3 must have a speedometer and a label showing class, cutoff speed and wattage.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Manitowish Waters Bike Trail?
The Manitowish Waters Bike Trail is 18.6 paved miles, according to TrailLink. It is part of the Heart of Vilas system. Trailheads include the Manitowish Waters Community Center, Koller Park, Rest Lake Park and the North Lakeland Discovery Center. Electric assist bicycles are allowed, and any eBike capable of more than 30 mph is barred.
Where does the Crystal Lake Trail start?
Crystal Lake Trail has two ends. One is at 5453 Park St in Boulder Junction and the other is on Old N. Road in Sayner. Parking is listed at 5352 Park St, the Trout Lake Boat Launch along Hwy M and the M&N Trailhead at 10643 County Rd N. The asphalt route is 11 miles, per TrailLink.
How long is the Mercer Hike and Bike Trail?
TrailLink lists the Mercer Hike and Bike Trail at 9 miles, and biketheheart.org describes a 7-mile trail from Mercer south to Manitowish Waters, so the figures disagree, and plan for the longer figure. The northern trailhead is at Snow's Family Market on Mercer's south side, and the Heart of Vilas eBike rule applies.
Can I ride a Class 2 eBike on the Manitowish Waters Bike Trail?
The posted rule allows electric assist bicycles and bars anything capable of more than 30 mph. A stock Class 2 stops motor power at 20 mph, which is under that line. The page does not mention throttle-only use, so call the Heart of Vilas contact at (715) 385-2400 to confirm before you rely on the throttle.
Where do I park for the Conover-Phelps Trail?
Parking details are not published, but the trail has two named trailheads. The western one is Conover Town Park on Hwy K just east of Hwy 45. The eastern one is Phelps Lakefront Pines Park. Check posted signs at either park, or ask the Great Headwaters Trails Foundation, which manages the 11-mile route.
Is the Conover-Phelps Trail paved?
Mostly no: the Conover-Phelps Trail has 8.7 miles of granite aggregate Trail Bond, and the final 1.9 miles are mostly paved, according to the Great Headwaters Trails Foundation. The full route is 11 miles between Conover Town Park and Phelps Lakefront Pines Park. Check the manager page for current surface conditions.
How many people ride the Heart of Vilas trail system?
The Heart of Vilas trail system attracts over 160,000 cyclists annually, according to outdoorrecreation.wi.gov. It was designated a National Recreation Trail in 2022. The system runs over 52 paved miles and connects St. Germain, Sayner-Star Lake, Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters and Mercer.
Where does the St. Germain Hike & Bike Trail start?
The main trailhead is behind the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce at Hwy 70 and Hwy 155. The trail is 12 paved miles and belongs to the Heart of Vilas system, per TrailLink. The Heart of Vilas rule applies, so electric assist is allowed and any eBike capable of more than 30 mph is barred.
All eBike shops in Vilas County
See every rental and repair option in the Vilas County eBike shops list, then match a shop to the route you plan to ride.