Great Headwaters Trails

Conover-Phelps Trail completion underway!

This year we're completing a very special trail!

Groundbreaking was on May 2 and trail construction is underway.

So is the Trail Opening Campaign to handle any wrap-up costs and to establish a Trail Support and Enhancement Fund.

The aim is to connect two great towns by mid-summer with an extraordinary trail that gets better year after year.

In the works, the River Trail

We're laying the groundwork for this 10-mile extension of the 55-mile Heart of Vilas Trail System, connecting it to Eagle River and the 13-mile Three Eagle Trail.

Our boss is the River Trail Commission which is made up of the municipalities of St Germain, Cloverland and Eagle River.

SepTimber Ride coming again in 2020!

Almost 300 participants enjoyed SepTimber Ride's trail ride or road ride options last fall. The Ride is based at Eagle River's Tribute Brewing Co. and all options take you past a special rest stop at Three Lakes Winery.

The Ride brings in funds for area bike trail development and includes a raffle to win a Specialized electric bike or a Wilderness kayak and paddle Over $20,000 have been raised in the Ride's first 5 years!

Click here for details about SepTimber Ride VI, Sept. 12, 2020.

Ensure a very successful opening for this special trail!

MATCH THE $25,000 TRAIL OPENING CHALLENGE FUND!

DONATE NOW!

By 2017, 8.7 miles of trail was in place and paid for!

$200,000+ donated in 2020 - Work on the last section has already begun!

2021 - Aiming to raise $50,000 to ensure the trail's excellence!

8.7 miles built and paid for

Homestretch Campaign Goal was $200,000

Over $200,000 was donated by 9-30-2020!

of the $25,000 Trail Opening Challenge matched as of 6/19/2021!

Building family-friendly biking and walking trails near the source of a Great River

HELP US GET THE WORD OUT about GHT and Vilas-area bike trails. SIGN UP to help staff the GHT booth this summer.

Since its founding in 2010, the Great Headwaters Trails Foundation has been closing in on its goal to build 40 miles of biking and walking trails in eastern Vilas County. The system we envision will expand the Heart of Vilas Trail System and connect the towns of Eagle River, Conover, Phelps and Land O’ Lakes, resulting in a connected, family-friendly, hard surface trail system over 110 miles long.

The first leg of the Great Headwaters Trails system is the Conover-Phelps Trail being completed this summer. The next leg, the River Trail, will connect St. Germain to Eagle River. DONATE to help us build more trail!

VCEDC exec director presents GHT president award plaque

GHT named May Business of the Month!

May 28, 2021

The Vilas County Economic Development Corporation (VCEDC) has named the Great Headwaters Trails Foundation as their Business of the Month for May. The inscription on the award plaque reads, “In recognition of your tremendous commitment to help ensure a fabulous trail system for individuals choosing Vilas County to live, work,…

Hastening towards a complete Conover-Phelps Trail!

May 22, 2021

Work to complete the Conover-Phelps Biking and Walking Trail is well underway, and the $50,000 Trail Opening Campaign is underway too. Trail construction on the steep banks north of CTH K and the area above and below Military Creek along CTH E is being handled by crews from Janke General…

A year for riding right out of the pandemic

April 3, 2021

In 2021, Northwoods biking opportunities of all sorts for people of all ages continue to grow all over the Vilas County area. A new trail between Conover and Phelps will be completed by mid-summer. Essential groundwork is in place for the River Trail between Eagle River and St. Germain. A…

Be an active ingredient – all kinds of skills are needed to build top notch biking and walking trails. Add yours! <a href="https://ghtrails.org/volunteer-2/">VOLUNTEER</a>

Be an active ingredient – all kinds of skills are needed to build top notch biking and walking trails. Add yours! VOLUNTEER

Make the Northwoods even better – donate to help build the Great Headwaters Trail System <a href="https://ghtrails.org/donate">DONATE NOW</a>

Make the Northwoods even better – donate to help build the Great Headwaters Trail System DONATE NOW

When it comes to nonmotorized trails, here are the people – all volunteers - who are moving things forward in eastern Vilas County. <a href="https://ghtrails.org/about/">LEARN MORE</a>

When it comes to nonmotorized trails, here are the people – all volunteers - who are moving things forward in eastern Vilas County. LEARN MORE

Good trails pay off in fun, well-being, and dollars. Here’s what is in place and in the works right now! <a href="https://ghtrails.org/trail-system/plans-and-progress/">SEE THE PROGRESS</a>

Good trails pay off in fun, well-being, and dollars. Here’s what is in place and in the works right now! SEE THE PROGRESS