Boulder Junction
Boulder Junction sits in the heart of the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest and is famously known as the "Musky Capital of the World"—more muskies are caught per square mile here than any other similar-sized area in the world. The town is surrounded by roughly 194 lakes within about 10 miles, many of them designated Class A musky waters. Boulder Junction used to be the national base of the Boy Scouts, which makes sense when you think about how connected to nature this town is. When you step out of your car in Boulder Junction, there is a part of you that feels like you should never get back in—it feels like you should walk or bike to your destination. Just a lovely small town setting. The compact downtown has a classic Up North feel with shops, restaurants, lodging, and outfitters, while just beyond Main Street, lakes, campgrounds, and forest roads give cabin owners an immediate sense of space and access to the woods. The community leans into both its fishing heritage and its growing reputation as a base for biking and other silent sports, making it attractive to buyers who want serious outdoor options but a quieter, small-town base. For second-home owners, Boulder Junction offers a distinctive mix of musky culture, family-friendly trails, and four-season recreation that feels more like a tight-knit community than a high-traffic resort strip. Below, you will find the most recent lakefront homes, lots and condos (with links to view all Boulder Junction listings) as well as some featured lakes around Boulder Junction (also with a link to all Boulder Junction lakes). Below that you will find information on events, attractions and places to eat in Boulder Junction.
Recent Homes for Sale:
Fantastic south facing Chalet with incredible views of Twin Island Lake in Frontier Lakes Preserve just north of Boulder Junction! Beautifully maintained cedar sided home features 4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, fieldstone gas fireplace, 4 season room, family roo…
If you are looking for a full rec lake, with privacy, peace and quiet, this is a true "MUST SEE". This 3 bedroom, 3 bath home was remodeled in 2025. Large kitchen with ample cabinetry, dining room, large living room with gas fireplace, screen porch off the prim…
Discover your ideal Northwoods retreat at Armour Lake, a stunning 320-acre body of pristine water known for its 56-foot depth and lack of public access. This inviting cabin features 2 cozy bedrooms and 1 bathroom, situated on a spacious 200-foot stretch of sout…
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Recent Lots for Sale:
Prime building site on Morton Lake located in the private Natural Lakes Preserve on the Natural Lakes chain of lakes. The driveway is in, the lot is cleared and there is about 90,000 pounds of limestone blocks from an old barn that could be used for constructio…
Waterfront Lot on Stateline Lake! Rare opportunity to build your dream on the Wisconsin side of sought after Stateline Lake! 200 ft of frontage with 5.15 rolling acres offers several potential building sites including a beautiful hillside overlooking a peaceful…
Large 14A waterfront parcel with complete privacy! Over 1000' of frontage on 75A Dunn Lake in Natural Lakes! Driveway is in to the cleared building site and all ready for your dream home or up north getaway! Access to all that Natural Lakes development has to o…
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Recent Condos for Sale:
View All Boulder Junction Condos >>
GoldBar Lakes in Boulder Junction:
| Lake Name | Access | Acres | Type | Distance | Avg Depth | Clarity | Chain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armour Lake | Semi-Private | 328 | Drainage | 27 min | 26 ft | 10.0 ft | -- |
| Big Muskellunge Lake | Public | 897 | Seepage | 13 min | 26 ft | 14.0 ft | -- |
| Carlin Lake | Semi-Private | 155 | Seepage | 25 min | 18 ft | 21.0 ft | -- |
| Crab Lake | Public | 909 | Drainage | 26 min | 22 ft | 10.0 ft | -- |
| Fishtrap Lake | Public | 339 | Drainage | 11 min | 18 ft | 14.0 ft | High/Fishtrap |
| High Lake | Public | 741 | Drainage | 16 min | 13 ft | 19.5 ft | High/Fishtrap |
| Lynx Lake | Public | 339 | Drainage | 16 min | 18 ft | 15.5 ft | -- |
| White Sand Lake (BJ) | Public | 746 | Drainage | 8 min | 33 ft | 19.8 ft | -- |
| Trout Lake | Public | 3864 | Drainage | 15 min | 49 ft | 15.2 ft | -- |
View All Boulder Junction Lakes >>
The Boulder Junction Experience:
On The Water
Water is at the center of life in Boulder Junction, with nearly 200 nearby lakes providing opportunities for musky, walleye, and panfish fishing as well as paddling and relaxed cruising. Cabin owners can choose between well‑known musky lakes, quieter back lakes, and clear swim‑friendly waters, often with public landings, campgrounds, or small beaches that make it easy to get on and off the water for short or long outings. With so many lakes sitting close together and guides working across a wide radius, buyers can treat a Boulder Junction cabin as a long‑term fishing base, gradually learning different waters and seasons instead of feeling locked into a single lake’s personality.
Trails
Boulder Junction has become a destination for biking and other silent sports thanks to the Heart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail System, which connects town to St. Germain, Sayner, Manitowish Waters, and Mercer over more than 50 miles of paved trail. Additional local loops and nearby forest paths give runners, walkers, and hikers options that pass lakes, wetlands, and campgrounds, with plenty of places to stop for a swim, picnic, or photo along the way. Since the paved trail system ties multiple communities together, active cabin owners can build day trips that start in Boulder Junction, ride to another town for lunch or ice cream, and return on quiet forested paths, which is especially appealing for multi‑age groups and repeat visitors.
Winter
Winter in Boulder Junction blends a strong snowmobile network with groomed cross‑country ski and snowshoe routes, giving visitors lots of choices once the snow flies. The town’s Boulder Junction Winter Park and The Glide, a nearly mile‑long forest ice‑skating trail, add a unique twist to the usual Northwoods winter mix and give cabin owners a reason to head north even when they are not riding or skiing all day. Regular snow reports, club‑maintained snowmobile trails, and groomed silent‑sports systems make it easier for second‑home owners to plan successful winter weekends and introduce kids and guests to cold‑weather activities at their own pace.
Family Fun
Families get easy bike rides, kid‑friendly beaches, simple trails, and winter skating and sledding, all close to a small downtown that’s easy to navigate with kids in tow. Families in Boulder Junction can build trips around easy bike rides on the Heart of Vilas County Trail, swims and picnics at Nichols Beach or North Trout Lake, visits to ranches and nature trails, and winter outings to skate The Glide or play at Winter Park’s sledding hill and rink. Because town is small and many kid‑friendly options sit just a short drive or bike ride away, it is simple to stack low‑stress adventures—beach time, trail walks, ice cream stops, and winter skating—into each visit so the cabin stays fun as kids grow and interests change.
Towns Near Boulder Junction:
Manitowish Waters
A fourteen minute drive through the Northwoods on mostly county roads will take you into Manitowish Waters. Manitowish Waters is similar to Boulder Junction in that it is a laid back down with the essentials and some great places to grab a bite to eat. The Manitowish Chain offers a ski show a couple nights a week in the summer and there are many trails for walking/biking/etc in the area.
Minocqua
Head south for 20 minutes on County Rd M and then Hwy 51 and you will be in Minocqua. The "island city" is probably the most "modern" of the towns in Northern Wisconsin. There are still plenty of the older mom and pop type of businesses, but they are sprinkled in with fast food restaurants and other national box store outlets. There is a wide variety of things to do and places to visit around Minocqua and the chain of lakes that surround the town is one of the most popular ones around. Being popular, it is also the busiest chain around. The town is considered a tourist hot spot and many summer weekends you will feel like you're back in the city with all the people...well, you will if you're coming from the Boulder Junction area at least!
Woodruff
A seventeen minute drive south on M and then Hwy 51 will take you to Woodruff. Woodruff is basically an extension of Minocqua. The road widens to four lanes and the town blends right into Minocqua.
Presque Isle
Twenty minutes to the northwest lies Presque Isle. Presque Isle feels like it was taken off an old "Up North" postcard. You are getting close to the MI border and there isn't a whole lot for activity. If you're looking to get away, it's a great spot to explore.
Trails around Boulder Junction:
Boulder Junction ATV/UTV Routes
Boulder Junction’s ATV/UTV routes use a mix of paved town streets, gravel connectors, and nearby forest corridors to provide around 60 miles of riding options centered on the community. Staging areas and trail‑friendly businesses in town make it easy to unload machines once and ride loops toward neighboring hubs, as long as riders follow current maps, ordinances, and posted signs.
Boulder Junction In-Town Heart of Vilas Loop
This informal loop begins at the Boulder Junction Community Sports & Recreation Area on County M, follows the paved Heart of Vilas trail past the playground and fields, then loops back on quiet town streets through the small downtown. It is short, mostly flat, and close to shops and cafés, making it ideal for a quick leg-stretcher, kid-friendly ride, or evening walk without leaving the core of town.
Escanaba–Pallette Family Loop
This family-friendly loop uses the gentler sections of the Escanaba and Pallette Lake Trails to create a shorter 2–3 mile hike with rolling but manageable terrain and close-up views of at least one of the clear forest lakes. It delivers classic Northwoods scenery—tall pines, shoreline stretches, and occasional wetland boardwalks—without the full hills and distance of the longest loops, making it a comfortable choice for mixed-ability groups.
Escanaba & Pallette Lake Trails
The Escanaba and Pallette Lake Trails form a classic Northwoods loop system south of Boulder Junction, with about 8 miles of interconnected routes that weave between five clear lakes. Hilly, rolling terrain and scenic overlooks make the area a favorite for intermediate hikers and classic skiers who want a more workout‑oriented trail with a rustic shelter stop built in.
Heart of Vilas Bike Trail – Boulder Junction Segment
Boulder Junction serves as a major hub on the Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail, with a paved segment of roughly 13 miles running from the Community Sports & Recreation Area south and west toward Manitowish Waters. Riders enjoy smooth asphalt, gentle terrain, and frequent access points near lakes, picnic spots, and town services, making it popular with both casual families and distance riders.
Lumberjack Trail
The Lumberjack Trail, near Boulder Junction, offers about 12 miles of looping trail through tall pine stands, wetlands, and rolling glacial terrain in the Northern Highland–American Legion State Forest. Used for hiking in summer and classic skiing in winter, it connects into the Escanaba–Pallette system so ambitious users can stitch together longer, more varied routes from a single trailhead.
Boulder Junction Attractions & Viewpoints:
Boulder Junction Historical Museum & Depot (Attraction)
The Boulder Junction Historical Museum, located next to the original 1903 depot, houses exhibits and photos on logging, early resorts, fishing legends, and the old Aqualand attraction. It’s described as small but surprisingly rich, rewarding visitors who take an hour out of a lake or trail day to understand the town’s backstory.
Moondeer & Friends Gallery (Attraction)
Moondeer & Friends Gallery in downtown Boulder Junction showcases original art, prints, jewelry, books, and other work from regional artists in a warmly curated setting. Reviewers often call it a “lovely local art gallery,” and it makes a natural pairing with a coffee, ice cream, or supper-club visit on a non-lake day.
Cathedral Point on Trout Lake (Viewpoint)
Cathedral Point, a peninsula that separates the north and south basins of Trout Lake just south of Boulder Junction, is lined with 100-foot pines and offers sweeping views across one of Vilas County’s biggest lakes. It’s frequently recommended as a top “Instagrammable” spot in the area, especially at sunrise and sunset when light filters through the tall trunks onto the water.
Downtown Boulder Junction Photo Route – Marty the Musky & Giant Rocking Chair (Viewpoint)
Downtown Boulder Junction has become a small cluster of photo stops: the much-larger-than-life Marty the Musky statue at the Chamber office, a giant rocking chair outside Peeplelures, murals on downtown buildings, and quirky signs like the “What Fish Are You?” display. A simple walking loop along Park Street and Main lets visitors collect several of these backdrops in one go between shops and restaurants.
Fallison Lake Nature Trail Overlook (Viewpoint)
The Fallison Lake Nature Trail, a short drive from Boulder Junction, climbs and dips around a small, clear lake, with one especially scenic overlook where the forest and water open up below. Wildlife and plant booklets available at the nearby Trout Lake DNR station make it an educational as well as photogenic stop, particularly during peak fall color.
North Trout Lake Nature Trail Overlook (Viewpoint)
The North Trout Lake Nature Trail is a mile-long interpretive loop off Highway M that offers multiple viewpoints over North Trout Lake from gentle rises along the shoreline. Benches, interpretive signs, and glimpses of islands and open water make it a favorite easy hike for families and photographers staying in Boulder Junction.
Star Lake & Star Lake Nature Trail Overlooks (Viewpoint)
The Star Lake Nature Trail near Boulder Junction traces a peninsula on Star Lake, delivering multiple shoreline vistas and long looks down one of the area’s most beautiful lakes. Boardwalk sections and open points make it a favorite spot for outdoor photographers chasing reflections, foggy mornings, or fall color.
Tom Roberts Nature Trail – Muskellunge Lake View (Viewpoint)
The Tom Roberts Nature Trail is a paved, accessible path near Muskellunge Lake that offers lake views, interpretive signage, and easy strolling for visitors of all ages and abilities. It connects to the Heart of Vilas bike system and sits near a swimming beach, making it a convenient add-on stop for families out biking or exploring nearby forest trails.
Events in Boulder Junction:
Musky Capital of the World® Musky Tournament
The Musky Capital of the World® Musky Tournament runs on designated area lakes as part of Musky Jamboree weekend, giving anglers a chance to compete for prizes while fishing Boulder Junction’s musky waters. For cabin owners, it’s an easy way to turn a regular August visit into a fishing‑focused trip, with weigh‑ins and awards adding social time in town around the day’s hours on the water.
Musky Jamboree Weekend
Musky Jamboree is Boulder Junction’s flagship August weekend, filling Main Street and nearby venues with a big arts and crafts fair, car show, kids’ zone, fishing seminars, food vendors, and live music. Cabin owners and visitors spend the day browsing more than a hundred booths, watching casting contests and fly‑ins, and meeting up with friends in town before heading back to lakes and cabins for evening campfires.
The Glide Illuminations Night
The Glide Illuminations Night is a winter evening event at Boulder Junction Winter Park, when the 0.8‑mile forest ice‑skating ribbon is lit up and families are invited to skate under the lights, warm up by bonfires, and enjoy the atmosphere. For cabin owners, it’s a marquee reason to plan a mid‑winter visit even if they are not snowmobilers, since kids and adults alike can enjoy a unique skating experience in the pines.
Star Spangled Jubilee
Star Spangled Jubilee is Boulder Junction’s Independence Day celebration, featuring daytime activities in town and evening fireworks that light up the sky over the surrounding forest and lakes. Cabin owners often spend the day biking, fishing, or swimming, then gather with neighbors to listen to music and watch fireworks from parks, town streets, or nearby shorelines.
Lions Club Flea Market & Tuesday Outdoor Market
The Boulder Junction Lions Club hosts a large weekly summer market at the Community Center grounds, mixing crafts, flea‑market finds, baked goods, and food stalls. Cabin owners use it as a casual morning outing—picking up fresh treats, chatting with locals, and letting kids wander between booths before hitting the lakes or bike trails.
Music on Main / Boulder Junction Block Party
Music on Main, part of the Boulder Junction Block Party series, brings live bands, food, and kids’ activities to downtown one evening a week during the summer. Visitors and cabin owners bring lawn chairs, grab dinner or snacks from local vendors, and enjoy small‑town street‑party vibes without leaving the heart of town.
White Deer Triathlon
The White Deer Triathlon is a paddle‑bike‑run event that starts on Boulder Lake and continues on forested roads and paths near Boulder Junction, typically held in late May or early June. It draws both locals and visiting athletes, and gives active cabin owners a spring reason to visit, combining race day with early‑season biking, paddling, and time in town.
Boulder Junction Christmas Walk
The Boulder Junction Christmas Walk kicks off the holiday season the day after Thanksgiving, with Main Street shops open late, a community tree lighting, carols, treats, and visits from Santa. It gives second‑home owners a cozy, small‑scale holiday event to build a late‑November cabin tradition around, often mixed with early winter walks or first skis if snow arrives early.
Colorama Arts & Crafts Fair
The Colorama Arts & Crafts Fair takes over Boulder Junction’s Community Center grounds and surrounding area in September, bringing artists, crafters, food vendors, and a flea market together as the maples turn bright red and orange. Cabin owners time fall visits to browse handmade goods, enjoy food stands, and soak up color season before the first frosts arrive.
Boulder Junction Food Scene:
Aqualand Ale House
Aqualand Ale House on Main Street offers a deep rotating tap list of regional craft beers paired with creative pub fare such as flatbreads, wraps, burgers, and pizzas. Visitors praise the beer selection, relaxed atmosphere, and well‑executed food, often calling it a must‑visit stop when staying in Boulder Junction.
Boulder Beer Bar
Boulder Beer Bar is a long‑running corner bar and grill in downtown Boulder Junction serving pizzas, sandwiches, wings, homemade soups, and fresh salads to go with its ice‑cold draft beer and full bar. Guides note its role as an all‑season hangout with games for kids and adults and dependable, crowd‑pleasing bar food right in the middle of town.
Boulder Junction Charcoal Grill
Boulder Junction Charcoal Grill on Main Street serves char‑grilled steaks, burgers, sandwiches, and classic dinners, now with an expanded wine selection and a budget‑friendly carry‑out menu under new management. Locals mention friendly service and satisfying grilled entrees, making it a straightforward choice for a hearty meal in town.
Gooch's A‑One Bar & Grill
Gooch’s A‑One Bar & Grill sits a few miles north of Boulder Junction on County M and is known for broasted chicken, Friday fish fry, burgers, sandwiches, and hearty dinners in a big, taxidermy‑filled Northwoods bar. Locals and visitors describe friendly service, large portions, and a lively, family‑friendly atmosphere that makes it a go‑to stop after fishing, snowmobiling, or riding the area’s trails.
Granary Restaurant at Boulder Junction Motor Lodge
The Granary Restaurant at Boulder Junction Motor Lodge operates as a straightforward family restaurant, serving classic breakfasts, burgers, sandwiches, and homestyle dinners for lodge guests and walk‑ins. It fills the role of an easy, in‑town option where visitors can grab solid, no‑nonsense meals without driving far after a day on the water or trails.
The Guide's Inn
The Guide’s Inn is a gourmet supper club near downtown Boulder Junction featuring veal dishes, hand‑cut steaks, pasta, house specialties, and its famous pan‑fried walleye. Writeups emphasize an elegant yet Northwoods‑cozy dining room, attentive service from chef Jimmy Dean and crew, and multicourse meals that start with crudité and soup and end with house‑made ice cream.
The Ice Shanty
The Ice Shanty is a seasonal ice‑cream stand on County Road M that serves soft‑serve and scooped ice cream, shakes, and simple food alongside a mini‑golf course. Guides describe it as a classic summer stop for families heading to or from area lakes, with easy parking and kid‑friendly mini‑golf next door.
Wild's Granary Restaurant
Wild’s Granary Restaurant is a quaint, family‑run spot offering breakfast all day—pancakes, eggs, omelets, and more—alongside burgers and sandwiches for lunch. Guests like the screened‑in porch with checkered tablecloths, friendly service, and reliably good, hearty plates that fuel fishing and trail days.
