Minocqua Area Towns & Counties
The Minocqua area lies on the border of Oneida and Vilas Counties in Northern Wisconsin. Comprised of four small towns – Minocqua, Arbor Vitae, and Woodruff, and Hazelhurst – the Minocqua area is the quintessential “Up North.” No one can say precisely where Up North begins in the Badger State. Its boundaries are loose. So are the schedules or “to-do” lists for visits. Up North also describes a state of mind, one epitomized in Minocqua.
Time has a way of slowing down in the woods of Northern Wisconsin. Whether you travel here for peace and quiet, fun on the lakes or to make lasting memories with your family, the Minocqua area offers something special for everyone.
Read on to find out more about what makes the Minocqua area so special.
Located in the northwest corner of Oneida County, Minocqua obtained township status on March 13, 1889. The town’s name was derived from the Ojibwe word “Ninocqua,” meaning “noon-day rest.” Native Americans once used the Island of Minocqua as a place of rest during their journeys.
Today, Minocqua (often referred to as part of the Lakeland area) is a flourishing tourist destination, with a variety of accommodations – from rustic cabins to luxurious condominium suites, and campgrounds to bed and breakfasts. It features fine dining, unique shopping, attractions, and historical museums, as well. It is also home to one of the largest concentrations of freshwater bodies in the world, providing endless outdoor recreational opportunities for four seasons of fun in the Northwoods.
As one of the older towns in Vilas County, Arbor Vitae was established in the 1890s, shortly after Vilas became a county in 1893.
Today Arbor Vitae is the center of a flourishing tourist industry and is home to a wide variety of accommodations – resorts, cottages, private homes, hotel/motels, bed and breakfasts, and campgrounds.
Area attractions include wildlife parks, live theater, antique shops, and events. Unique shopping, many fine area restaurants, golf courses, and endless outdoor recreational opportunities also offer four-season fun in the Northwoods.
Abandoned railroad right-of-ways and many logging roads provide an extensive trail system now used for recreational purposes such as snowmobiling in the winter and hiking and biking during the spring, summer, and fall.
Woodruff is a small, unique town that was established in 1888 in Oneida County. The town is believed to be named for George Woodruff, owner of the Woodruff-Macguire Lumber Company. He often had freight labeled, “Ship to Woodruff at Muskonegan Creek, NorthWestern Terminal.” Thus, his name became associated with the site.
Today, Woodruff is the center of a flourishing tourist industry and is home to a wide variety of accommodations, attractions, and endless four-season outdoor recreational opportunities.
A significant Woodruff historical attraction is the Art Oehmcke State Fish Hatchery, which began in 1901. It continues to be one of the only hatcheries still operating in Wisconsin that is responsible for raising and restocking muskellunge, walleye, and northern pike in lakes throughout the state.
Hazelhurst is a small Northwoods town and a hidden gem for travelers seeking a peaceful escape. Surrounded by natural beauty, its quiet, scenic setting offers a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Like many Northwoods communities, Hazelhurst traces its roots to the logging industry. In 1887, Cyrus Carpenter Yawkey established the Yawkey Lumber Company after acquiring land around Lake Katherine. In 2018, the Northwoods Land Trust received 431 acres from the company, now preserved as the Yawkey Forest Reserve. Much of the land is open for non-motorized recreation, with the Bearskin State Trail running through the heart of town.
Oneida County - Hazelhurst, Minocqua,Woodruff
