Sugar Camp

The sweetly named town of Sugar Camp may sound like it would be a wonderful place to visit if you ’ re seeking a fudge shop or candy store , but that ’ s not what you ’ re going to find in this quaint little Oneida County town .

Instead , Sugar Camp is home to some of most delightful snowmobile trails in the entire Wisconsin Northwoods , thanks to a dedicated local club , an ideal location and support from the local community .

Located just south of Eagle River , east of Minocqua and north of Rhinelander , Sugar Camp is a central hub for multiple famous trail systems . But the trails here are not as busy as some of those other high-profile areas . And , the local trails are truly ideal .

One example would be Trail 17 leaving Sugar Camp to the north . It meanders through a long rural stretch of great wooded scenery , with a mix of sweeping bends and tight turns that take riders all the way up to the dam overlooking Dam Lake .

But truly , the riding in any direction is very good if you center your team out of a place like Pitlik ’ s Sand Beach Resort in the Sugar Camp area . You can plan long or short looped rides and enjoy all that the Northwoods has to offer ,

knowing that you ’ ll start and end each day on those great Sugar Camp trails .

The Sugar Camp Snowmobile Club embodies the spirit of the Northwoods in that its members make the absolute best with the resources presented to them and take great pride in how that is reflected in their trails .

The club maintains just over 80 miles of trails , relying on two groomers and the dedication of a few committed operators . Of those miles , only 41 are state funded , while the remaining miles are maintained through fundraising efforts and local community support .

Though small , the club consists of many members that have dedicated time and tremendous energy for decades . This includes countless volunteered hours of manual labor as well as the use of personal tools and machines to simply get a job done that needs to get done , no questions asked . Riders traveling through the area can ’ t help but notice the pride the Sugar Camp club takes in its trail system . The quality of the trails is due to a commitment to grooming often and at the right times , as well as the prep work before the snow starts to fall . Prior to season , the club assembles crews , machinery and equipment to inspect , brush , mow and clear every mile of trail .

Gracious local land owners and generous business owners are another key to Sugar Camps success . To learn more , visit SugarCampSnowmobileClub . org or PitliksResort . com .

Carbon County

Located high atop the Continental Divide , between the Snowy and Sierra Madre mountain ranges in south-central Wyoming , Carbon County has everything necessary for an awe-inspiring snowmobile vacation .

Easily accessible from Interstate 80 , Carbon County welcomes snow-season visitors with a wide variety of guest ranches , resorts , inns and lodges , including award-winning establishments .

You can upgrade your accomodation by staying at the Saratoga Hot Spring Resort , with spa packages and admittance to their teepee covered pools . An excellent array of dining options , such as Italian fare at Bella ’ s Bistro or The Malt with gourmet quick-serve burgers , are available to keep you going for many hours of fun in the snow .

With two pristine snowmobiling areas with more than 500 miles of trails plus superb backcountry riding in powder snow up to 12 feet deep is just outside your door .

The Snowy Range has more than 300 miles of trails that lead to backcountry areas open to snowmobiling boondockers . Start out from Saratoga , Riverside , Encampment , or Elk Mountain to begin your adventure .

Southwest Carbon County offers the Sierra Madres , with another 110 miles of trails and deep-powder backcountry

riding , surrounded by majestic mountain scenery . Enter from Encampment on the eastern side or begin your ride at Baggs from the west .

For the more daring , the Shirley Mountains to the north of Hanna and Medicine Bow have nearly 100 miles of ungroomed trails .

Local outfitters provide sleds , gear and even guides to maximize your adventure .

You can also bring your own sled and gear , with a modestly priced state permit required to ride .

Elevation varies between 6,000 to 11,000 feet above sea level , so bring plenty of water and make sure your sled is tuned for best performance at these higher altitudes . Air temperatures can vary greatly during the day , so versatile riding gear for changing weather conditions is recommended .

After an exhilarating ride , call ahead to set up an appointment to visit one of the county ’ s many museums that showcase ranching , railroading , western and military history throughout the region . Then soothe your tired body with a relaxing dip in Hobo Hot Springs at Saratoga , open 24 / 7 and free to the public .

Discover Carbon County this winter , and enjoy the outstanding snowmobiling as well as pre- and post-snowmobiling excitement .

Call 800 / 228-3547 or visit wyomingcarboncounty . com for a searchable directory of lodging and activities for more details and assistance .