Right on the trail in Plum Lake.
We’re on the “Heart of Vilas County” bike path in Plum Lake. There’s plenty to do for anyone who likes a good snack and a pretty view.
- Where
- 2879 Highway 155
Sayner, WI 54560 - When
- Opening 2027. Weekends to start, 7:30 to 2:30.
Around Plum Lake
Pack a snack, pick a trail.
Trails, lakes and campgrounds within a short ride of the shack. Point at a pin, or tap one, for the details.
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Sweetfern Snack Shack
Coffee, bakes, snacks
Right on the Heart of Vilas bike trail, at the south end of Sayner.
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Musky Mountain Trails
Mountain biking
Beginner to expert singletrack loops on the site of the old Mus-Ski Mountain ski hill, built by LAMBO and still growing.
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Fern Ridge Trail
Mountain biking, winter fat biking, hiking, snowshoeing
Four miles of one-way flow singletrack with ride-arounds on every feature, plus hilly hiking loops and a bog boardwalk.
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Shannon Lake Trails
Mountain biking, winter fat biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing
Gently rolling loops from about 2 to 6.5 miles, with a scenic circuit around Shannon Lake. Ungroomed skiing and snowshoeing in winter.
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Escanaba Trail
Mountain biking, cross-country skiing, hiking
Hilly, scenic trail looping past five lakes. Groomed for classic skiing in winter; state trail pass required to ski.
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Razorback Ridges
Cross-country skiing, mountain biking, snowshoeing, hiking
About 16 miles of Lions Club-maintained trails just west of Sayner. Singletrack in summer; classic and skate skiing in winter, plus a warming building and ice rink.
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Awassa Trails
Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, winter fat biking, hiking
Three level, shaded loops through oak, maple and pine on 230 acres owned by the Town of St. Germain. Groomed for skiing in winter, free, and one of the few wheelchair-accessible trails around. Park behind the elementary school.
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Fallison Lake Trail
Hiking, snowshoeing
One of the forest’s more rugged hikes, circling Fallison Lake through bogs and a hemlock glade. Watch for loons, osprey and eagles. No bikes.
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Star Lake Trampers Trail
Hiking, snowshoeing
Rolling 1- and 2-mile loops through old logging country, home to some of Wisconsin’s first tree plantings from 1913. No bikes.
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North Trout Trail
Hiking, snowshoeing
An easy 1-mile loop around a spruce-tamarack bog and along the Trout Lake shore. Great for spring wildflowers.
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Allequash Lake Boat-in Sites
Paddling, camping
Four campsites you can only reach by boat, each with a picnic table, fire ring and open-air toilet. Reserve ahead.
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Bittersweet Wild Lakes Boat-in Sites
Paddling, camping
Five boat-in campsites across four quiet lakes, with names like Trapper’s Cabin and Loon Song. The road in is rough; four-wheel drive recommended. Reserve ahead.
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Nebish Lake Boat-in Sites
Paddling, camping
Two boat-in campsites on a research lake. Anglers register at the Escanaba Lake fish checking station before and after each day on the water. Reserve ahead.
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Crystal Lake Campground
Camping, paddling and swimming
Modern state forest campground with showers, wrapped around a no-motorboat lake, with the bike trail at the gate.
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Firefly Lake Campground
Camping, paddling and swimming
Modern campground with showers on a small, clear, sandy lake with no boat motors.
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Musky Lake Campground
Camping
Modern campground with showers on Big Muskellunge Lake, next door to Crystal Lake.
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North Trout Lake Campground
Camping
Rustic campground on the northeast corner of big Trout Lake, with a boat launch and bike trail access.
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South Trout Lake Campground
Camping
Small rustic campground on deep Trout Lake, right on the paved bike trail.
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Plum Lake Campground
Camping
Small rustic campground on Plum Lake with a fishing pier, close to Sayner.
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Starrett Lake Campground
Camping, paddling and swimming
Designated quiet zone (no generators) on a small electric-motors-only lake. Good swimming.
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Razorback Lake Campground
Camping
Popular rustic campground for swimming, boating and fishing.
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West Star Lake Campground
Camping
Rustic campground on Star Lake with excellent swimming and a nearby hiking trail.
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East Star Lake Campground
Camping
Rustic campground on the southeast corner of Star Lake, known for fishing and swimming.
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Carrol Lake Campground
Camping, paddling and swimming
Small rustic campground on the south side of Carrol Lake, with a swimming area, picnic area, boat launch and an accessible fishing pier.
Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail
- Address
-
2879 Highway 155
Sayner, WI 54560On the northwest corner of Froelich and Highway 155, right on the trail.
Google Maps (opens in new tab)Apple Maps (opens in new tab) - Right now
- No regular market this year while we build. Watch Instagram (opens in new tab) for the odd pop-up.
- The shack, 2027
- Open to bikes and boats.
Open to skis and sleds.
Open to whatever you’re headed out to do.
Weekends to start, 7:30 to 2:30. - Say hello
- sweetfernkitchen@gmail.com
@sweetfernsnackshack (opens in new tab)
Writing about us? Same address, with “Press” in the subject. - Getting here
- Campgrounds, boat landings and trailheads all around; hike, mountain bike, ski or sled from the door. Bike parking out front, dogs welcome outside, cars welcome too.
Out the door
On the trail
We’re directly on the “Heart of Vilas County” paved bike path in Plum Lake.
On the water
Less than a mile from Plum Lake, and in the same county as over 1,300 others.
In the snow
Ski trails and sled routes open when the snow flies.
By trail from the shack
- St. Germain about 8 mi
- Sweetfern Snack Shack mile 0
- Plum Lake Campground about 1 mi
- Crystal Lake Campground about 5 mi
- South Trout Lake about 8.5 mi
- North Trout Lake about 11.5 mi
Miles by trail, rounded. The trail runs 52 miles in all.
Know before you go
Things people ask us at the market.
If the answer you need isn’t here, email us. We answer honestly, including when the answer is “we don’t know yet.”
So when do you open?
2027, weekends to start, and 7:30 to 2:30 is the plan. We’ll name the date the minute we know it; the opening list hears first.
Can I get anything before then?
Not on a schedule this year; we’re building. If we pop up, it’ll be on Instagram (opens in new tab).
Can I pre-order for a group ride?
Not yet — no pre-orders to start. We’ll open walk-up and see what the trail needs.
I’ve got a nut allergy. What’s safe?
Every opening-day item lists its ingredients on the menu; rotation bakes get theirs on the board at the shack. Most things contain wheat, dairy, and egg; some contain nuts and seeds. GF and vegan options will be marked at opening.
Are you open in winter?
That’s the plan. Ski and sled season brings people to our neighborhood. We’ve got stuff to keep you warm, and we’ll post the season schedule once we set it.
Bikes? Dogs? Cars?
Bike parking out front, dogs welcome outside, and there will be plenty of nearby parking for cars too.
Water? Restroom? Pay by card?
Yes to all of it. Fill your bottle, use the restroom, pay by card, grab a seat, and top up your tires at the pump out front.
Do you do wholesale or catering?
Ask us: sweetfernkitchen@gmail.com, subject “Wholesale” or “Catering”.
Why “Sweetfern”?
It’s a plant with an unmistakable warm, northern scent. We’ve both always loved it, and it was just another thing we discovered we had in common.