Whatever corner of Oneida County you visit, you’re sure to find friendly people, beautiful Northwoods scenery, and great places to play, eat, and stay. Here’s a closer look at the communities that make up Oneida County.
Minocqua Area
The Minocqua Area consists of the town of Minocqua as well as the neighboring communities of Woodruff, Arbor Vitae, and Hazelhurst. The Minocqua Area is a classic Northwoods vacation destination, offering hundreds of nearby lakes to explore, as well as great places for shopping, dining, and unique attractions.
You’ll find unique attractions and events in the Minocqua Area year-round, from ski shows by the Min-Aqua Bats ski team in the summer to Beef-A-Rama in the fall.
The Bearskin State Trail, which takes its name from the local Bearskin Creek, is a flat, crushed-granite trail that follows the route of a former railroad line south from downtown Minocqua to Tomahawk. It’s a popular destination for walkers and bikers, and part of the trail is also open to snowmobilers in the winter.
Get out on the water in the Minocqua Area to fish for musky, walleye, crappie, bass, and northern pike on great fisheries like Lake Minocqua, Kawaguesaga Lake, Clear Lake, the Rainbow Flowage, Big Arbor Vitae Lake, and Little Arbor Vitae Lake.
Learn more about the Minocqua Area.
Rhinelander
When you visit Rhinelander in central Oneida County, you’re heading into the heart of Hodag Country. Rhinelander is the proud home of the Hodag, a mythical beast that was first “discovered” here in the late 19th century and can now be seen everywhere around the city, from the giant statue outside the chamber of commerce to murals, signs, and store names throughout Rhinelander.
Rhinelander is also home to great recreational trails, whether you’re interested in hiking, mountain biking, or winter sports. A hidden gem is the Holmboe Nature Preserve, located just south of Highway 17, which offers a short but scenic walking trail along the Pelican River.
You can fill your calendar with fun events in Rhinelander, too, including the long-running Art Fair on the Courthouse Lawn, Hodag Country Festival, and Lights of the Northwoods.
Three Lakes
Don’t let the name fool you—there are a lot more than three lakes near this charming town in northeastern Oneida County. In fact, the Three Lakes Chain of Lakes, which connects with the Eagle River Chain to the north, boasts an impressive 28 lakes and is the largest freshwater chain of lakes in the world.
But it’s not just lakes here, either, as Three Lakes boasts an impressive selection of trails for hiking, biking, skiing, and other recreational pursuits. The Three Eagle Trail connects north to Eagle River and is a great scenic spot for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
In historic downtown Three Lakes, you’ll find lots of great shops and restaurants, from supper clubs to specialty food stores and everything in between.
Tomahawk
Located at the confluence of the Wisconsin, Tomahawk, and Spirit Rivers just south of the Oneida-Lincoln County border, Tomahawk is home to more than 15 lakes and flowages, as well as several popular restaurants, lodging properties, and stores.
Hikers and bikers can explore the Hiawatha Trail and the Bearskin State Trail, and the Lynne/Little Rice ATV Trail System is nearby if you’re a fan of four-wheeling. Lake Mohawksin is known for its trophy musky fishing, and the Spirit Flowage is a great place for walleye fishing.
Local businesses include classic Northwoods lodges and resorts, gift shops, specialty food stores, wineries, and more—plan your visit to Tomahawk today.
Lake Tomahawk
The small town of Lake Tomahawk (population 1,110) sits in the heart of the Northwoods in the middle of the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest and is a great home base for Northwoods adventures like paddling, hiking, fishing, and snowmobiling.
The 3,100-acre Rainbow Flowage, located just northeast of Lake Tomahawk, is a popular destination for paddling and fishing, boasting an impressive population of panfish, pike, and walleye. Other popular recreational lakes nearby include Tomahawk Lake, and Horsehead Lake.
Lake Tomahawk is also home to a unique summer tradition: snowshoe baseball games, which are played on Monday nights in June, July, and August with both teams wearing snowshoes. The game is played with a 16-inch ball and no gloves, and concessions include delicious homemade pies for sale.
Learn more about Lake Tomahawk.
Pelican Lake
Pelican Lake is an unincorporated community on the shore of Pelican Lake in southeastern Oneida County. It’s home to popular lodging properties and restaurants, and is a great place to explore the lakes of northern Wisconsin.
At 3,585 acres and a maximum depth of 39 feet, Pelican Lake is one of the largest lakes in the county, and it’s well-known for a sizeable population of northern pike, musky, and walleye. Other popular fishing lakes in the area include Enterprise Lake, Summit Lake, and Upper and Lower Post Lakes.
A public beach can be found at Summit Lake south of Pelican Lake.
