Oneida County’s friendly communities offer everything a visitor to the Northwoods of Wisconsin could want, from exciting outdoor recreation to great places to stay. Here’s a closer at Three Lakes, which is home to much more than three lakes and is a fantastic place for a getaway in northern Wisconsin.
Learn more about Three Lakes here.
Outdoor Recreation
Like we said, there are more than three lakes in Three Lakes—far more, in fact. Three Lakes is located on the Three Lakes-Eagle River Chain of Lakes, which includes 28 interconnected lakes and is the largest chain of freshwater lakes in the world. These lakes—20 of which are in and around Three Lakes itself—offer some of the best musky and walleye fishing in the Northwoods, though more than a dozen other species of fish can be found here, too.
Three Lakes sits on the doorstep of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, another massive recreational wonderland that covers 1.5 million acres of Wisconsin’s Northwoods and is a great place for hiking, biking, fishing, and winter activities. The Three Eagle Trail, a 12-mile route that connects Three Lakes with Eagle River to the north, is a popular destination among bikers, walkers, and cross-country skiers.
In winter, snowmobilers can enjoy nearly 200 miles of excellent snowmobile trails that pass through some of the Northwoods’ best scenery, including the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and the Three Lakes-Eagle River chain of lakes.
Events
Three Lakes’ Fourth of July Celebration is a popular event among locals and visitors alike every summer—festivities include a pancake breakfast at the high school, a parade through downtown, a used book sale, a party in the park and fireworks at dusk.
Three Lakes is also home to one of the Northwoods’ longest-running waterski show teams, the Three Lakes Aqua Devils, who have been putting on exciting, family-friendly shows every summer since 1958.
In September, don’t miss the North x Northwoods “music crawl”, a weekend filled with free live music at venues throughout Three Lakes, and the town’s annual Oktoberfest, which features beer, polka music, an artisan market and authentic German food.
Find more Three Lakes events here.
Shopping & Dining
Looking for Northwoods souvenirs or Three Lakes merchandise? Head to Three Lakes Mercantile, a downtown establishment that offers a little bit of everything. Mind Chimes Bookshop sells books for all ages, as well as cards, journals, puzzles, and tea. Little Dipper is a unique shop where you can find everything from wildflower bouquets to local artisan goods to vintage bike and snowshoe rentals. Three Lakes Winery has been making the Original Cranberry Wine since 1972, perfect as a souvenir, or a thoughtful gift for the coming holidays.
All this excitement is bound to make you hungry, but don’t worry—Three Lakes has plenty of bars, restaurants, restaurants, coffee shops, and sweet shops to keep you full during your visit. Black Forest Pub & Grille has been serving Three Lakes residents and visitors for more than 80 years and offers traditional German fare and other favorites. Lick-A-Dee-Splitz offers 28 delicious flavors of ice cream, as well as fudge, toffee, and chocolates from May through September.
Find more options for shopping & dining in Three Lakes.
Places to Stay
Three Lakes is home to nearly 30 resorts, cabins, vacation homes, and other lodging properties, many of which are located on the Three Lakes Chain or provide easy access to snowmobile trails and other recreational opportunities.
Find more places to stay in Three Lakes here.
