The Three Eagle Trail is a 13-mile non-motorized multi-use trail that connects Three Lakes and Eagle River in northeastern Wisconsin. It is primarily used for recreational biking. This newly constructed trail offers an extraordinary biking experience. The wide trail is paved with crushed stone and winds and bends through northwoods forests and wetlands. Extensive wood decked bridges cross rivers and streams. Modern facilities have been constructed to serve the trail with water stations, repair stations, screened picnic shelters, restrooms, and parking lots. All of these services make it delightfully easy to access the trail.
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In recent years, Vilas County has invested eyebrow raising sums to establish itself as a recreational biking destination in the Midwest. The asphalt paved Heart of Vilas trail has become one of Wisconsin’s finest bike trails, rivaling urban trail systems in Milwaukee and Madison. Not to be overlooked is the Three Eagle Trail on the eastern side of the Vilas County which connects into Oneida County.
While the ultra-wealthy are raising lake-side estates and transforming the western half of Vilas into a posh resort enclave emulating the likes of Lenox Massachusetts, the area around Eagle River has retained its quirky northwoods charm. Downtown Eagle River celebrates a 1960’s family road trip appeal that is more akin to Wisconsin Dells.
Eagle River proudly claims to be the snowmobile capital of the world and ATV’s rumble through town more frequently than cars on summer evenings. Being such a motorhead mecca, it suprised me to find one of Wisconsin’s best non-motorized trails dedicated to quiet sports cutting through pristine timberland.
I began this trail at a parking lot on Section 9 Road and pedaled the trail north into Eagle River. The smooth bends and turns that coursed through dense and pungent pine forest was a joy to ride. This trail brought to mind memories of the Sunset Trail in Peninsula State Park. I glided over gentle hills and across the enormous Four Women Boardwalk.
After backtracking I continued south along a road connection that included a hefty hill climb before finding the next leg of the crushed stone course. Along the trail I had to stop and photograph the picnic shelters, water stations, and toilet buildings. These constructions are testaments to the extraordinary planning and investment that went into the establishment of this trail. In no way can this trail be considered second to any other in Wisconsin. No expense was spared in creating a comparatively luxurious trail experience. Even the famed Elroy Sparta Trail falls short of the Three Eagle when comparing the quality of these services … I challenge you to find clean drinking water every five miles on any other Midwestern trail.
But, the real joy of this trail is its meandering path through unparalleled woodsy scenery. While the Heart of Vilas Trail revels in its asphalt paving, it hugs busy highways and rarely treats riders to quiet depths of the great Wisconsin Northwoods. Three Eagle delivers just that, a trail that pulls away from the roads and highways and explores expansive woodlands like few trails I have ever had the joy to ride. I have hiked deep into the woods many times, and I have slogged along mountain bike trails to deep woods scenery, but this trail allowed me to stay cool as I accelerated through twists and turns at exhilarating speeds with ease and quiet calm. As much as I love to hike, I have to agree that trail biking is a cleaner, breezier, and more thrilling way to take in the majesty of the northern forests.
By the time I returned to my car to pack up my bike I had finally worked myself tired and sweaty, but I was left with enough energy to move on to my next adventure, and for a moment before I pulled away I was inspired to jettison my afternoon hiking plans and just keep riding this extraordinary bike trail back and forth through the rest of the day. I am already anticipating a return trip to the Three Eagle Trail.
Three Eagle Bike Trail
COUNTY
VILAS, ONEIDA
COMMUNITIES
EAGLE RIVER, THREE LAKES, CLEARWATER LAKE
TOTAL MILES
13-MILE POINT TO POINT
DIFFICULTY
EASY
PAVEMENT
CRUSHED STONE, ASPHALT, BOARDWALK
Directions and Trail Map
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If viewing on a mobile device, open the trail map above to load into Google Maps App by touching the expand rectangle in the upper right corner.
Address for your GPS: 4650 Section 9 Rd, Eagle River, WI 54521
| coordinates: 45.878945, -89.247160 |
| From Milwaukee | 4.25 Hours |
| From Madison | 3.75 Hours |
| From Green Bay | 2.75 Hours |
| From Wausau | 1.5 Hours |
| From Minneapolis | 4 Hours |
| From Chicago | 5.5 Hours |
Photos
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| Biking the Three Eagle Trail |
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| Biking the Three Eagle Trail |
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| Biking the Three Eagle Trail |
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| Parking lot on the Three Eagle Trail at |
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| Water Station on the Three Eagle Trail |
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| Repair Station on the Three Eagle Trail |
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Parking Lot |
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Picnic shelter, water, and restrooms are provided near the major
parking areas |
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| Picnic Shelter on the Three Eagle Trail |
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| Trail Map of the Three Eagle Trail and adjoining hiking and snow shoe trails. |