Three Lakes: Lakes, Forest, and Local History
Accommodation in Three Lakes
Three Lakes is defined by an extensive lake region, but also offers forest trails, snowmobile routes, and insights into local history. This blend makes the town appealing to travelers who don’t want to limit their vacation to a single theme. When choosing the focus of your trip, you can weigh nature watching, outdoor activities, and cultural offerings.
Lakes and Nature Trails
Three Lakes lies at the southern end of a chain of 28 interconnected lakes. Twenty of these lakes are in Three Lakes and offer 106 miles of shoreline. These figures illustrate the scale of the lake region and give the town a clear connection to the water. Looking at the entire chain, more than seven out of ten lakes are in Three Lakes; this proportion illustrates how closely the town is integrated into the connected lake region.
The Sam Campbell Memorial Trail offers a different side of nature. It passes through a forest of pines, balsam firs, and deciduous trees. In spring, the trail offers opportunities to spot birds and wildflowers. One section leads to Wegimind Point and Vanishing Lake. Those interested in forests and nature watching will find a different focus here than in the lake region.
Three Lakes has 132 miles of state-funded snowmobile trails, as well as another 54 miles of locally funded trails. The Three Eagle Trail begins at Don Burnside Park in Three Lakes.
Local History and Culture
The Three Lakes Historical Society & Museum consists of seven exhibit buildings documenting the history of the Three Lakes area. Local history is a distinct subject alongside nature and lakes. Historical boat tours on the Three Lakes Chain included accounts of the history of many early families, their homes, and boathouses. This historical perspective focuses not only on the families themselves, but also on the homes and boathouses that were part of these stories.
The Three Lakes Center for the Arts Theater shows popular films. Another local connection can be found at Three Lakes Winery: its historic tasting room is located in the Chicago and Northwestern railroad station in downtown Three Lakes. Three Lakes Winery offers free wine tastings year-round.
The Aqua Devils Ski Shows entertain audiences from mid-June to mid-August. This timeframe provides a seasonal reference if you’re interested in this offering. Together with the year-round wine tastings, these cultural and local attractions have different timeframes.
Choosing the Right Focus for Your Vacation
When looking for a vacation rental or vacation home in Three Lakes, it helps to first decide what you want from your trip: the lake region, nature trails, or local history each offer a different focus. If you’re traveling with several interests, you can consider which themes you’d like to devote the most time to during your stay.
If you’d like to discover other places, you can also find Hazelhurst, Minocqua and Rhinelander here.
For the broader travel overview: Oneida County.
