Find New Adventures in Eagle River

Chances are you know that our back yard has the World’s Largest Chain of Freshwater Lakes – all 28 of them. But do you know how to access them from Long Lake?

There’s always something fascinating to learn about the area and an unfamiliar place to discover. From the middle of a lake to the outskirts of a forest, new experiences can be found just about anywhere up here. While it’s a great idea to go explore on your own, we thought it might be nice to put together a list of fun places and activities you might not know about.

Burnt Rollways Boat Hoist

Boat through the north end of Long Lake from the Three Lakes side of the Chain (south of Eagle River) via the Eagle River and you’ll find yourself at the Burnt Rollways Dam and Boat Hoist.

In operation for more than 100 years, the Burnt Rollways marine railway was originally an inclined railway that used mechanical power furnished by the stream to take boats up to the Three Lakes chain. It has used an electric gantry hoist running on a 165-foot-long trestle way since 1952.

If you’re out and about on the Chain, watching the boat hoist in action is a fun experience for everyone. And no matter what side of the Chain you’re on, don’t forget to have some fun out on the water.

Pirates Lurk on these Waters

Not real pirates, thank goodness. But there is a “real” pirate ship in Duck Lake! If you happen to come across it, there isn’t need for worry. In fact, it’ll likely bring about a grin.

This happy bunch of scallywags are much better at hosting tours and parties than plundering buried treasure or boarding less intimidating vessels. The ship belongs to Pirate’s Hideaway. The restaurant and event space underwent some remodeling on its shoreside property just last year. So even if you’ve been there in the past, it’s worth checking out again.

Hidden in Plain Sight

The Eagle River Depot Museum rests in the heart of downtown Eagle River, but much like missing the trees for the forest, it can be overlooked. Just like the history inside the walls of this museum, the depot itself has quite the backstory.

The first ever rail depot was just a boxcar without wheels next to the tracks. The original depot burned down in a fire before the current iteration was built in 1923. It underwent a complete overhaul in 2004 and now contains some of the most fascinating historical accounts in the Northwoods.

The museum is open Thursdays and Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for anyone interested in learning more about the rich history of the area.

Find Yourself in the Hall of Fame

Maybe you won’t have earned your way through enshrinement, but there is a way to get into a few different halls of fame in Eagle River. While these halls are decorated with winter sports heroes, there’s never a bad time to learn about the histories of snowmobiling and Wisconsin ice hockey.

The International Snowmobile Hall of Fame has quite a collection of championship sleds, photos, and merchandise. Part of the World Snowmobile Headquarters, the hall of fame celebrates much more than the men and women who race; it shares the stories of snowmobile inventors and innovators, as well as trail and program developers.

Considering that Eagle River is the Hockey Capital of Wisconsin, it probably shouldn’t come as a big surprise that the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame is here. Founded in 1975, this hall of fame honors the outstanding individuals responsible for the development, growth, and success of amateur ice hockey in Wisconsin. It’s located inside the historic Eagle River Sports Arena, often referred to as The Dome.

See What Else There Is

Eagle River has the lakes, trails, shops, and festivals to make any trip complete.  But don’t sleep on these other fun activities and stops the next time you’re in our neck of the woods. From sailing the high seas on a pirate ship to going back in time to the days of gangster hideouts, Eagle River always has another adventure waiting to be discovered.