Eagle River: It’s a Family Tradition
The anticipation of the annual Up North escape to Eagle River is almost as much fun as the moment you net a trophy fish or hit the trails on an ATV. Almost. Traditions start with family. And now it’s your turn to keep that tradition alive with your kids.
We believe memories make us a rich. And we’re grateful to host so many truly wealthy visitors. Perhaps it’s because you don’t need a lot of money to enjoy the natural beauty and serenity of the area.
Besides fishing and ATVing, we’ve got summer pastimes ‘o plenty in our neck of the woods. Hiking. Biking. Golfing. Boating. On top of it all, family friendly events dot the calendar from Memorial Day through Labor Day. We don’t mean to brag, but we’ve got something for everyone during the summer.
It’s probably why so many visitors come back year after year to relive the good times and make new memories in another chapter of their family books. If you’ve already cemented your summer plans with us, we’re honored! If not, we’ve got some ideas to kickstart your summer planning.
Gone Fishin'
Nothing is more iconic—or traditional—than fishing in the Eagle River area. Teaching a son or daughter to fish is a rite of passage for many. Being able to pass that knowledge down to the next generation while spending valuable time together without any distractions is how loving bonds are forged.
It’s not the type of fish or the size, although we’ve got some serious trophy musky in our lakes; it’s the time spent together. But families who want inside info on where to find some bites, our experienced fishing guides are a safe bet. If you want to enjoy the angling experience without the boat and gear, our rental shops can help start or keep your fishing tradition alive and well.
Off (read: On) the Chain
The Eagle River area is home to the Largest Chain of 28 Connected Freshwater Lakes®. So it can be easy to spend an entire day out on the Chain making memories with your family. Motorboating, pontooning (and “tie-ups”), paddle boarding, waterskiing, and jet skiing is just the start of the list of activities you can do on the water.
Finding a sandbar and beaching the pontoon is usually the beginning of a very good day too. One of the top sandbars in the area is just east of Eagle River on the northern part of Catfish Lake off highway 70 near Boat Sport Marine, which will kindly rent out a vessel if you’re in need. It’s a great place to set up shop for a day of lounging while listening to tunes and spending time with friends and family.
Trail Time
Our lakes draw lots of folks. But so do the trails that skirt them. With miles of hiking and biking trails and hundreds of thousands of acres of forest, the area is rife with nature to experience.
There are beginner trails with changing landscape views, like the Three Eagle Trail that connects Eagle River with Three Lakes. Then there are trails like the Anvil Lake Trail, which include experience levels ranging from beginner to intermediate to advanced on the same system.
Our favorite trails and routes guide can help you find what you’re looking for. Or do your own trail research using our handy trail map page.
Get a Tee Time
You might have to alert the deer if you slice one into the woods off a tee box. Then again, the deer often make their way onto the rough, especially near the pond at Eagle River Golf Course.
While it might not be the first thing people think of when visiting Up North, the golf is quite good in Eagle River. Not to mention, it’s another great way to spend time with family doing an activity that might not be part of your existing vacation tradition.
Food Brings Us Together
No matter what activities your family enjoys on vacation, everyone needs to eat. And with a full complement of dining options in and around Eagle River, nobody ever has to go hungry.
Fish fry? Check. Comfort food? You bet. Diners? Ding. Trendy, upscale (yet down-to-earth) restaurants? Yup. Family-owned establishments? Almost all of them. Supper clubs? I’ll take an old fashioned, please. And yeah, we’ve got restaurants for the whole family ready to serve you and loved ones.
Raise a glass and make a toast at your favorite go-to spot on Friday night, then try a new restaurant on Saturday. You never know where you’ll be dining when a new tradition begins.
Cabin? Cottage? Campground? Resort?
The area has all kinds of overnight options. While some families might enjoy staying at the same place every year, others like to mix it up. Maybe they “rough it” one year (although, we wouldn’t necessarily call one of the best camping locales in the Midwest “roughing it”) and then “live it up” in a resort the next year. No matter where you want to rest your head, the Eagle River area has a pillow just right for you.
Memories Makes Us Rich
So keep it going for another memory-packed summer in Eagle River. Continue an old tradition that’ll never change (like fishing) and maybe add a new activity or two (perhaps a new restaurant) to keep it interesting. After all, when it’s all said and done, you’ll be counting memories. See ya soon!
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