The Northwoods is known for its lakes and the activities you can do on—or in—them. And it turns out that tourists looking for active, non-water activities have a lot of options too.
Hiking is a popular activity, especially around all our area lakes. But did you know many of the same trails are good for biking too? It’s not strange to see a rod in someone’s hand up here. But you can just as easily swing a racket or paddle on premier tennis and pickleball courts. You can always find time for the lake. We just want to remind you about some of those active opportunities available in our neck of the woods.
Here are some of the active options in the Eagle River area that aren’t as well known.
Try a Different Kind of Paddle
Kayaks and standup paddle boards are fun activities that can be good for your health. But have you tried pickleball? Yes, America’s fastest growing sport is in Eagle River too. The Eagle River Pickleball Association runs open play and instructional sessions for those looking to improve their game and meet new friends (more than 100 members!) with similar interests. The courts are in Riverview Park, just northwest of the Eagle River Downtown.
If you prefer a racket, Eagle River also offers a great place to play tennis. The Greater Eagle River Tennis Association (GERTA) rebuilt and maintain a set of four tennis courts just a few blocks west of the pickleball courts. For more information on these sports, check out our tennis and pickleball page online.
Fore!
There’s something about teeing off toward a forest of pines that adds a dual sense of adventure and calm to the game. You might even find yourself yelling “fore!” at wildlife that happens to cross your fairway.
Eagle River Golf Course (established 1923) has been around longer than Eagle River has been a city (incorporated in 1937). Seasoned golfers looking for a challenge can find one here; yet, the scenery of the wooded, watered, and carefully groomed course is perfect for beginners. A fully stocked pro shop ensures golfers of all abilities will have the right gear to play a round.
And if your crew is your kids, the family-centric nature of miniature golf is a great way to enjoy golf at a miniature level. The Eagle River area is long on the short game with three different mini golf destinations.
Kartway not only has its own mini golf course, but it also has a variety of go karts, bumper cars, a bouncy house, saddle horses and ziplines to keep everyone entertained.
Elmer’s Fun Park added mini golf to its list of activities in 2016. West of Eagle River, the park also includes bumper boats, go karts, and saddle horses.
Eagle Falls Adventure Golf and Laser Tag has a fishing cabin-themed mini golf course, complete with bait shop, fishing dock, waterfalls, ponds, and fountains. A 3,000-square-foot indoor laser tag arena makes for a good rainy-day activity.
Zip Through the Trees
Flying high might seem easy when you’re up here. But often do you take it literally?
It’s one thing to enjoy the natural beauty of Northwoods trees from the ground or a boat. It’s another to fly through the canopies of them. For visitors who want a birds-eye view of our great land, ziplining is the ticket.
High up in the pine trees, Zip Line Adventure Tours offers 13 different zip lines, 14 aerial trekking obstacles, five adventure bridges, a rappel, and cargo net climb. It’s a hair-raising experience that shouldn’t be missed for adventure travelers.
Trails for Pedals
If you want to keep your feet closer to the ground (but still off it), bicycling is going to be more your speed. There’s a trail for every cycling experience level in the Eagle River area.
There are easy rides with changing landscape views, like the Three Eagle Trail that connects Eagle River with Three Lakes. There are more challenging trails that require some hill endurance, like the Winman Trails which attract serious cyclists. Then there are trails like the Anvil Lake Trail, which include experience levels ranging from beginner to intermediate to advanced on the same system.
Get more details on the different trails available in our favorite trails and routes guide. Do your own trail research using our handy trail map page.
An Active Eagle River Stay
Relaxing during a vacation is important. Maybe you’d prefer to do it on one of our hundreds of area lakes. But if you’ve read this far, you’re probably the type that likes to break a light sweat while enjoying time in a destination too. And you’re in luck, because the Eagle River area can provide that experience as well.
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