Warm Weather Silent Sports

Ah, summertime. The woods are dense with foliage, the trees alive with birds and the lakes fully thawed and teeming with fish. It’s hard not to hear the call of Eagle River, particularly if you are a silent sports enthusiast. Whether you prefer hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking or even stand-up paddle boarding, the area offers a variety of unforgettable venues for pursuing your passion.

It all starts with the forests. Vilas County is home to over 240,000 acres of public land, including some of the most beautiful and extensive trail systems in the Northwoods. Hikers and bikers will find routes of varying difficulty and lengths, suitable for almost all ages and physical abilities (compare them here). On the more adventuresome side, serious mountain bikers can take their pick from dozens of exhilarating woodland pathways (including highly technical single-track trails), while touring cyclists will delight in Vilas County’s quiet, winding roadways. Hikers also have a wide variety of choices – and all should keep their eyes peeled for white-tailed deer or other species in this pristine natural habitat.

The area’s ubiquitous waterways offer another playground. Vilas County is speckled with 1,318 lakes, including the World’s Largest Chain of Freshwater Lakes – the 28 lake Eagle River chain. Canoes and kayaks are perfect ways to explore these clear, clean (and often inter-connected) bodies of water. If you’re not already an expert paddler, one of our many area vendors can set you up with rental equipment appropriate to your skill and fitness level. Want to really test your physical boundaries? Many area businesses also rent stand-up paddleboards.

Of course, after all of this exercise you’ll probably have quite an appetite. Fortunately, Eagle River offers an abundance of dining establishments, including classic supper clubs, a brew pub, winery, diners and coffee shops. Check out the list here.

Looking for more information? EagleRiver.org has everything you need to plan your next silent sports adventure or other summertime getaways. Come see why we’re Up North – Down to Earth™.