Export to Trail Guide
Create Guidebook 
Download GPX 
Print Friendly MapThe Three Eagle Trail is a rail-trail in northern Wisconsin that follows the former Chicago and North Western (CNW) Railway line between the City of Eagle River and the Town of Three Lakes. Approximately 1.5 miles of trail in the north and 3 miles of trail in the south use the former rail corridor, while the rest of the route winds through woodlands and over streams.
The crushed limestone trail has been built in two disconnected segments with a short gap of about 1.25 miles between them that can be traversed on the lightly trafficked Sundstein Road. The northern segment is shorter, beginning in Eagle River at the old CNW depot and heading south, including a bridge over Mud Creek. In the winter, the northern segment is groomed for cross-country skiers.
The longer southern segment of the trail begins in Three Rivers at Don Burnside Park, which offers restrooms, athletic facilities, a playground and picnic tables. From there, the trail meanders through wetlands, dense forest and marshy pines with lots of twists and turns and plenty of benches to rest on. The route includes two boardwalks and a bridge.
Parking for the northern segment is available at the municipal lot on the west end of Eagle River along State Route 70.
For the southern segment, parking is available at either end: at Don Burnside Park in Three Rivers, or at the small lot on Sundstein Road.
Rode the trail today and was totally impressed ! Truly a northern wilderness feel . Great crushed stone surface that is well maintained. I would highly recommend this trail. Can be riden with a road bike.
Awesome trail! It was scenic, curvy, n hilly (small hills). Parked at Don Burnside park In Three Lakes, it’s right by the trail head. Make sure to bring money for Eagle River! The Osprey nest was cool to see and hear! I thought the three bridges were super cool too.
We parked at the Dairy Queen Trailhead in Eagle River. There are mile markers every 1/2 mile. We biked out 9.25 miles to the 3.5 mile marker. The bridges were well kept. Three paved hills on the trail were manageable by two retirees ( 67 & 68) on human power bikes. The trail is well groomed. It is crushed gravel. The off trail road portion is 1.5 miles with mild rolling hills the entire way. There is an outhouse about 3 miles from Eagle River and another about 8 miles from Eagle River. The path winds through the woods with 1-2 open areas. It is fairly level other than the three paved hills previously mentioned. There are gates at the crossroads the first 3 miles open enough for a bike to get through, but not enough for an ATV. There are no crossroads after about 5.5 miles when back on the trail from the road portion.
63 year old couple. In two weeks we rode 11 different trails in Michigan and Wisconsin and this was our favorite of the trip. Although not paved it was very smooth. The leaves that covered the trail seemed like riding on a carpet. Everyone should ride this trail. If it could be rated higher than five stars we would.
We rode it yesterday and really liked the undulating trail. So much better than an abandoned railroad trail. There are quite a few metal barriers to keep cars and atvs off the trail with just enough space for a biker to get thru. The one off trail section is hilly
We rode from Three Lakes north about 6 miles, yesterday, and will do the other half this week. It was a flat trail , but with a few fun curves. We were so impressed by the excellent condition of this trail - smooth and safe. Kudos to whoever is responsible for the upkeep - it’s the nicest stone trail we’ve been on - better than some paved ones ! We were in shade about 80% or more of the way and even the parts that run along Hwy 45 were buffered by a strip of trees and brush. Deeper into the woods was a very peaceful trail full of wildflowers, butterflies and varied scenery. Can’t wait to do the rest of the trail and hope to ride it several more times this summer !
We have biked this trail several times in the last few months, it never seems to get old. Coffee or ice cream in a comfy chair at the end of the trail!
This was our first time on this trail and it’s great. My wife & I went from Eagle River to Three Lakes & back. The stretch in between (on the roads) wasn’t bad as we only experienced one car. The northern section had twist & turns through wooded area as well as boardwalks over marshes. The southern section had the same plus a straight section right by Three Lakes. Highly recommend this trail!
We love the section that starts south of Eagle River a few miles off Sundstein Road at the gravel trailhead. It goes for 5 amazing miles through some beautiful wetlands and forests and then pops out on a busier road on the 3 Lakes side. This is usually where we turn around (5 miles out and back is enough for my 5th grade daughter).
Trail is very well maintained. The short stretch on a low traveled road is the most challenging part due to the steeper hills. The rest of the trail has gentle hills.
I have been visiting the Three Lakes area for the past few years and always look forward to riding this trial. Of the 10 or so trails I have riden this one is the best. This web site discribes what to expect on this trail and the other reviews are also helpful in this regards. I rode the trail on my Catrike Dumont recumbent and it was pure joy. I rode the entire trail both ways starting at the Dollar Store in Three Lakes and ending near the stop and go lights in Eagle River. My GPS said I traveled 25 miles total. I averaged approximately 12 miles per hour on the packed gravel so it took about two hours to ride both ways.You won't be dissapointed riding this trail. It was great. The only causion is to go slow through the 4 or 5 partially closed gates that keep motorized vehicles off the trail. I have a friend who on a different trail broke his neck (fractured C2) hitting one of those barriers because he wasn't paying attention and was riding too fast. So be careful.
I biked from eagle river to three lakes and back on the three eagles trail. Very well maintained trail. I especially enjoyed several longer board walk sections (all had railings)). Lots of beautiful trees and scenery. Trail is well marked. Bring water as there is no water on the trail. Use bug spray. Worth the trip
We biked this trail on Sunday, August 21, after an all day soaker on Saturday so we weren't sure what to expect because this trail is crushed limestone. To our surprise, it was in excellent condition and we really enjoyed it. This trail reminded us of our local Wild Goose Trail in Dodge County in many ways. The facilities along the way were excellent including a water source where we could refill our bottles and a bike station with air etc. We are looking forward to biking it again soon!
This is a very nice trail with good views. We rode 23 miles of it and would go back.
In Wisconsin from Erie, PA visiting relatives and had the pleasure to ride this trail. It was in excellent condition. Very smooth and rut free. We started in Eagle River on rented bikes and rode down to the third boardwalk, not quite all the way to the end. The worst hills are on the paved road section but we two 60+ year olds negotiaqted them without having to walk the bikes. All in all, a great day for a ride!
We rode this trail again on 6/9/16 and the last mile of the trail going into Eagle River is much better. I'm not sure if recent rains fixed it or it was dragged, but it is not near as bumpy. There is also additional signage on the Tara Lila section going south asking horses to stay off the trail.
We started the trail in Three Lakes, parking at Don Burnside park. There are restroom facilities there. You can also park at the Ritter center. The Three Lakes Winery has parking with electric chargers, but I would ask before parking there.
The trail starts out with a gentle downhill grade. It closely parallels US 45 for the first 3 miles. On the day we were riding (05/19/16) there was some trail work in progress. The start of the trail was smooth as glass.
At about the 3 1/2 mile mark the trail turns away from US 45 and into the woods. There is a small and hard to find parking lot here if you would like to skip the section paralleling the road or just want a shorter ride. The trail surface here is excellent. The trail has too many sharp curves in this section for ideal biking, in my opinion. I've skied the trail and it is fine when you are skiing, but the increased speed of biking makes seeing around the corners more difficult.
The trail is almost completely flat until you come up to Mud Creek. A few years back there were beavers here, and you can still see the remnants of their dam looking east. After Mud Creek, there a few hills but they are fairly easy and if you get a good start down one you can usually get up the next one without too much effort. However, the very last hill creeps up on you so it's hard to gain momentum to get up it. It's steep but short, maybe a good time to get off the bike and stretch your legs. Just past the hill is a very well kept bathroom, a sitting bench, and a fully enclosed picnic shelter.
After another half mile or so, you will reach Sundstein Road. There are no signs pointing toward Eagle River. Make a right onto Sundstein and keep bearing right. There are a few hills on Sundstein road, but again more of the rolling type of hill. Turn right at Section 9 road, about a mile and half down. You will see the trail head a few blocks down the road. Again, there is a well kept bathroom and a fully enclosed picnic shelter located here.
The trail continues over a few boardwalks and on into town. As noted in another post, the last mile or so is pocked with hoof marks from horse traffic. Even with our suspended mountain bike frames, the trail was bone rattling. I understand the appeal of combining a bike trail and an equestrian trail, but the reality is that it just doesn't work.
The trail conveniently ends at the Dairy Queen. You can park on the east side of the dirt road at the end of the trail. There is a new rental facility at the end of the trail where you can also rent bikes. You can also park in the municipal parking lot across US 70. It even has a bike lane roped off through the parking lot.
We tried to ride this trail in early May and found the surface very rough. We started in Eagle River and the first mile was full of divots from horses that had used it, rocks and bike tire ridges. We were on Trek hybrid bikes and have ridden many miles on crushed stone trails previously, but this was the worst. We got off the trail at the first paved crossroad and rode the paved back roads in the area instead. I don't know about the condition of the trail further south, but did notice there were no other riders with us and it was a Saturday. Hopefully in time the surface and be smoothed because it really is a beautiful area.
I rode this trail in early September. Had the leaves been changing, it would have been spectacular. Very easy parking in a municipal lot in Eagle River.
Places to picnic, plenty of nice all season benches overlooking great rest stops. Full of marsh lands, thick pines, great woods and off away from the roads for most of the way.
There is a bit along a back rode but it would be safe and perfect for a family ride. The stop in Three Lakes is very nice before I headed back. Or you can do the path in reverse. A nice rest room, with a modern flair and a faucet to get water nearby.
I found this trail peaceful, beautiful and doable in a half day with lunch at either end of it. Great addition to the trails in the area.
_214003_nb.jpg)
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy
(a non-profit) and we need your support!
