Three Eagle Trail: Three Lakes to Sundstein Road
The southern portion of the Three Eagle Trail runs from Three Lakes to the Sundstein Road trailhead on the edge of Vilas County. The trail is 8.4 miles long, and the crushed stone surface is compacted and in excellent condition. Much of the path is very wide. The route is generally level, with a few hills along the way.
The best place to begin a ride in Three Lakes is at Don Burnside Park. Located off Stanzil Street, the park has parking lots, ball diamonds, tennis courts, soccer fields, playground, restrooms, and a horse arena. By car, it may be reached from U.S. Highway 45 in downtown Three Lakes by going west onto Superior Street from the highway. Drive 0.2 mile and turn left (south) on Stanzil Street. Drive to the parking area in the park.
The trail begins by the tennis courts and runs 175 yards north to Michigan Street. It turns right (east) on Michigan Street and proceeds 250 feet. It then turns left (north) onto the path. The trail passes the Reiter Center, Three Lakes Winery, and other businesses before crossing Superior Street. After crossing Anderson Street, the trail heads north out of Three Lakes, paralleling U.S. Highway 45 and Wisconsin State Highway 32.
Three Lakes became a town in 1881, and was named for three separate lakes (Maple, Townline, and Range Line) that the rail line circumvented. The town’s early industry was focused on logging and forestry. Most of the area’s virgin forests were cleared during this time, and reforestation projects began in the 1930s. Due to replanting efforts, logging continues to be an important local industry.
Today, tourism also plays a vital role in the economy. For cyclists, a popular stop right on the trail is Three Lakes Winery. Open since 1972, the winery is housed in the historic 1880 depot of the old Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. Their specialty is cranberry wine, and they offer an assortment of other fruit wines in their tasting room and shop.
Black Forest Pub and Grille is a popular restaurant not far from the trail. Opened in 1934 as a tavern, the pub serves outstanding German cuisine and Wisconsin pub fare from scratch. The Jägerschnitzel is recommended. The pub regularly features live music. Across the street is the Lick-A-Dee Splitz ice cream shop, a perennially popular stop for tourists and locals.
Back on the Three Eagle Trail, the path ventures into northern Wisconsin’s scenic forest. It’s an experience for all the senses as squirrels chatter, birds sing, and leaves rustle in the wind. A thick canopy of deciduous trees shades the path, while the scent of evergreens fills the air. Wildlife sightings are common, and wildflowers grow trailside. However, the forest is also home to mosquitos and biting flies, which may become especially bothersome when pausing on the trail. Long pants and mosquito repellent reduce their impact.
From Three Lakes, the path heads straight north for 3 miles aside U.S. Highway 45 and Wisconsin State Highway 32. The forest buffers the view of the highway. At occasional areas, the trail passes through low marshland. The trail crosses Towline Creek, Rice Lake Road, and Wykowski Road. At this last road is the Northwoods Petroleum Museum. Admission to the museum is free, and it features the history of the local petroleum industry.
At Witkowski Road, signage may generate confusion about which direction the trail goes. Some signs indicate the trail ends, but these are for snowmobilers. Bicyclists continue north across the road, as indicated by bike route signs. Just north of Wykowski Road is a small kettle lake left (west) of the trail, next to a trail parking area. A simple parking lot with no facilities, this trailhead is 3 miles north of Three Lakes. By car, it is accessed by car from U.S. Highway 45 and Wisconsin State Highway 32.
After this trailhead, the path turns left (west) and enters more deeply into the woods. The trail widens and curves, wandering through stands of pines, aspen, maple, and oak trees. Numerous benches provide places to rest.
After 1.4 mile, the trail arrives at Cranberry Boardwalk, a long wooden structure over a cranberry bog. A half mile north of the boardwalk, the trail passes over a spruce bog on Black Spruce Boardwalk. Different scenery surrounds each bog, but both boardwalks offer splendid views of nature and its worth taking time to enjoy the scenery.
One mile down the path from Black Spruce Boardwalk is a large opening in the trees, where the trail crosses Mud Creek. This stream flows on a winding course from Columbus Lake to the Wisconsin River. The view of the creek and neighboring wetlands from the bridge is spectacular, and worth a stop. The open wetlands are within view for some time before the path plunges back into the thick forest.
The trail winds through beautiful woods for 2 miles after crossing Mud Creek. It meanders through the forest next to the lands of Tara Lila. Signs from the conservancy remind trail-goers to remain on the path, since snowshoe routes cross the trail.
The Three Eagle Trail emerges from the forest at the trailhead on Sundstein Road. Here, it enters Vilas County. The trailhead has a parking lot, portable toilet, information kiosk, and donation station. Water, a shelter, and bicycle self-service station are nearby. By car, the trailhead is reached from Eagle River by turning south onto Sundstein Road from Wisconsin State Highway 70 (Pine Street). Drive 3.7 miles to the trailhead.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
Cyclists may want to continue biking to the northern portion of the Three Eagle Trail. To do so, go north on Sundstein Road for 1.2 miles and turn onto the path that leads right (east) onto Section 9 Road. Head 0.3 miles east on the town road to the trailhead. It is on the north side of the road. The trail resumes there on its way to Eagle River.
Trail last ridden and documented in July, 2022.