Oneida County: Experience Forests, Lakes, and the Northwoods

Oneida County is located in Wisconsin’s Northwoods. Forests, lakes, and logging traditions shape the visitor experience. The landscape can be explored through its diverse natural areas, waterways, and cultural sites; the season can also affect travel plans.

Forests and Landscapes

The scale of the water network is a striking feature of the region: Oneida County has 68,096 acres of open water, 406 named lakes, and 830 miles of flowing waterways. Of these, 192 miles are classified as trout streams. On the south shore of the Pelican River, Holmboe Conifer Forest showcases various old northern forest types on steep terrain shaped by moraines. The area was designated a State Natural Area in 1983.

Holmboe Conifer Forest can be reached via Boyce Drive. The parking lot is south of the bridge over the Pelican River; hiking maps are posted at the property sign. The land is privately owned, so access conditions may vary. Check with the landowner before visiting.

The other natural areas also differ considerably in character. Big Swamp is an extensive peatland with muskeg areas, open bog, nutrient-poor fen, and sedge meadows. Enterprise Hemlocks is a mature, mesic forest dominated by hemlocks. “Mesic” here refers to moderate moisture conditions. Four trees there were determined to be more than 200 years old. Lower Tomahawk River Pines, in turn, features mature stands of dry to mesic pine forest.

Lakes and Rivers with Different Access Points

Willow Flowage is a 6,392-acre lake in Oneida County. Seven boat landings managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provide access for motorboats, canoes, and kayaks; public boat landings provide access to the lake. Water levels can affect access to individual landings, and conditions vary seasonally.

The Tomahawk River has canoe and kayak access points via Willow Dam Road, Running Bear Lane, Swamp Lake Road, Prairie Lake Road, and Peaceful Lane. Lower Tomahawk River Pines is accessible by boat. For the canoe route described there, put in at the intersection of the Bearskin Trail and County Highway L and paddle approximately 3 miles downstream. This provides guidance on a selection of named access roads along the Tomahawk River and a specific, approximate paddling distance to the pine forests.

Geology, Birdlife, and History

Gobler Lake brings together several remarkable natural features: it includes a 20-acre bog lake with a muddy bottom and a geologically significant esker. Birdlife includes rare breeding birds such as Black-and-white Warblers, Canada Warblers, and Connecticut Warblers, as well as Lincoln’s Sparrows. Those interested in habitats and geology will find both wet bog conditions and a distinctive geological formation here.

Another perspective on the area can be found at the Rhinelander Railroad Museum in Pioneer Park. It features an authentic Soo Line depot and a model railroad layout depicting Rhinelander in the 1950s. Natural areas and railroad history offer different points of interest: the museum presents a model of a past period in Rhinelander’s history, while the forest and water areas showcase their respective landscapes.

Season and Trip Planning

The Bearskin State Trail is a 21.5-mile recreational corridor surfaced with compacted granite, between Minocqua and Tomahawk. It follows a former railroad corridor and offers a way to experience Wisconsin’s Northwoods. For planning, its route provides a different kind of guidance than the individual water access points: here, the length, surface, and endpoints are specified, while at the rivers and lakes, specific entry points are the focus.

The Oneida County Forestry Department maintains county parks, picnic areas, swimming beaches, boat landings, fishing bridges, and scientific areas. Oneida County receives more than 60 inches of snow in an average year; winters are considered suitable for outdoor activities. This long-term average describes the character of winter, not snow conditions on specific travel dates.

Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport (RHI) serves a large area that includes northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Check flight routes and schedules before your trip. If you’re looking for a hotel in Oneida County, first consider whether forests, waterways, cultural insights, or winter activities will be the focus of your stay.

Explore more destinations: Minocqua, Rhinelander, Hazelhurst, Three Lakes, Green County, Milwaukee, Sawyer County, Marathon.

For the broader travel overview: Wisconsin.