Rhinelander
Rhinelander is a typical "big" Northwoods town that sits in the heart of the region on the Wisconsin River and Boom Lake, with hundreds of additional lakes within a short drive in nearly every direction. The town was settled around the river and is more industrial in nature than the other towns on this site, serving as the Oneida County seat and functioning as a year-round service and activity hub for surrounding lakes and rural areas like Pelican and Monico. Rhinelander is known as the "Home of the Hodag"—a legendary Northwoods creature that shows up in statues, murals, and local lore—and hosts the HODAG music festival, Oneida County Fair, and Potato Fest every year. There are a lot of fast food places and other chain stores in town including a Menards and a Home Depot, giving it more of that practical, full-service feel. There are some nice lakes outside of town, and the Boom and Moen Lake Chains are part of the town itself. For cabin owners, Rhinelander offers a place where they can balance pine-scented forests and clear lakes with a useful mix of shops, services, and restaurants, treating it as a hub while still feeling firmly in "Up North" territory rather than in a purely urban setting. For buyers, that combination of lake access, trails, hodag-themed charm, and practical everyday amenities makes Rhinelander a good fit if they want both convenience and a strong sense of place. Below, you will find the most recent lakefront homes, lots and condos (with links to view all Rhinelander listings) as well as some featured lakes around Rhinelander (also with a link to all Rhinelander lakes). Below that you will find information on events, attractions and places to eat in Rhinelander.
Recent Homes for Sale:
Enjoy a rare opportunity to own a home with 150 feet of pristine frontage on Squash Lake, set on 4.6 beautifully wooded acres along one of the area’s most sought-after lakes. This spacious home offers 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and a bonus room, providing a funct…
Set on 2.68 wooded acres with 200 feet of frontage on beautiful Alva Lake, this Harshaw retreat offers rare privacy and easy access to both Minocqua and Rhinelander—two hubs of year-round recreation. From the lake-facing sunroom and primary suite, step onto a s…
The best of Northwoods living—privacy, space, and lake frontage! Just minutes from Rhinelander, this home offers 130 ft of frontage on Bass Lake, part of the Rhinelander Chain. Inside, enjoy over 4,600+ sq ft with 5 bedrooms and 5 baths. The open-concept great …
View All Rhinelander Homes >>
Recent Lots for Sale:
View All Rhinelander Lots >>
Recent Condos for Sale:
View All Rhinelander Condos >>
GoldBar Lakes in Rhinelander:
| Lake Name | Access | Acres | Type | Distance | Avg Depth | Clarity | Chain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alva Lake | Public | 199 | Seepage | 25 min | 27 ft | 18.8 ft | -- |
| Crescent Lake | Public | 626 | Spring | 15 min | 17 ft | 15.5 ft | -- |
| Lake Mildred | Public | 191 | Seepage | 17 min | 12 ft | 23.0 ft | -- |
| Squash Lake | Public | 392 | Seepage | 12 min | 22 ft | 17.0 ft | -- |
| Two Sisters Lake | Public | 719 | Spring | 24 min | 30 ft | 20.6 ft | -- |
View All Rhinelander Lakes >>
The Rhinelander Experience:
On The Water
Rhinelander offers easy ways to get on the water right in town via Boom Lake and the Wisconsin River, with Hodag Park providing a sandy swimming beach, playground, fishing spots, and views across the flowage. Within a short drive, cabin owners can reach well‑known lakes like Lake George, Lake Thompson, Lake Julia, and the Moen Lake Chain, giving them a broad mix of boating, paddling, and fishing options without long highway runs. With lakes both in town and scattered around the greater Rhinelander area, buyers can choose between having a cabin on a quieter outlying lake or being closer to town conveniences and still enjoy easy access to multiple waters for different moods, species, and seasons.
Trails
Rhinelander sits near a large network of trails and quiet roads used for walking, biking, and other silent sports, with regional routes like the Bearskin State Trail and numerous local paths and parks tying into the broader Northwoods trail grid. Nearby systems such as the Washburn Trail area offer miles of singletrack and doubletrack for mountain biking, cross‑country skiing, and snowshoeing, while in‑town parks and short paths provide simpler options close to services and neighborhoods. The area’s trail options range from short park loops to long bike and ski routes, so active cabin owners can scale outings to the group—quick walks and kid rides one day, longer bike or ski adventures the next—without feeling locked into one style of trail.
Winter
Winter is a big season in Rhinelander, which promotes itself as the “Ice Fishing Capital of the World” and offers extensive snowmobile, ski, and snowshoe opportunities in the surrounding forests and on area lakes. The Hodag Sno‑Trails snowmobile club maintains more than a hundred miles of routes that connect to neighboring communities and state forest systems, while nearby trail areas like Washburn provide groomed ski and snowshoe loops for quieter outings. Reliable grooming, strong club support, and easy access to fuel, restaurants, and lodging make it realistic for second‑home owners to plan winter cabin trips around riding, skiing, and ice fishing instead of treating the cabin as a summer‑only place.
Family Fun
Families in Rhinelander have a long list of options close at hand, from swimming, playing, and fishing at Hodag Park on Boom Lake to exploring Pioneer Park, local playgrounds, and a range of hodag‑themed stops around town. Indoor and in‑town choices like the library, museums, mini golf, bowling, and the cinema give parents backup plans for rainy days, while nearby trails and lakes make it easy to get outside when the weather cooperates. With repeat visits, kids can build traditions around hunting for hodag statues, swimming at their favorite beach, or returning to the same parks and mini‑golf courses, helping a Rhinelander‑area cabin feel like a true family base rather than just a random spot on the map.
Towns Near Rhinelander:
Eagle River
Thirty minutes north of Rhinelander is Eagle River. Eagle River is the original vacation destination of the northwoods. It is most famous for it's 28 lake chain of lakes which is the biggest freshwater chain in the world. The town has all the modern conveniences but retains a small town mom and pop feel.
Three Lakes
Thirty minutes northeast of town lies Three Lakes. Three Lakes is a quaint laid back little northwoods town that was voted the best town in America a few years back.
Minocqua
Minocqua is a thirty minute drive up Hwy 47 (yes, Rhinelander is 30 minutes from everywhere it seems). Minocqua has the most going on of all the northwoods towns. Tons of places to eat, tons of outdoor activities, tons of people to watch doing people things if people-watching is entertaining for you.
Trails around Rhinelander:
Cassian Two-Way Trail
The Cassian Two-Way Trail runs about 14.5 kilometers (9 miles) one way through remote county forest west of Rhinelander and is groomed for classic-only skiing, providing up to 29 kilometers of out-and-back distance. In summer, the mowed corridor becomes a quiet hiking and biking route with gentle rolling terrain and multiple access points, especially on the north end.
CAVOC Trails – School Forest
The CAVOC Trails at the Cedric A. Vig Outdoor Classroom use a 1,200-acre school forest east of Rhinelander to provide short looped routes for cross-country skiing in winter and hiking and biking the rest of the year. Gentle terrain, educational signage, and easy access from town make it a convenient choice for families, school groups, and visitors looking for a quick outing close to lodging and restaurants.
Enterprise Winter Silent Sports Trail
The Enterprise Winter Silent Sports Trail lies about 8 miles south of Rhinelander off Highway G and offers an 8-mile main loop plus a 4-mile cut-off groomed for fat bikes, snowshoes, and backcountry-style skiing. The route crosses peat bogs, black spruce swamps, glacial eskers, and the Enterprise Hemlocks State Natural Area, giving users unique access to old-growth hemlock forest that can only be reached safely in winter.
Hodag Sno-Trails Snowmobile System
Hodag Sno-Trails maintains more than 130–140 miles of groomed snowmobile corridors radiating from Rhinelander toward Pelican Lake, Sugar Camp, Monico, and other nearby communities. Riders can stage in town and choose from shorter scenic loops or longer cross-county tours, with club-owned grooming equipment and regular condition reports helping keep surfaces smooth and safe during the heart of winter.
Nose Lake Ski & Snowshoe Trails
The Nose Lake Trails west of Rhinelander offer 12.5 kilometers (7.8 miles) of groomed classic-only ski loops and about 2.3 miles of marked snowshoe paths through gentle county forest. Dog-friendly policies outside the groomed ski season and mellow terrain make this system especially appealing for beginners, families, and anyone wanting a quieter outing than the bigger hubs.
Washburn Area Silent Sports Trails
The Washburn Area Silent Sports Trails, maintained by RASTA on Oneida County forest land near Perch Lake, include roughly 13 miles of purpose-built mountain bike singletrack along with groomed ski and marked snowshoe loops. Flow trails near the trailhead, technical rock gardens deeper in the system, and multi-use winter grooming make Washburn a flagship all-season destination for Rhinelander-area silent-sports fans.
Rhinelander Attractions & Viewpoints:
ArtStart Gallery & Downtown Arts District (Attraction)
ArtStart, located in a historic downtown federal building, hosts rotating art exhibits, performances, and community events that anchor Rhinelander’s arts district. It’s a good rainy-day or evening stop for visitors who want something more cultural between time on the lakes and trails, and it’s within easy walking distance of restaurants and Hodag photo ops.
Kovac Planetarium (Attraction)
Just west of Rhinelander, the Kovac Planetarium is a hand-built, rotating, three-dimensional globe of the night sky housed in a small dome on a rural property. Tours and shows explain how the planetarium was built and give visitors a surprisingly immersive stargazing and astronomy experience far from any big-city science museum.
Pioneer Park Historical Complex (Attraction)
Pioneer Park Historical Complex brings together multiple historic buildings and exhibits, including a logging museum, schoolhouse, CCC camp building, railroad artifacts, and outdoor displays. Reviewers consistently call it one of the best small museum complexes in the region, and the on-site playground makes it an easy half-day stop for families.
Downtown Riverwalk & Hidden Boardwalk Segments (Viewpoint)
Rhinelander has several short riverwalk and boardwalk segments along the Wisconsin River and near downtown that many visitors stumble on by accident. These tucked-away paths offer views of water, bridges, and the backs of older buildings, making for surprisingly good “urban Northwoods” photos just a block or two off the main streets.
Hodag Park & Boom Lake Beach (Viewpoint)
Hodag Park stretches along the shore of Boom Lake just north of downtown, with a sandy beach, playgrounds, ball fields, and long views across the Wisconsin River flowage. It’s a favorite spot for locals to relax, watch boats and sunsets, and get wide-open lake photos without leaving town.
Hodags on Parade – Downtown Statues (Viewpoint)
Downtown Rhinelander hosts a collection of hand-painted Hodag statues at businesses and corners thanks to the “Hodags on Parade” public-art project. Walking a loose loop around the core streets turns into a scavenger hunt for different designs, from fishing Hodags to sports-themed versions, and gives lots of playful photo backdrops.
Holmboe Nature Preserve River Overlooks (Viewpoint)
The Holmboe Nature Preserve lies surprisingly close to town but feels quiet and wild, with short trails leading to views of the Wisconsin River and surrounding wetlands. It’s one of the area’s “top hidden gems,” ideal for quick peaceful walks, birding, and low-key photography between errands or meals in Rhinelander.
World’s Largest Hodag Statue – Chamber Visitor Center (Viewpoint)
Outside the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce on Kemp Street stands the famous World’s Largest Hodag statue, the single most iconic photo spot in town. Visitors and locals alike treat a picture with the Hodag as a rite of passage, and the visitor center inside is a practical place to grab maps and ideas for the rest of a stay.
Events in Rhinelander:
Lights of the Northwoods
Lights of the Northwoods is a drive‑ or walk‑through holiday lights event at Hodag Park that runs nightly from early December through New Year’s Day, with elaborate displays, bonfires, and visits from Santa on select weekends. Admission is donation‑based, and a New Year’s Day fireworks show caps the season, giving cabin owners a reason to visit or stay north over the holidays.
Hodag Country Festival
Hodag Country Festival is Rhinelander’s signature summer event, bringing some of country music’s biggest names to a large outdoor stage north of town for four days every July. Campground neighborhoods, chair‑line traditions, and a come‑as‑you‑are atmosphere make it feel like a giant reunion for locals, cabin owners, and visitors who build their summer around “Hodag week.”
Rhinelander 4th of July Parade & Fireworks
Rhinelander’s Fourth of July celebration features a morning kiddie parade, a late‑morning main parade through downtown, and evening fireworks that can be viewed from Hodag Park or by boat on Boom Lake. Cabin owners often spend the day on the water or at local parks, then head to the parade route and shoreline to watch the town light up after dark.
Hodag Heritage / Community Events
Pioneer Park Historical Complex and local organizations periodically host hodag‑ and history‑themed events, from living‑history days to hodag tours and kids’ activities. These give cabin owners low‑key, educational options on cooler or rainy days and help families connect the town’s mascot and legends to real local history.
Hodag Park Summer Concerts
Summer concert nights at Hodag Park bring local and regional bands to a lakeside stage, with plenty of space for blankets, lawn chairs, and kids to play while boats drift just offshore. For cabin owners, these shows are an easy way to cap a day on the water or trails with live music and sunset views without leaving town.
Downtown Rhinelander Art Fair / Summer on the Square
Rhinelander’s downtown art fair (often branded as Art Fair on the Courthouse Square or similar) brings artists, crafters, food vendors, and live music to the city center for a summer Saturday. Cabin owners use it as an easy in‑town outing—grabbing coffee, browsing booths, and picking up Northwoods‑style art and décor before heading back to the lake.
Rhinelander Fall Festival / Pumpkin or Harvest Events
Rhinelander hosts various fall events—often pumpkin or harvest‑themed—that bring craft vendors, food, and kids’ activities to downtown streets or parks as the leaves turn. Cabin owners can tie these weekends to color drives, last‑chance paddles, and quiet lake time, using the festival as an easy in‑town anchor for a shoulder‑season visit.
Rhinelander Food Scene:
a'la Mode Refreshment Center
a’la Mode is described as Rhinelander’s “exclusive refreshment center,” serving super premium Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream and other refreshments in an indoor treat‑shop setting. It gives visitors a year‑round option for high‑quality ice cream and sweets beyond the seasonal soft‑serve stands.
Arby's
The Rhinelander Arby’s on North Stevens Street offers the brand’s standard menu of roast beef sandwiches, Market Fresh sandwiches and wraps, curly fries, and shakes via dine‑in and drive‑thru. It is Arby’s.
Backwaters Bar & Grill
Backwaters Bar & Grill sits on the northern end of the Boom Lake chain on the Wisconsin River, with docks for boaters and easy snowmobile‑trail access, serving ribs, broasted chicken, burgers, and weekly dinner specials. Guests highlight the water views, ample outdoor seating, and a menu of hearty comfort food and drinks that make it a favorite stop for boaters and sledders.
Briq's Soft Serve
Briq’s Soft Serve on North Brown Street is a family‑operated ice‑cream stand serving soft‑serve cones, sundaes, and specialty shakes, highlighted in local guides as a go‑to summer treat spot. Its in‑town location and walk‑up format make it an easy stop after dinner or on hot afternoons for families and kids.
Crimson Coffee & Cafe
Crimson Cafe on Davenport Street operates as a cozy coffee shop and cafe serving espresso drinks, gourmet sandwiches and salads, seasonal homemade soups, and occasional curry specials, along with wine and cocktails. Locals appreciate the flavorful, more adventurous menu, relaxed atmosphere, and the option to stop in for morning coffee, lunch, or occasional evening events.
CT's Deli
CT’s Deli on Brown Street is a popular modern deli serving hot and cold sandwiches—including Chef Tom’s beef brisket—paninis, salads, soups, and a rotating lineup of sides, plus a small craft‑beer and wine selection. Visitors highlight inventive flavor combinations, generous sandwiches, and a laid‑back, counter‑service setup that works well for takeout or a casual downtown lunch.
Culver's
The Rhinelander Culver’s on West Kemp Street serves the brand’s usual menu of ButterBurgers, fried chicken, salads, and fresh frozen custard via dine‑in and drive‑thru. It is Culver’s.
Dina Mia Pizza
Dina Mia Pizza on North Stevens Street is a longstanding Italian‑American spot serving pizzas, pasta dishes, and simple Italian dinners at modest prices. Diners mention its traditional, slightly retro feel and reliable takeout pies as part of Rhinelander’s pizza rotation.
Hardee's
The Rhinelander Hardee’s on Lincoln Street serves charbroiled Angus burgers, chicken sandwiches, breakfast biscuits, and hand‑scooped ice‑cream shakes. It is Hardee’s.
McDonald's
The McDonald’s on South Stevens Street offers the standard national menu of burgers, fries, chicken sandwiches, and breakfast items, with dine‑in and drive‑thru service. It is McDonald’s.
Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza
Papa Murphy’s on Lincoln Street prepares take‑and‑bake pizzas, salads, sides, and desserts for customers to cook at home, including value deals like “Papa’s Picks” large pizzas. It is Papa Murphy’s.
Pat's Tavern & Grill
Pat’s Tavern & Grill in Rhinelander is a classic downtown tavern known for good burgers, tacos, and pub staples, plus a pleasant seasonal patio for outdoor dining. Reviews describe it as a friendly, low‑key spot with solid food and drinks, often recommended as a local “hidden gem.”
Pizza Ranch
The Rhinelander Pizza Ranch on South Eisenhower Parkway serves buffet‑style pizza, fried chicken, and salad bar along with carryout and delivery options. It is Pizza Ranch.
Rhinelander Cafe & Pub
Rhinelander Cafe & Pub has been a downtown staple on Brown Street for more than a century, serving steaks, burgers, sandwiches, and classic supper‑style dinners with a salad bar and strong beer and wine list. Guides describe it as a go‑to for Sunday brunch, Friday fish fry, and everyday dinners, with a friendly, old‑school pub atmosphere right in the heart of downtown.
Rhinelander Family Restaurant
Rhinelander Family Restaurant on West Kemp Street is a roomy, family‑friendly spot serving big breakfasts, burgers, sandwiches, and nightly specials like Friday fish fry and Saturday fried chicken. Reviews mention generous portions, fair prices, and friendly service, making it a reliable everyday stop for locals and visitors on the west side of town.
R&T's Dinky Diner
R&T’s Dinky Diner is a small, old‑school diner on Lincoln Street offering classic breakfasts, burgers, and diner‑style milkshakes in a quirky, nostalgia‑rich space. Locals mention friendly owners, simple comfort food, and a fun, slightly kitschy atmosphere.
The Fireside Supper Club
The Fireside Supper Club west of Rhinelander overlooks Town Line Lake and offers a full supper‑club menu of steaks, seafood, pasta, and classic Friday fish fry and Saturday prime rib in a cabin‑style dining room. Visitors praise the relaxed but elegant Northwoods atmosphere, friendly service, and standout dishes like French onion soup, perfectly cooked prime rib, and tenderloin.
Tilly's
Tilly’s is a modern cafe and bakery in Rhinelander emphasizing organic and seasonal ingredients, artisan coffee and tea, and scratch‑made pastries, breakfasts, and lunches. Locals appreciate the thoughtful menu, good coffee, and fresh baked goods, treating it as a go‑to spot for lighter, quality‑focused meals.
Wally's South 17 Supper Club
Wally’s South 17 Supper Club on Boyce Drive offers entrees like prime rib, chicken Parmesan, Friday fish fry, and other classic supper‑club dinners in a lodge‑style dining room. Reviews call out very good food—particularly the prime rib and fish—along with friendly service and a casual, slightly quirky atmosphere.
White Stag Inn
White Stag Inn, a short drive west of Rhinelander on Highway 8, is a longtime Northwoods steakhouse known for charcoal‑grilled tenderloin, ribeye, and other steaks paired with baked potatoes and a signature wedge salad. Reviews describe an old‑school supper‑club feel with dim lighting, simple but expertly prepared menus, and a focus on doing steaks and classics very well rather than offering a huge menu.
