Overview
Rhinelander is a town in North Central Wisconsin that is a commercial, industrial, and recreation hub for the Northwoods area of Wisconsin. Because of the forests, lakes, and trails in the area, it is both a summer and winter vacation destination. Its population was 8,300 in 2020.
2 sights
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Rhinelander
Pioneer Park Historical Complex
A logging museum, the famous “5 Spot” Logging Train, a replica of an 1870s logging camp, an old school building and a Soo Line railroad depot from the 1890s.
Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame
Dedicated to amateur ice hockey in the state of Wisconsin.
Plan your trip
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- RHI Rhinelander Oneida County Airport, Rhinelander — 3 mi away. Directions
- CWA Central Wisconsin Airport, Mosinee — 61 mi away. Directions
- MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field, Minneapolis — 193 mi away (major hub). Directions
Traveling north and south, Rhinelander can be reached via State Highway 17 and State Highway 47, and traveling east and west, Rhinelander can be reached by US Highway 8. Rhinelander can be reached from Minneapolis and Milwaukee in about 5 hours and from Chicago in about 6 hours.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Pioneer Park Historical Complex
- Afternoon Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The Rhinelander area has numerous vacation destinations, offering fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, ATVing, mountain biking and hiking, hunting, golfing, cross country skiing and snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and bird watching. It also serves as a main shopping and lodging area for the Northwoods.
Rhinelander is the home of the hodag, a folkloric green and white creature said to stalk the local woods.
Get in
Traveling north and south, Rhinelander can be reached via State Highway 17 and State Highway 47, and traveling east and west, Rhinelander can be reached by US Highway 8. Rhinelander can be reached from Minneapolis and Milwaukee in about 5 hours and from Chicago in about 6 hours.
Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport (RHI), two miles (3 km) southwest of Rhinelander, provides daily service from Minneapolis (Delta Air Lines).
Get around
By car
Travel by car is necessary to explore Rhinelander and the Northwoods of Wisconsin. There is no public transit system in the Rhinelander area. Roads are well maintained and marked. Ample, free, at-door parking is readily available. Downtown, parking is easy to find and very inexpensive.
See
Sleep
- Eagle River is a 24-mi (38-km) drive away and offers many different options for lodging on and around its chain of lakes. The Eagle River section of the Eagle River-Three Lakes chain of lakes features 10 interconnected lakes. The city also boasts a charming downtown.
Nearby
Wausau
City / town · 24 listings · 48 mi away
Medford
City / town · 21 listings · 57 mi away
Iron Mountain
City / town · 8 listings · 66 mi away
Ironwood and Gogebic Range
Rural area · 19 listings · 67 mi away
Shawano
City / town · 14 listings · 72 mi away
Channing
City / town · 2 listings · 72 mi away
Marshfield
City / town · 6 listings · 77 mi away
Stevens Point
City / town · 10 listings · 78 mi away
My experience
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