Eagle River is a city and the county seat of Vilas County in Wisconsin, United States. It sits in the southeastern part of the county along the Eagle River, which forms part of a popular chain of lakes. The area is characterized by numerous inland water bodies, including the Eagle River/Three Lakes Chain of Lakes, which contains 28 interconnecting lakes. This geographic setting defines its location within the Wisconsin Northwoods region.

The site was home to the first permanent Native American settlement in the Wisconsin Northwoods, initially occupied by Old Copper Indians and later by Woodland Indians. The community's name derives from the abundance of eagles nesting along the river. Bethuel Draper and Dutch Pete Cramer are believed to have named the area in 1853, with a formal settlement growing in 1857. The town was established by state legislature in 1885, and Vilas County was created in 1893.

The city is defined by its extensive network of lakes and recreational infrastructure. It serves as the location for the World Snowmobile Headquarters and International Snowmobile Hall of Fame. The Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame is situated in Eagle River Stadium, which hosts the local GLHL team. The area features a public golf course and numerous condominiums, seasonal vacation homes, and hunting cabins that dot the landscape.

Eagle River attracts visitors through its status as the Snowmobile Capital of the World, hosting the World Championship Snowmobile Derby for over fifty years. It is also known as the Hockey Capital of Wisconsin due to its pond hockey championships. Recreational activities include boating, fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling on over 500 miles of groomed trails. Bald eagles can be viewed in the area, reinforcing the city's namesake identity.

The population was 1,628 at the 2020 census. The climate is cool and humid continental, with long, very cold winters and short, warm summers. Temperatures drop below freezing on 190 days annually. Transportation access includes the Eagle River Union Airport for general aviation and a nearby commercial airport in Rhinelander. Healthcare is provided by a 14-bed critical access hospital, though the area faces physician shortages.