New cabins at Three Mile ready for rental

Two new cabins designed for large parties and groups will be ready for rental at Three Mile Lake sometime before Labor Day.

Union County Conservation designated two new cabins constructed using American Rescue Plan Act funds to be ready soon for rental during their monthly meeting last Tuesday.

The two cabins sit on the southwestern side of the Three Mile Lake campgrounds. The position gives close access to the lake, with plans in motion to clear additional paths for even more access with docks and a boat launch.

Various names for the two cabins were proposed, all revolving around a tie to nature. Final decision for the cabins was Pintail for the northern cabin and Mallard for the southern cabin, both names from Union County Conservation Director Mike Hilger.

Both Pintail and Mallard cabins will be available for rental before the Labor Day weekend. As the cabins open for rental, members of the conservation board noted general expected difficulties and growing pains which come from the opening of a new location.

The two new cabins will join eight other small cabins at the Three Mile Lake Recreation Area, as well as the lakeshore cabin, the Three Mile Lodge and the recreation campgrounds. Pintail and Mallard were estimated to house up to 10 people at a given time.

Furniture and final commodities have been installed in recent months for the cabins. Each cabin has a living area on the ground floor, two bedrooms with multiple beds, a bathroom and a loft area with additional beds. Gorgeous views and proximity to Three Mile will make the cabins an ideal summer spot.

The two cabins were partially financed through funds awarded by the county from the American Rescue Plan Act. This was a COVID-era stimulus bill which gifted funds for counties for the purpose of community outreach and local economic projects.

In other areas of Union County Conservation, ARPA funds were used to revitalize the campgrounds of Three Mile, creating new sewer and electrical systems to keep up with the expansion of camping equipment.

In other conservation news...

Conservation brought $82,000 in camping revenue for the 2025 fiscal year, described by Hilger as being “relatively slow.” The lake’s water level was lower than usual during the past year, which could have contributed to lower interest.

Additionally, with spending on repairs to Three Mile Lodge over the past year, revenues from that source were “messed up.” Hilger said he was excited to see how cabin revenue, with the addition of Pintail and Mallard, will look next year.

Union County Conservation will recommend Caleb Hoakison to the conservation board. The recommendation will need to be approved by the Union County board of supervisors.