Located just 15 minutes southwest of Mosinee, this large park offers 10 miles of gravel multiuse trails and single track trails. A large parking lot is available across from the A-Frame Park Managers office and from here trails heads both east and west. All of the trails are a mix of granite based and rake and ride single track trails that are minimally maintained. There is currently no fee to ride on this trail system. 

In summer, frequent deer and other wildlife sightings can be made while on these trails that meander through hardwoods and with periodic views of the Big Eau Pleine Flowage. Gravel trails are shared with hikers, bikers, and horses.  When using a multi-user trail system is important to remember proper trail etiquette and yield to other users when appropriate

 
Winter offers groomed bike trails. This trail system is designated for bikes with tire width of 3.8 inches or greater. The CWOCC partners with the Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Department in to groom these trails after appropriate snowfall occurrences. Winter trails are available to riding opportunities through March 15, when weather and snow totals are permitting.

This trail system offers summer and winter biking and stays open between both seasons.  

Located just 15 minutes west of Wausau, this developed county forest recreational area offers miles of off-road mountain biking opportunities. There are 13.45 miles of single-track trails and 20 miles of 12' wide trails (the cross-country ski trails) ranging from beginner to expert level available for summer use. This area hosts several major mountain bike races each year including Wausau 24.

Fees do apply to all riders 12 years and older who ride this trail system and several options currently exist for purchase.  A summer pass, winter pass, combination pass, and daily visit options exist to accommodate varying needs of users.  Season passes can be purchased online, in office, or through self-registration stations.  There are several self-registration stations throughout Nine Mile including the chalet parking lot on Red Bud Road, the Hollywood Road parking lot located on the west side of the property, and the Fawn Road parking lot located on the southeast side of the property. The summer bike fee area includes usage of all trails at Nine Mile County Forest for summer biking; single-track, cross-country ski, and snowmobile trails.

In general, summer bike trails open for the season when the trail system has adequately dried up. Typically this is May 1 - 15 and they remain open through October 15.  After this date they closes to allow for small game and deer hunting activities. The department may post trails closed signs as applicable throughout the year if conditions warrant. After the trail system opens, they will open at noon daily through the end of the spring Turkey hunting season which runs well into May. Please avoid any wet trail sections to minimize trail damage.

Starting in 2022-2023 Winter Snow Biking (3.8 inches or bigger tires) became a permitted activity at the Nine Mile County Forest. The season starts in conjunction with the Cross County Ski season; usually after mid December. 7.6 miles of trail will be groomed and maintained for this designated use.  Some of that trail mileage is shared with snowshoe user.  Biking is prohibited on all cross country ski trails except for special events and designated trail crossings.  Trail courtesy dictates that bikers should yield to individuals using snowshoes and skiing. When riding at night you must wear a light. 

Class 1 and Class 3 pedal assist electric mountain bikes (eMTB) are allowed at Nine Mile and all other County Forest lands during open biking season. Class 2 throttle type electric mountain bikes are prohibited.

Sylvan Hill Park

This loop trail system has approximately three miles of trails with four downhill options for riders with different skill levels.  This bike park includes a pump track, a small skills area to help riders hone their abilities and the large loop system circling the park.

To access the trail system riders should park in the trailhead parking lot at 3298 Coates Lane, Wausau.  This lot is located at the top of Sylvan Hill in the very southeast corner of the property.

Some of the trails require advanced riding and jumping skills.  There are signs explaining difficulty levels, and 'filter' features at the beginning of the more difficult runs.  If a rider can traverse the filter jumps, they should feel comfortable riding the rest of that run.

Sylvan Hill Park is multi-use and includes a number of hiking trails.  Bikers please be courteous and yield to all pedestrians.  At this time there is a donation box at the trailhead but no required fee; there will likely be a fee required in the future.

As part of the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail and recognized as a high flyer status Bird City, Wausau, the county seat, is a great place for bird watching. Several waterfowl bird watching areas are available to the public within the Marathon County Forests. The Wausau Bird Club also provides opportunities for the public to get involved with monthly meetings and local events including bird walks. Check out their website for event details throughout the year. Wausau is also home to the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, which nationally renowned for it annual Birds in Art exhibit.

Bern is managed cooperatively with the Department of Natural Resources for waterfowl production. Over 50% of this unit is either open water or marshland. It is surrounded primarily by aspen, which is being managed for a host of songbirds as well as grouse and woodcock.

The Bitzke Bird Walk, part of the Hewitt-Harrison county forest. There are five major earthen dams providing open water for a host of various songbirds, waterfowl, deer, turkey and beavers.

The trail system is approximately 2.0 miles and will take you along the bird walk. There are six interpretive displays along the trail and an observation tower to give you a full overall view of the area. The trails are open year round. Hunting is also prohibited from September 1 to November 15.

Canoe and Kayak Launch

Canoe and kayak paddlers of all ages, abilities, and experience now have an easier way to launch on the Wisconsin River and Lake Wausau.  Handicapped-accessible launches for public use are available in both Riverlife Park and DC Everest Park.  

Other kayak launches are also available at Riverlife Park to help additional paddlers.

Annual installation and removal will vary with seasonal ice and flooding conditions. In early spring and late fall you may want to contact the Park Administrative Office at 715-261-1550 to determine availability.

People from around the world have traveled to Wausau to hit the water at Whitewater Park, located just a few blocks from downtown. There isn't anything like this anywhere else in the country. Paddlers of all ages compete on the kayaking course. Wausau Whitewater hosts a variety of competitive events including Freestyle and Slalom competitions at local, national, and international levels as well as the recreational releases. They bring the sport to you through introductory and advanced training classes as well as recreational paddling days! Don’t forget about our Wausau RiverFest with free kayaking demonstrations and a Hooligan Race.

Great Pinery Heritage Waterway

The Big Eau Pleine county park in our park system is home to an 18 hole, 6,750 foot course that offers a mix of open and wooded holes. The course is located in the west unit of the park, adjacent to the family campground. Once in the west unit of the park, take the first left which is located just past the entrance to the family campground and look for the information kiosk on the left. An initial practice hole is located on the north side of the kiosk which then leads you to the first hole. Enjoy a relaxing round of disc golf and you stand a fair chance of spotting some wildlife along the way.

• Course Rules
• Course Map

This short, open course provides a beautiful view of Lake Wausau throughout its nine holes, with water obstacles challenging players on 4 holes. This course is free to play.  Here is a map and scorecard for your use while out on the course.

Two Hearts Dog Park

Our current trail status details can be found here.

The Big Eau Pleine is the large county park and offers nearly 10 miles of trails shared with hikers, bikers, and equestrian riders. A large parking lot is available across from the A-Frame Park Managers office and is the trailhead heading east and west from that point. All of the trails are granite based. Trails typically open to horses around May 1 annually.

The Dells of the Eau Claire county park offers over 5 miles of hiking trails. There are parallel trails along both sides of the river that offer an up-close experience to the beauty of the Eau Claire River corridor. There are two hiking bridges crossing the river. The west crossing is a 120-foot span of the river and provides spectacular view of the river rapids. The east crossing is on the dam, located near the beach area. These hiking paths connect in with the Ice Age Trail.

The trails south of the river and west of Hwy Y provide a varied experience from some very steep terrain to relatively flat sections along the river. These trails will bring the hiker through towering white pines and hemlocks. Parking, a small shelter, and restrooms are available just off of Hwy Y.

Our current trail status details can be found here.

Horse trails typically open for the riding season between May 1 and May 15, contingent upon spring trail conditions.  To accommodate the spring turkey hunters, these trails typically open at noon daily on opening day through the last day of the spring turkey season.

The Big Eau Pleine is the large county park, offers nearly 10 miles of equestrian trails.  A large parking lot is available across from the A-Frame Park Managers office and is the trailhead heading east and west from that point.  All of the trails are granite based. Riders are asked to stay on the trails after the trails open.  Riding on the road is prohibited except to cross while on a trail.  Riding after October 15th and winter riding is allowed however, some of the horse trails will be groomed for winter snow bike. 

• Horse Trail Map

All of the trails within Kronenwetter County Forest and Leather Camp County Forest are granite based and traverse the length of the forest units. Kronenwetter (North of Hwy. 153) provides roughly 9 miles of trails and Leather Camp (South of Hwy. 153) provides approximately 8.5 miles of trails. Parking lots are available at Hunter Road, Martin Road and Hwy. 153.  Trails are not signed so it is advised to take a map or compass while riding.

• Horse Trail Map

The Nine Mile County Forest provides roughly 9 miles of trails. The trails traverse the forest unit and over a wide variety of topography. Parking is available at the Chalet.

• Horse Trail Map

The woods and hills surrounding the Wausau Area abound with wildlife and game birds. Ideal natural conditions provide some excellent areas for hunting. Marathon County and the Wausau Area benefit from both county forestry management units and state wildlife areas that offer public hunting access. Hunting licenses in the Wausau Area are available at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources office and at many retail outlets selling guns and hunting equipment. Complete Wisconsin hunting regulations may be picked up where licenses are sold. The DNR's hunting page provides information on hunting dates, obtaining your license, hunter's safety, and more.

Hunting and trapping are prohibited in all City of Wausau parks and all Marathon County Parks except for the Big Eau Pleine County Park.

This Big Eau Pleine Park archery deer hunt information is available to those interested in hunting or learning more about hunt in the park. Don't forget to complete your harvest report to let us know the details about your hunt within Big Eau Pleine Park.

Marathon County has several County Forest Units offering a variety of hunting opportunities, including:

• Bear - Hewitt-Harrison, Kronenwetter
• Beaver - Kronenwetter
• Deer - Hewitt-Harrison, Kronenwetter, Nine Mile
• Rabbit/Hare - Nine Mile
• Squirrels - Nine Mile
• Upland Game Birds - Bern, Burma, Hewitt-Harrison, Kronenwetter, Leather Camp, Nine Mile
• Waterfowel - Hewitt-Harison, Nine Mile

The Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Department recommends that everyone wear blaze orange clothing while in any of the County Forest Units or outlying County Parks adjacent to private property during any statewide gun deer hunts or any other hunting season.

Hunting and trapping are prohibited in all Marathon County and City of Wausau parks. Marathon County has several County Forest units offering a variety of trapping opportunities. No permit is required for trapping.

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Indoor Ice Rinks

Marathon Park

Multi-Purpose Building #1 and # 2 are converted to indoor ice from mid September to the beginning of March annually. There is no ice at Marathon Park March through mid-September. The indoor rinks will never close due to cold temps. Multi-Purpose Building #1 is heated and Multi-Purpose Building #2 has an infrared heater which provides minimal heat. 

It is now easier than ever to reserve private ice time in Marathon Park for the skating season at Multi-Purpose Building #1 or #2 by going to the CivicRec website. You will be required to create an account and pay for all ice that you reserve at the time it is booked.  Ice can also be booked by contacting the department at 715-261-1550.

Open Skate

Skate rental and daily, season, and session passes are available. Skates are not allowed to leave the premises. Rental skate sizes range from a child size 10 to an adult size 13. There are approximately 70 pairs of skates. They are all single blade (no double blade skates for the kids). The majority of the skates are in the size range of 4-8.

Our fall/winter recreation guide contains our open skate schedule.

Any time the combined air and wind temperature falls to -20 degrees or colder, the outdoor rinks will close. All areas have lighted ice rinks with warming houses. Lights are on timers for night skating.  Rinks exist in several of our parks. Rinks open as conditions allow and run through mid February, weather permitting.  

Inline Skating ordinance per Wausau Police Department, no inline skating allowed in the downtown area:

• Washington Street from 2nd Street to 4th Street
• Third Street from Grant to Washington
• Jefferson from 2nd Street to 4th Street
• All city operated parking ramps
• Not allowed on any city streets where sidewalks are available
• Not allowed in any public parking lots (ie Shopko)
• Not allowed on private property without permission of owner

Wausau Skatepark, located on the south side of the driveway entrance to Oak Island Park, welcomes BMX bikes, inline skates, and skateboarders as weather permits.

Our current trail status details can be found here. Customers also post their recent trail condition experiences at Skinny Ski and groomer operators provide trail condition updates at the ski chalet each time they leave the trails.

The Nine Mile trail system located in Central Wisconsin just minutes from Wausau is one of the top cross-country skiing facilities in Wisconsin. During the season, the ski chalet offers a changing area, ski and snowshoe equipment rentals, daily trail pass sales, restrooms, and a spacious warming area with a wood stove. For chalet hours, please visit the Nine Mile Forest Unit page.  Cross county ski and snowshoe season passes can be purchased online, from our business office or over the phone at (715) 261-1550.  Pre-season discounts and group discounts are also available.  For a full list of our fees, please review our Facility and Program Fees.

 
The 18.3 mile (29.6km) trail system is double tracked with an 8' wide skating lane; Trail difficulty ranges from beginner to difficult making this trail system attractive to all skiing abilities. Trails are generally one-way.  There are 3.9 miles (6.3km) of ski trails lighted and programmed to go on at dusk until 9 pm daily during the ski season.  There is also an established Cookie Trail Loop for youth skiers.  Throughout this 2.7km loop are 6 mailboxes with cookies in them as an incentive for their skiing success.

• NO dogs allowed on the groomed ski trails at Nine Mile Forest.
• Free adult ski lessons are offered and will be announced as they are scheduled.
• Trails are groomed several times a week throughout the season and after each snow event.
• The ski trails never close because of cold weather but the chalet will. Nine Mile County Forest Recreation Area trails are open even if the chalet is closed.
• Cash, check or credit card payments accepted at the Nine Mile Chalet during open hours.
• After Hour Ski Passes are available to purchase at the self-registration station located in the chalet parking lot. Any person 12 years of age and older is required to have a pass if they show up to ski at Nine Mile after the chalet is closed for the day.
• Maintenance and operation of the Cross Country Ski Trails is not supported by tax dollars. Funding is provided by donations and trail fees.
• All the cross county ski trails are groomed by the Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department.

Visit your local cross country ski club website at Wausau Nordic Ski Club and find out how to join this active volunteer based organization today!

6.7 mile (10.75km) of groomed snowshoe trail is available to the public with the purchase of a daily or annual snowshoe trail pass, or annual cross country ski pass if you are also a skier. The 6.7 mile trail consists of 4k, 6k, 8k, and 10k loops for users enjoyment. 

Snowshoeing is also allowed at no charge throughout the woods, off the marked snowshoe route in all county forests and parks.

Wausau sledding hills are open when snow cover permits, open from sunrise to 11:00pm daily. There are no fees for the sledding hills.

Typically running from the middle of December to early March, Sylvan Hill is the only tubing hill in the Wausau area. This area includes six slopes down and two wire tows to pull you back up the hill. The west hill has a vertical drop of 133 feet. The east hill has a vertical drop of 120 feet. Tubing fees apply at youth and adult rates, discounts for groups. Private rental is available. 

For our season schedule, including our holiday hours view our Fall/Winter Recreation Guide.

• A minimum height restriction of 42” in order to tube. The height restriction ensures that tubers are of sufficient size to quickly exit the tubes and the landing area, thereby reducing potential collisions. Children less than 42 inches tall are not allowed to ride alone in a tube or to ride in the lap of an adult.
• No riding double on tubes. Multiple riders on the same tube may be at risk of impacting with other riders in the same tube. This includes holding small children on one’s lap.
• For safety reasons, you are required to use tubes provided by Sylvan Hill.

In addition to the tubing hill, the park includes a large Chalet with fireplace to warm up and a snack bar offering concessions. The only foods, snacks or beverages allowed on the main floor of the Chalet are those items that have been purchased at the Sylvan Chalet snack bar. Personal water bottles and infant formula are not included in these restrictions. There is a party room space that can be rented and reserved for individuals looking to book designated space for carry ins.  Other space is limited in the entire building; tables cannot be "saved" or "reserved" and are open for use any time they are not occupied.

For the safety of the patrons and our staff, Sylvan Tubing Hill will be closed when temperatures or wind chills are below zero. For up to date information on any closings please visit our Facebook or the main news area on our Department webpage.

Party Room

Reserve this party room in the downstairs area of the chalet for your upcoming visit during public tubing to have private space and the ability to carry in your own food and beverages. No alcohol is allowed in the party room. No food or lift tickets are included in the rental. Room must be reserved 3 days prior. Room capacity is 32 people. Includes chairs, tables, outlets, countertop area. Check availability and reserve the party room on our CivicRec Website.

Private Tubing Rentals

The tubing hill may be rented by groups during non-public tubing hours, please see information for private tubing rentals here.

Fees