Nine Mile County Forest
Marathon County, Wisconsin
Nine Mile County Forest is the crown jewel of Marathon County's parks system — a 4,897-acre multi-use forest just southwest of Wausau offering over 30 miles of trails for mountain biking, fat tire biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and horseback riding. The ski chalet at the main trailhead provides rentals, warming area with wood stove, and lighted trails until 9 PM nightly during ski season. Nine Mile hosts major mountain bike races including the Wausau 24. Trails range from beginner to expert with 13.45 miles of singletrack and 20 miles of wide cross-country ski trails.
Miles
34 mi
Difficulty
Varies
Groomed
Yes
Fee
Required
Don't Miss
Nine Mile is the crown jewel of the Marathon County parks system — one of central Wisconsin's most complete multi-sport trail facilities. Lighted ski trails until 9 PM nightly, the famous Cookie Trail Loop for youth skiers, and major mountain bike races like the Wausau 24 make Nine Mile a year-round destination just 5 miles from downtown Wausau.
Trail Systems
Mountain Bike / Summer Trails
13.45 miles of singletrack ranging from beginner to expert including the popular Yin/Yang loop (intermediate), Stone Soup (advanced/rocky), and newer machine-built trails with berms and rollers. Also includes 20 miles of wide cross-country ski trails usable as summer riding. Hosts major races including the Wausau 24. Open May 1 through October 15. Trail fee applies for riders 12 and older.
Trailheads
- 📍Main Chalet — 221700 Red Bud Road, Marathon County WI (off Co. Hwy KK, Springbrook, Hollywood, or Red Bud Roads)
📞 Marathon County Parks — marathoncounty.gov | CWOCC mountain bike club — cwocc.org
Cross-Country Ski Trails
18.3 miles (30 km) of double-tracked groomed trails with skating lane. Beginner to difficult. Open December 15 through March 15. 3.9 miles of trails lighted nightly until 9 PM. Cookie Trail Loop for youth skiers features 6 mailboxes with cookies along the 2.7km route. Rentals and passes at the chalet. Trail pass required.
Trailheads
- 📍Main Chalet — 221700 Red Bud Road, rentals and passes available
📞 Marathon County Parks — marathoncounty.gov | Snow conditions: 888-575-SNOW (7669)
Fat Tire Bike Trails (Winter)
7.6 miles of groomed winter fat bike trails. Set tire pressure between 3.5 and 5 PSI. Studded tires recommended for better traction. Trails groomed for flowing winter riding.
Trailheads
- 📍Main Chalet — 221700 Red Bud Road
📞 Marathon County Parks — marathoncounty.gov | CWOCC — cwocc.org
Snowshoe Trails
6.7 miles of groomed snowshoe trails in 4k, 6k, 8k, and 10k loops. Daily or annual snowshoe trail pass required. Snowshoeing also allowed at no charge throughout the woods off the marked route.
Trailheads
- 📍Main Chalet — 221700 Red Bud Road
📞 Marathon County Parks — marathoncounty.gov
Rules & Regulations
- Trail fee required for mountain biking for riders 12 and older — $4 daily, $25 annual
- Ski trail pass required — purchase at chalet, daily and annual passes available
- Snowshoe trail pass required for marked groomed route — free snowshoeing off-route in woods
- Trails open May 1 through October 15 for summer use (conditions dependent)
- Ski/fat bike season December 15 through March 15
- No dogs on designated groomed cross-country ski trails
- Skijoring (skiing pulled by dogs) prohibited on ski trails
- Camping allowed with permit issued in advance by Forest Administrator
- Hunting occurs early and late season — be aware of logging operations that may affect trail access
Trailer Parking
| Location | Address | Trail Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main Chalet Parking Area | 221700 Red Bud Road, Marathon County WI — large formal parking area | All trail systems — main hub with chalet, restrooms, rentals, warming area |
ATV / UTV Clubs
- 🏍️Marathon County Parks, Recreation and Forestry — marathoncounty.gov
- 🏍️Central Wisconsin Offroad Cycling Coalition (CWOCC) — cwocc.org (maintains and develops mountain bike trails) — cwocc.org
- 🏍️Wausau Nordic — wausaunordic.org (cross-country ski information) — wausaunordic.org
While You're Here
- Rib Mountain State Park — downhill skiing and hiking with panoramic views of central Wisconsin
- Wausau — full-service city with restaurants, lodging, gear shops 5 miles from trailhead
- Mountain-Bay State Trail — 83-mile rail trail from Weston to Green Bay, Marathon County section 18 miles
- Sylvan Hill Mountain Bike Park — new all-ability bike park in Wausau built by CWOCC
Official Resources
Location
Quick Facts
- County
- Marathon County
- Trail Types
- Hiking, XC Ski, Fat Biking, Snowshoeing
- Total Miles
- 34 miles
- Difficulty
- Varies
- Season
- spring, summer, fall, winter
- Groomed
- Yes
- Fee
- Yes