HomeWisconsinWausau › Nine-Mile Forest Recreation Area | Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

Nine-Mile Forest Recreation Area | Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

4.7 ★★★★★ 107 Google reviews · Running trail in Wausau, Wisconsin · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Nine-Mile Forest Recreation Area | Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Natural surfaceOpen 24hScenicFlat & fast

Well-maintained park offering mountain biking, skiing and snowshoeing.

What runners say about Nine-Mile Forest Recreation Area | Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (107 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Well maintained Mtb trails with a variety of skill levels.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 9 mentions

“Give yourself a real treat and get out there for a ride, absolutely beautiful!”

Started going here for my daughter’s mountain bike club (for little kiddos) and our whole family is hooked. Phenomenal trails and the location is just beautiful. We are so lucky to have this county park!

★★★★★ — Kirstie , Jun 2022

We have done the cross country ski trails here, but the snowshoe trail is also a lot of fun. I have posted several pictures below of the snowshoe trail taken in 2017 when there was actually a lot of snow

★★★★★ — James , Apr 2018

Well maintained and lots of terrain variety. From chunky technical to pure flow, you can fine a segment to suit your skill and ambition.

★★★★★ — Terry , Jul 2024

Nine mile is such a fun place to mountain bike. It’s beautiful with a variety of trails for different skill levels. At the beginning of each summer there’s an awesome inexpensive program for kids to learn to mountain bike.

★★★★★ — Tiffany , Jul 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 107 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 9 mentions

“Give yourself a real treat and get out there for a ride, absolutely beautiful!”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 5 mentions

“From chunky technical to pure flow, you can fine a segment to suit your skill and ambition.”

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Flat & fast 2 mentions

“I rode the fun, (mostly) intermediate level, single-track mountain bike trails.”

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Plan your run at Nine-Mile Forest Recreation Area | Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • Websitemarathoncounty.gov
  • Phone(715) 693-3001

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Nine-Mile Forest Recreation Area | Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

221700 Red Bud Rd, Wausau, WI 54401

Get directions

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.