 |
 |
|
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
FishingDo you like to fish? What better way to relax and leave your cares behind than to dip your line in the waters of the Wausau Area? Lake Wausau may be one of the great undiscovered fisheries in the state, containing northern pike, walleyes, muskie and pan fish. Public boat landings in a number of locations offer easy access to this large body of water that winds around the southern part of the Wausau city limits. Each winter, a new suburb appears on the lake when ice fishing enthusiasts raise their shanties as soon as the ice will support them. Muskie fishermen have been known to take some real trophies from these waters. In the Town of Rib Mountain, the Rib River contains small-mouthed bass, walleyes, muskie and northern pike. The Wisconsin River is a prime fishing spot for muskie, northern pike, walleye and small-mouthed bass anglers. Several boat landings are located along the river at public parks. Fishing near the dam of Schofield Pond yields walleyes, crappies and other pan fish. The Eau Claire River, feeding the Schofield Pond, boasts great bass fishing. Lake DuBay, just south of Wausau off U.S. Highway 51, is best known for pan fish and northern pike. If you're in search of walleye or pan fish, the Eau Pleine Reservoir ranks high with area fishermen. There are several other small lakes within a twenty-mile radius of the Wausau Area. Mission, Pike and Mayflower are the larger of these lakes holding northern, walleyes and pan fish. Fishing licenses can be purchased from the Department of Natural Resources at 5301 Rib Mountain Drive in the Town of Rib Mountain, Monday-Friday: 7:45 am-4:30 pm, or at most area retail outlets that sell fishing tackle or bait. Anyone over the age of 16 is required to have a valid fishing license in the state of Wisconsin.Kayaking
The same rapids that first provided power to the lumber mills of Wausau's early settlers have now become the site of world-class whitewater kayak and canoe competitions. The unique Wausau course combines a natural riverbed and vertical drop with dam-controlled waterflow. It offers a consistent level of difficulty independent of wet or dry weather. The added bonus of a downtown course with spectator seating makes it a popular choice for white-water enthusiasts. Wausau's whitewater program has been named a Center of Excellence by the United States Canoe and Kayak Team making it a top U.S. Training site. In 2000, the Wausau whitewater course will host the Slalom/Mid America Series Race #1 and the Wausau Freestyle Kayak championship. For more information and the event schedule, please check out the events calendar or the Wausau Kayak & Canoe Corporation web site. HuntingThe 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, the County Clerk's office in Marathon County Courthouse and at many retail outlets selling guns and hunting equipment. Complete Wisconsin hunting regulations may be picked up where licenses are sold.BikingBicyclists enjoy a wide variety of terrain in the Wausau Area. There are many miles of paved city, county and town roads providing hard-surfaced routes for novice to skilled riders. The Wausau Wheelers, a local biking club, sponsor regularly scheduled rides for both mountain and touring enthusiasts. Nine Mile Recreation Area is open for mountain biking from May 1 through October 15. Both cross-country and snowmobiling trails are marked and mowed during the summer months to provide over 43 km of varying terrain for biking enthusiasts. Silent Sports magazine calls the Nine Mile area "...a wonderful place as a mountain biking destination." Bike trail maps can be found online at Subject: Nine Mile County Forest Recreation Area Bike, Horse, & Ski Trails and Mountain Bay Trail, write or call the Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department, 212 River Drive, Suite 2, Wausau, WI 54403-5476, 715-261-1550.Horseback RidingIf you're interested in single horsepower transportation, you'll find several options available in the Wausau Area. Equestrians can meander through quiet fields and woods at a leisurely pace on horseback. If you want to enjoy the old-fashioned fun of a sleigh or hay ride, a number of farms can hitch up teams for your family or group. Contact the Wausau/Central Wisconsin Convention & Visitor Bureau for more information about specific privately owned and operated services available. Equestrian trail maps for several Marathon County Parks and Forest Units can be found here.BowlingAny time of year, you can enjoy family fun at one of the five full-service bowling centers in the Wausau Area. With a total of more than 100 lanes, many with automatic scoring, you'll be able to roll a few games in temperature controlled comfort. There's fun for every age with special bumper bowling available at many of the centers. Several centers also have attached recreation centers with pool tables and video games as well as full-service lounges for the beverage of your choice.Golf
Camping FacilitiesRIB MOUNTAIN STATE PARK Location: Four miles southwest of Wausau on Rib Mountain Drive. LAKE DUBAY SHORES CAMPGROUND Location: (privately owned) One mile west of Hwy. 51 on Hwy. 34 between
Stevens Point and Wausau. For County Parks listed below contact: Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department, 212 River Drive, Suite 2, Wausau, WI 54403-5476 (715) 261-1550 DELLS OF THE EAU CLAIRE PARK (County) Location: On Hwy. Y about 15 miles east of Wausau. MARATHON PARK (County) Location: Stewart Avenue, Wausau. BIG EAU PLEINE PARK (County) Location: About 18 miles southwest of Wausau. Take Hwy. 153 west of Mosinee
to Eau Pleine Park Road and turn south 3.5 miles. A group campsite is available and can accommodate up to 200 people. Reservations must be made in advance through the Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department, 212 River Drive, Suite2 Wausau 54403-5476. Fall Colorama From mid-September through the middle of October, Marathon County comes alive with a blaze of dazzling color. Brilliant hues of orange, red and yellow characterize the Fall season. To get the most of this breathtaking sight, try these areas: RIB MOUNTAIN STATE PARKThe view of the Wisconsin River Valley from the 60-foot observation tower at the top of the mountain rates as a must-see during the Fall Color season. For more information, contact Rib Mountain State Park at 715-842-2522.OAK ISLAND PARKLocated on the east side of Wausau right on the Wisconsin River.BIG EAU PLEINE PARKA peninsula in the Eau Pleine Reservoir, it encompasses 1450 wooded acres.DELLS OF THE EAU CLAIRE PARKListed as a Scientific Area by the state of Wisconsin, Dells of the Eau Claire has many examples of rare plants and unique geology.HIGHWAY 51 BETWEEN WAUSAU AND MERRILLIf you'd rather drive than walk, take your car and head north toward Merrill. Wooded hills border the road and there are several spectacular vantage points.Marathon County Parks
CurlingA 300 year old sport that originated in Scotland found a niche in the Wausau Area more than 70 years ago on area lakes and stream. Today the Wausau Curling Club is located in Marathon County Park, is home to more than 300 local area members and host bonspiels (tournaments) many weekends from early November through late March. Today curling is an Olympic sport with teams competing in events around the world. But the heart of curling is its social club play. Teams of four take to the ice at the Wausau Curling Club to slide 42 pounds "stones" into a target area called "the house." Points are tallied for the team with the stones closest to the center of the house. There are leagues for Rookies, Men's teams, Women's teams, and Open and Mixed teams. Seniors play three mornings a week during the season. The club also hosts all three local high school teams for weekly practice and league and tournament play. There is something for everyone in this rapidly growing participation sport. It’s said curling is 80 percent social and interested newcomers and visitors are welcome to watch the weekly games Monday through Friday or during the many bonspiels. Visit the Wausau Curling Club's website for a calendar of events and specific information, or phone 715-842-3614. Snowmobiling The county coordinator constantly monitors the grooming, snow depths and signage, making sure all trails are well-maintained throughout the season. Many trails interconnect with other systems in the state for hundreds of additional miles to ride. A number of area motels also offer access from their grounds. A free trail map with gas, food and comfort stops marked is available from the Wausau/Central Wisconsin Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Rib Mountain Travel Center and the coordinator's office at 212 River Drive, Suite #2. You can check on snow and trail conditions online or by calling 1-888-948-4748 or locally 355-8788. SnowshoeingAnother winter sport you may like to try in our area is snowshoeing. With all of the trails through woods and parks, it's the perfect sport for enjoying area wildlife and scenery. Snowshoeing makes an excellent family sport for any level of athletic ability. Many area rental and sport shops have sets of snowshoes for sale or rent at reasonable rates.Cross-Country SkiingThink about rolling uplands smoothed by glaciers, covered by 360,000 acres of timber, with bluffs cut by the Wisconsin River. Add a deep blanket of snow and you have some of the best cross-country skiing in the state. Beginner or advanced skier, you can find a trail to suit your skill level in the Wausau Area. Map boards are posted at each site, showing the trails and their difficulty. Complete maps are also available from the Wausau/Central Wisconsin Convention & Visitors Bureau or at the Nine Mile Chalet. The only course requiring a pass is at the Nine Mile County Forest Recreation Area, although donation boxes have been posted at each trail to cover grooming and other maintenance costs. Trails are groomed by the Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department in cooperation with the Wausau Nordic Skiers, Inc. NINE-MILE COUNTY FOREST RECREATION Difficulty: Beginner to Expert Length: 20 miles (33 km); loops from .5 mile to 9.6 miles Grooming: Frequently groomed 8' wide skating lane and machine set double tracks on all trails. Location: Take County Hwy. "N" 3.5 miles west from US Hwy "51" (just south of Wausau). Turn south on Red Bud Road. 1.25 miles to trailhead area on west side of road. This heavily wooded trail, the best in the Wausau Area, offers a unique blend of forest types and scenic views. The well-groomed trail system has been widened to accommodate skaters and diagonal skiers. Trails have been designed to provide a challenge to skiers of all abilities. There is a trailhead building with indoor facilities and plenty of room for parking. The heated trailhead building provides a changing area, restrooms, a spacious lounging area, hou and cold drinks and ski equipment rentals. Rental services are available only during building hours. (see schedule) Trail fees (for trail grooming and maintenance) are required at Nine Mile County Forest Recreation Area. Season trail passes are available at the trailhead building, Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department, and at Wausau Area retail ski shops. Daily trail passes are available only at the trailhead building. Building hours at Nine-Mile during the ski season are: Mon.: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tue.-Fri.: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat.: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun.: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (Night skiing by lighted trails); Open all holidays. For fee schedule at Nine-Mile Forest call the Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department at 261-1550 or Nine-Mile Chalet at 715-693-3001. BIG EAU PLEINE PARK TRAIL Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate Length: Main loop is 7.0 miles (11 km) Location: Take State Hwy. "153" 7.5 miles west of US Hwy "51" (Mosinee Exit). Turn south on Big Eau Pleine Park Road and follow 3.5 miles to park entrance. Continue in park 1 mile to parking area on left. One of the most remote trails in Marathon County, this trail travels through the beautiful wooded land of Big Eau Pleine County Park, a peninsula which juts into the Eau Pleine Reservoir. The trail generally follows the shoreline, and the terrain is rolling and wooded - a lovely area away from the crowd. This trail system is no longer groomed, but the public is welcome to ski on the trails. SYLVAN HILL/AMERICAN LEGION Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate Length: 3.0 miles (4.8 km) Grooming: Frequently groomed 8' wide skating lane on American Legion Golf Course, regularly machine set double tracks on all trail loops. Location: On Wausau's northeast side. Take North Sixth Street (Cty. Hwy. "W") to Golf Club Road or Horseshoe Spring Road and turn right (east). Parking lots are available at either the Sylvan Chalet or the American Legion Clubhouse. A local favorite because of its in-town location, the trail adjoins the Sylvan Hill tubing hill area and chalet. The trail includes open stretches on the American Legion Golf Course and hilly, wooded sections in Sylvan Hill Park. Food and beverages are available at the American Legion Clubhouse and at the Sylvan Hill Ski Chalet. A donation is requested to help cover the cost of grooming. RINGLE TRAIL Difficulty: Beginner Length: Main loop is 3.4 miles (5.5 km) Location: Take State Hwy. 29 east of Wausau. Turn north on County Hwy. "Q". Turn east on Poplar Lane and follow 1.2 miles to parking area on south side of road. Great for beginners and for those who want to enjoy classical skiing across gently rolling terrain. This trail takes skiers through scenic hardwood forests and is considered by many to be a hidden gem. This trail system is no longer groomed, but the public is welcome to ski on the trails. Downhill SkiingIf you prefer the fast pace of the slopes, check out some of the great downhill skiing the Wausau Area has to offer. GRANITE PEAK at Rib Mountain State Park For information call (715) 845-2846 or go to skigranitepeak.com For snow conditions, call 1-888-948-4748 or 715-355-8788 24 hours a day. If you're still looking for things to do, check out these available facilities in the area:
Many of these are listed for you in this guide, but should you require more information, please feel free to call Wausau/Central Wisconsin Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-888-948-4748 or locally 355-8788. |
|
|
With
over 800 miles of groomed trails winding throughout Marathon County, snowmobiling
enthusiasts can find a variety of terrain and scenery unequaled anywhere in
the state of Wisconsin
Rib
Mountain State Park is fast becoming one of the premiere ski facilities in
the Midwest. With the highest vertical in Wisconsin, 624 feet, the Rib Mountain
runs range from the easy and meandering to the heart-stopping pitch of the
"slalom" course. A total of 13 runs, one over a mile long, means skiers can
experience a variety of fun at any ability level. Improved snow-making and
grooming equipment produce near perfect ski conditions throughout the season.
Professional instructors give lessons for all skill levels. Special events,
including the Badger State Winter Games take place here throughout the season.