Marathon County/Burma Road Trail

Just four miles west of Mosinee, the Burma Road Forest is a 1,480-acre haven for Central Wisconsin ATV enthusiasts.

Trailhead parking lots on both ends of the trail system afford quick and easy access. Free camping is offered at either trailhead with a permit from the Park, Recreation & Forestry Department. Restrooms at the northern trailhead are a bonus amenity.

Signage marks nine trail segments within the 11-mile system. The Burma Road Forest is one unit in the county’s 28,000-acre forest system. The forest  is managed for timber production, wildlife habitat, public hunting (October and November), and recreational uses. Filled with dense deciduous trees and stands of pines, the Burma Road Forest provides scenic and enjoyable riding for ATVers of every skill level.

Because these are essentially logging roads, some of the trails here are more than 10 feet wide. The packed dirt on the entire trail system produces a smooth ride and excellent traction for all ATVs. However, even with the packed dirt, there are a couple of sections adjacent to the trail that can hold standing water and mud.

With only eleven miles of trail, you’ll probably ride every inch of the Burma Road Forest more than once. As you do, you may encounter a variety of wildlife including whitetail deer, wild turkeys and ruffed grouse. For safety, the trail is closed during hunting season in October and November. It also is closed from mid-March through the end of April to allow the ground to dry during the spring thaw.

The Burma Road Forest stands at the confluence of the Wisconsin River and the Big Eau Pleine River. A dam on the Wisconsin River just below Marathon County created the 6,800-acre Big Eau Pleine Reservoir and 6,700-acre Lake Dubay – arguably the focus of water recreation and fishing in central Wisconsin. The Burma Road Forest is only two miles north of Big Eau Pleine County Park, a 2,050- acre peninsula on the north shore of the reservoir. The park offers 106 campsites, a swimming beach, boat launch and access to the Big Eau Pleine/Lake Dubay water paradise.

Just across the reservoir from the park is the George W. Mead State Wildlife Area (715/457-6771, www.meadwildlife.org). At 30,000 acres, it’s a bird watcher’s paradise boasting a bird list of 248 species. Good roads go to all parts of the property and hiking trails are numerous. The new Stanton W. Mead Education & Visitor Center demonstrates state-of-the-art green building technology.

Fifteen miles north of Mosinee, the greater Wausau area offers plenty of offmachine fun. Rib Mountain State Park (715/842-2522, www.wiparks.net) offers 30 additional campsite choices as well as spectacular views of the surrounding countryside from one of the state’s highest points. Marathon County is the world leader in the cultivation of ginseng. Most is exported to China. To learn more about this medicinal root, visit Hsu’s Ginseng Enterprises (800/826-1577, www.hsuginseng.com). The city’s Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum (715/845-7010, www.lywam.org) exhibits one of the finest collections of bird art in the world. The Marathon County Historical Museum on McIndoe Street (715/842-5750, www.marathoncountyhistory.com) is housed in the beautiful Victorian home of former lumber baron Cyrus Yawkey. The model railroad display is terrific. Additionally, Wausau offers many lodging, camping and dining options. All this and the Burma Road Forest ATV Trails to boot – what a ride!



DISTANCE: 11 miles.
DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate.
TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): South Lot – from Mosinee travel west 4 miles on Hwy 153 to lot on north side of road. North Lot – from Mosinee travel northwest 4.1 miles on Cty B, then west 2.4 miles on Burma Rd to lot on south side of road.
SEASON: The trail is closed in October, November and April.
FEES: None.
OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION: Lincoln County, Clark County and Jackson County trails.
NOTE: Trails are numbered with orange and brown ATV signs. Restrooms are available near the northern trailhead. ATVs cannot be operated on county roads.
CAUTION: Some trail sections may be closed periodically. Also, logging activity might be present.
AREA ATTRACTIONS: Rib Mountain State Park, Hsu’s Ginseng Enterprises, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, and Marathon County Historical Museum in Wausau; Big Eau Pleine County Park and the George W. Mead SWA near Mosinee.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Wausau/ Marathon County Parks,
Recreation & Forestry
715/261-1550
www.co.marathon.wi.us

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